CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS) has reportedly triggered fresh sector consolidation with a US$66bn move for Aetna, America’s third largest health insurer.
The touted US$200 per share offer is said to have been made earlier this month, though earlier negotiations reportedly began several months ago and a formal transaction is expected to be another few weeks away.
READ: Hartford Financial to acquire life and disability business assets from Aetna
It comes after Aetna earlier this year spurned a possible deal for health insurance rival Humana Inc, amid push-back from competition regulators – the combination of the pharmacy operator and a health insurer opens a corporate route to growth without the antitrust problems.