Market Chatter-Corporate finance press digest (updated)

Talwalkars Better Value Fitness

27/03/2014 05:57

(Adds BYD Co) March 27 (Reuters) - The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media: * Baxter International Inc  BAX.N  is exploring a sale of its vaccines business, people familiar with the matter said. Baxter is yet another example of large healthcare companies seeking to sell or spin off smaller divisions so they can focus on their mainstay products and allocate capital better. ID:nL1N0MN152  * Warren Buffett-backed Chinese carmaker BYD Co Ltd 002594.SZ  plans to sell new stocks worth as much as 20 percent of its Hong Kong-listed shares, Bloomberg reported citing unidentified sources.  ID:nL4N0MO13J  * Dish Network Corp  DISH.O  Chief Executive Charlie Ergen recently contacted DirecTV  DTV.O  CEO Mike White to discuss a possible tie-up, Bloomberg reported citing sources familiar with the matter.  ID:nL1N0MN1FQ  * French conglomerate Bouygues SA  BOUY.PA  is searching for additional investors to further improve its offer to buy its larger French telecom rival Vivendi SA's  VIV.PA  SFR unit, two people familiar with the situation said on Wednesday. ID:nL5N0MN2FC  * Texas power generator Energy Future Holdings Corp TXEFHE.UL  is making a last ditch effort to reach a debt-restructuring deal with creditors before it seeks bankruptcy protection, the Wall Street Journal said quoting sources familiar with the matter.  ID:nL4N0MN495  * UK's health and fitness group The David Lloyd has begun talks with the management of Talwalkars Better Value Fitness TALW.NS  to acquire around 20 percent stake in the company, the Economic Times reported, citing two people with direct knowledge of the development. The company is currently valued at 4.17 billion rupees ($69.35 million) (http://r.reuters.com/vab97v) * Brookstone Inc  TEMSHB.UL , which sells consumer gadgets ranging from travel electronics to massage chairs, is preparing to file for bankruptcy protection as early as Sunday, with a plan in place to be bought by another specialty retailer, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. (http://link.reuters.com/deb97v) For the deals of the day click on  DEALS/  For the Morning News Call-EMEA newsletter click on EMEA/MNC  ($1 = 60.1300 Indian Rupees) (Compiled by Aastha Agnihotri in Bangalore) ((aastha.agnihotri@thomsonreuters.com)(within UK +44 20 7542 1810)(outside UK +91 806 749 7920)(Reuters Messaging: aastha.agnihotri.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: MARKET CHATTER/