(Added Danone, Bain Capital)
The following deals, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures were reported before 2030 GMT Wednesday:
** French food group Danone DANO.PA said it was in exclusive negotiations with Italian chocolatier Ferrero for the sale of its Michel et Augustin brand, whose biscuits, cheese and charcuterie adorn the shelves of French supermarkets.
** Bain Capital is the final bidder for software company SoftwareOne Holding AG SWON.S after other interested parties, including private equity firm Apax Partners, withdrew, said three people with knowledge of the matter. situation.
** TV18 Broadcast TVEB.NS , owned by Reliance India, will merge with Network18 Media & Investments NEFI.NS in a stock transaction, the two companies announced.
** Medical tools supplier Danaher DHR.N said it has completed the $5.7 billion acquisition of Abcam ABCZF.PK, overcoming initial opposition from the protein consumables maker’s founder .
** Japan’s Rakuten Group 4755.T said it plans to sell a major stake in Rakuten Bank 5838.T to foreign investors, its latest fundraising attempt as it grapples with heavy debt and losses in its mobile network unit.
** US private equity firm TA Associates is seeking to sell its roughly 20% minority stake in Vietnamese software provider MISA, which is estimated to be worth more than $500 million, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. ‘affair.
** Harmonic Drive Systems 6324.T , a Japanese maker of speed reducers, said Toyota Motor 7203.T will sell its entire stake in the company in the open market overseas.
** Midwest law firms Ulmer & Berne and Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale plan to merge, creating a “super-regional” firm of 275 attorneys, according to a news release Tuesday.