| Is a merger or acquisition a good move for your business right now? There are times when a merger or acquisition is a strategically sound choice for a business or institution that is trying to keep pace with market changes. Visa is in the process of acquiring Plaid, a fintech company that serves as the platform for banking and payment apps like Venmo. Jefferson Health Partners is exploring the purchase of an insurance provider, while several Blues are among investors in a generic pharma start-up. These moves will be lauded if successful; but sometimes, more ambitious ventures aren’t the answer. The FDA recently granted approval to a small company for its’ sensor technology, which appears to be contributing to the unwinding of a partnership among larger digital pharma competitors. If your business is considering a merger or acquisition, Asterion’s experienced staff can assist you in evaluating the merits of the transaction. When your business is struggling, who cares if the stock market is up? Although stock market performance is in record territory as the decade opens, there are signs of weakness across many sectors in domestic and global economies. From Trip Advisor to Jaguar, jobs are being cut. Retailers in fashion, home furnishings, and greeting cards are closing some or all of their locations. Bankruptcies rose significantly in the oil and gas sector in 2019, and regional grocers and fast food chains have filed bankruptcy in the first weeks of 2020. Even 23andme has had to cut staff due to a decline in sales. (Although we wonder whether some people have decided they’d rather not know, or share, what a DNA kit would reveal.) Whether you are looking for ways to improve the bottom line, planning for weaker sales, or hoping to survive in a turning economy, the consultants at Asterion are available to assist you. FYI Privacy continues slipping away; and add “smishing” to the list of scams to avoid. Trends We’re Watching There may be a robot judge in your future. On the Lighter Side: The Media/Food Connection Ben & Jerry’s newest ice cream flavor is “Netflix & Chill’d,” plus a Top Chef Quickfire restaurant has debuted in Philadelphia. Also, spring apparently needs its’ own Kit Kat now. What’s Puzzling Us: Why is Y2K in the news again? The Thread Recommends: Armchair Travel Take a digital tour of the Paris Musee’s collection, then view the winning submissions in the Ocean Art Photography collection. Spotlight on Mergers and Acquisitions Asterion, Inc. has experience in assisting businesses, funds, law firms and individuals before, during and after a merger or acquisition transaction. |
January 28, 2020