Express Scripts Could Acquire Medco As Early As Next Week

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Express Scripts Could Acquire Medco As Early As Next Week

Express Scripts, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESRX) plans to finalize the acquisition of Medco (NYSE:MHS) could happen as early as next week. Last year, both companies were in the midst of a merger agreement, however problems involving an antitrust law stalled the process as shareholders could not decide what steps to take next.

Just yesterday, it was reported that both Express Scripts and Medco have filed the paperwork for the acquisition to take place and it looks like it could become official in early April. This is a 360 degree turn from earlier Wall Street Journal reports which stated that the Federal Trade Commissions might halt the whole merger opportunity.

Express Scripts is a pharmaceutical beneficiary management company and it’s on the list of Fortune 100. They were acquired by New York Life Insurance over twenty years ago and later started public trading. Medco isn’t the only company Express Scripts bought up, they have previously merged with ValuRx, Diversified Pharmaceutical Services, and National Prescription Administrators. Although Walgreens dropped their partnership with them over financial disagreements, they still own over 79 pharmacy retailers and Sansus Corporation Health Systems.

Medco Health Solutions is a managed health care company that provides pharmaceutical services for both individual employers, companies, government agents, select people on Medicare, and labor unions. They are a member of the S&P 500 and last year’s Fortune 50(ranking at number 34). They bought up Accredo Health in 2005, Liberty Medical Supply Incorporated in 2007, and DNA Direct in 2010. A year before that, they launched a special program called Medco Research Institute.

As of current pre-market trading, Express Scripts shares increased by 4.3% and Medco’s increased by 5.3%.

Despite all the doubts people had about this pending merger, the plan is still going on strong. The acquisition should benefit both parties in the long run by saving them money, increase their profits, and the chance to make a bigger impact on the market.

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