Reuters - Business Today

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Monday, December 18, 2017

Stock futures gain on rising tax bill hopes, corporate dealmaking

(Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were higher on Monday, set to push Wall Street to new records, buoyed as the long-awaited tax overhaul plan looked set for legislation and by a flurry of year-end dealmaking topping $10 billion so far.

Campbell Soup to buy snacks maker Snyder's-Lance for $4.87 billion

(Reuters) - Campbell Soup Co will buy Pretzels and Cape Cod chips maker Snyder's-Lance Inc for $4.87 billion as it looks to expand its snack business amid sagging soup sales.

Casino operator Penn National to buy Pinnacle in $2.8 billion deal

(Reuters) - U.S. casino operator Penn National Gaming Inc said on Monday it would buy Pinnacle Entertainment Inc in a cash and stock deal valued at about $2.8 billion to create a larger-scale gaming platform.

Hershey to buy Amplify Snack in $1.6 billion bet on healthy snacks

(Reuters) - U.S. candy maker Hershey Co said on Monday it would buy SkinnyPop popcorn maker Amplify Snack Brands in a deal valued at $1.6 billion, including debt, to gain a firmer footing in the fast-growing market for healthy snacks.

CSX falls on CEO death; investors seek turnaround clarity

(Reuters) - CSX Corp's shares fell as much as 5 percent on Monday as the death of Chief Executive Hunter Harrison left investors worried about the No.3 U.S. railroad's turnaround plan under acting CEO Jim Foote.

Thai beer magnate extends SE Asia push with $4.8 billion Sabeco deal

Ho CHI MINH CITY/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Thai Beverage has won an auction to buy a majority stake worth $4.84 billion in Vietnam's top brewer Sabeco , a lofty deal that adds a major asset to the beer-to-property empire of Thai magnate Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.

Apple ups iPhone prices in India as tax increase makes imports costlier

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Apple Inc has increased the prices of most of its iPhone models sold in India after the government last week raised taxes on imported phones in a bid to boost domestic manufacturing.

Thales' 4.8 billion-euro bid for Gemalto gets thumbs up from investors

PARIS (Reuters) - Shares in defense group Thales rose on Monday after chipmaker Gemalto accepted the French company's 4.8 billion euro ($5.66 billion) takeover bid to create a leader in digital security.

Workers at Israel's Teva Pharm block roads, continue protest over job cuts

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Workers at Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries protested pending job cuts for a second straight day on Monday, blocking roads and shutting down a number of the drugmaker's plants nationwide.

Nestle sells two iced tea brands in North America

ZURICH (Reuters) - Nestle has sold two of its iced tea brands in North America as the world's biggest food maker presses ahead with reshaping its business to focus on new trends and consumer healthcare.