Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Tuesday July 9, 2013 - InvestingChannel

Benzinga’s M&A Chatter for Tuesday July 9, 2013

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Tuesday July 9, 2013:

Kroger to Acquire Harris Teeter for $49.38/Share

The Deal:

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) and Harris Teeter Supermarkets (NYSE: HTSI) announced Tuesday that Kroger will purchase all outstanding shares of Harris Teeter for $49.38 per share in cash.

The merger is expected to close following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions including approval by Harris Teeter shareholders and regulatory approval.

Harris Teeter closed at $49.26 Tuesday, a gain of 1.5% on 27 times average volume.

Report SodaStream Seeking Buyer

The Rumor:

Shares of SodaStream International (NASDAQ: SODA) sold off Tuesday on a report from the NY Post that the Israel-based maker of home beverage carbonation systems has been unsuccessfully seeking a buyer. Pepsico (NYSE: PEP) CEO Indra Nooyi said there was no truth to a June 6 report that the company was in talks to acquire SodaStream.

A SodaStream spokesperson was not available for comment.

SodaStream closed at $61.95 Tuesday, a loss of 5% on 3 times average volume.

Report of Community Health Interest in Acquiring Health Management Associates

The Rumor:

Shares of both Health Management Associates (NYSE: HMA) and Community Health Systems (NYSE: CYH) surged higher Tuesday on a report from Reuters that Community Health has an interest in acquiring Health Management Associates. HCA Holdings (NYSE: HCA) and LifePoint Hospitals (NASDAQ: LPNT) were also mentioned as potential suitors.

A source at Health Management Associates told Benzinga they were unaware of talks between the two companies. A Community Health spokesperson was not available for comment. Health Management Associates closed at $16.75 Tuesday, a gain of 8% on 2.5 times average volume. Community Health Systems closed at $48.00, a gain of 4% on 2.5 times average volume. (c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Posted in: News, Rumors, M&A, Movers