Catalent Surges on Takeover Rumors
Shares of Catalent (CTLT:US) are trading sharply higher this week after Bloomberg News reported that Danaher (NYSE:DHR) is interested in acquiring the New Jersey-based life science business.
Bloomberg reported that Danaher already made a bid for Catalent, which is reportedly based on a “significant premium” to the current market share price. As a result, Catalent shares opened about 25% higher on Monday.
“As a matter of company policy, Catalent does not comment on market rumors or speculation,” a representative said in an emailed statement to Bloomberg News.
The report is now helping Catalent shares to recover and trade at the highest levels since October last year. From September 2021 to October 2022, Catalent share price lost over 70% to hit the lowest levels seen since the pandemic.
The recent rally in Catalent stock price on takeover rumors means that Congress members Susie Lee and her former colleague Kurt Schrader missed out on the opportunity to capitalize on the rally.
Congresswoman Lee, the United States representative for Nevada's 3rd congressional district since 2019, sold CTLT stock on November 30 when it closed at $50.13 a share. Similarly, Rep. Schrader, the former U.S. representative for Oregon's 5th congressional district from 2009 to 2023, sold some Catalent shares on November 21, when they closed at $41.89 per share.
On the other hand, Congressman Ro Khanna was buying the stock in early November when it was trading in the low $40s. Catalent shares are trading around $70 a share in early Monday trading.
