Bayer AG’s failure to identify weaknesses in Merck & Co.’s over the counter drug business before it bought it in 2014 sets a problematic precedent for its latest acquisition, an M&A expert told me today. Why? Read my piece for the Wall Street Journal’s CFO Journal.
New Rolls-Royce CFO Faces tricky accounting, WSJ
Pile of debts awaits new Anglo American CFO, WSJ
After Paying Off Debt, Lanxess will take on more, WSJ
Corporate Bond Buying attracts doubts as growth tool, WSJ
No firefighting but fundamental changes ahead for new BMW CFO, WSJ
Bayer moving out its comfort zone with Monsanto bid, WSJ
75 % debt financing, a rights issue plus a potential downgrade: In my first story for the Wall Street Journal’s CFO Journal, I take a closer look at why Bayer’s financing for the Monsanto takeover marks a departure from its typical, conservative approach to acquisition funding.
European Corporate Investment May Lag Despite ECB Bond Buying, WSJ
The ECB today decided to keep interest rates and its asset purchasing program unchanged. For the Wall Street Journal’s CFO Journal, I have spoken to companies about what the ECB’s corporate bond buying means for them – and their appetite for M&A, share buy-backs and further expansion.
Tesco Still Needs to Overhaul Corporate Practices, WSJ
Three former employees of Tesco PLC have been charged for false accounting. For the Wall Street Journal’s CFO Journal, I have spoken to a management expert about whether the supermarket chain has managed to improve its corporate culture since the scandal broke in 2014.
Early Culture Clash Dooms Linde-Praxair Deal, WSJ
Linde and Praxair have called off their merger talks, barely four weeks after the start. For the Wall Street Journal’s CFO Journal, I asked corporate governance experts why this is such a rare move.