The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act for Actavis’ pending acquisition of Allergan. The close of business record date has been set for January 22, 2015 for shareholder meetings.

The two companies combined will create one of the top 10 global growth pharmaceuticals with expected revenue of $23 billion in 2015.

Read the full press release here: http://agn.client.shareholder.com/releaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=890722

 

 

Carl Zeiss Meditech, the surgical equipment and solutions group affiliated with Carl Zeiss AG, posted a modest 3% revenue gain in the financial year ending 2014, notwithstanding unfavourable currency affects and competitive pressures.

Total sales reached $1.278 billion CND, a slight increase from the $1.275 billion in the prior year. Profits before taxes were up 13.3%. Sales of the ophthalmic division declined 4.6% to $524 million CDN, due to strong competitiveness in the diagnostic equipment industry.

Overall Research and Development expenditures reached 11% of revenue, the highest level in three years. The group plans to make even further increases in R&D spending targeted in the ophthalmic surgical business even at the expense of short-term profitability.

The Americas region is the only one to have experienced a decline, with a drop in revenue of 9.4%, about 1/3 of which was due to currency changes.

Carl Zeiss Meditech has nearly 3,000 world-wide employees and is 65% held by Carl Zeiss AG, one of the world’s leading optical and optoelectronic corporations.

For more information: http://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/Meditec/downloads/pdf/press-releases/czm_2014_qiv_en.pdf

 

ZEISS posted a modest 2% revenue gain in the financial year 2013/2014, notwithstanding unfavourable currency effects and competitive pressures.

Sales totalled more than $6 billion CDN, a slight increase from the $5.885 billion in the prior year. Profits before taxes were up 14%, to $505 million CDN.

Sales of Carl Zeiss Vision declined 6%, from $1.181 billion CDN to $1.068 billion CDN.

According to Dr. Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG, the stagnation of the world economy could slow the Group’s global growth down in 2014/2015. Dr. Kaschke still expects an overall stable development in revenue and profits.

For more information: http://www.zeiss.com/corporate/en_de/media-forum/press-releases.html?id=D4FF860D6FEBEF64C1257DB10026DBE2

 

Harley-Davidson and Marcolin have extended their eyewear licensing agreement for another four years.

The agreement is for the design, production and distribution of Harley-Davidson sunglasses and optical frames.

The partnership initially launched with Viva International Group in 1994 has been expanded to include the Marcolin Group. Marcolin acquired Viva International in 2013. http://www.marcolin.com/

For further information, click HERE.