Deals of the Hour

Trying to find out what's the deal with the world, tracking what's on sale and who's talking about it on Twitter. Update hourly.

Deals of the Hour / August 17, 2010, 1:39 pm

Aviva officially rejects RSA offer

Insurer Aviva PLC has officially rejected a 5 billion pound ($7.8 billion) cash offer from rival RSA Insurance Group PLC for the bulk of its general insurance businesses in Britain, Ireland and Canada. In a statement ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-08-16T08:57:05Z)

D'backs rescind deal with first pick Loux

Texas A&M pitcher Barret Loux, the sixth overall pick in the June MLB draft, believed he had an agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks to sign for $2 million when he and his parents visited Chase Field in Phoenix ... (Source: YAHOO! 2010-08-02T23:54:09Z)

Reynolds Group To Buy Pactiv for $6B

Pactiv Corp. ( PTV ), maker of Hefty garbage bags, said Tuesday that it will be acquired by food and beverage packaging company Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd. for $6 billion. The deal calls for Pactiv ... (Source: FOXBusiness 2010-08-17T18:50:02Z)

US STOCKS-Wall Street buoyed by earnings, deal talk

NEW YORK, Aug 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday as earnings from major retailers and a $39 billion takeover bid in the agriculture sector restored optimism about the profit outlook. Growth prospects also ... (Source: Inside Fidelity 2010-08-17T20:08:46Z)

Potash Corp rejects BHP Billiton's $39 bln bid

TORONTO (Reuters) - BHP Billiton launched an unsolicited $38.6 billion bid for Potash Corp in a deal that would make the Australian mining giant the world's leading fertilizer supplier. The acquisition offer -- the ... (Source: FOXBusiness 2010-08-17T18:50:02Z)

Westbrook signs with 49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers have signed free-agent running back Brian Westbrook to a one-year deal, giving Westbrook the second chance he's been seeking. Westbrook has been looking to find a ... (Source: Delaware Online 2010-08-17T19:11:30Z)

D-backs to get comp pick for FA-to-be Loux

The Draft deadline may have passed Monday night, but there were still some loose ends being tied up Tuesday morning in the case of the Arizona Diamondbacks and their first-round pick, Barret Loux. According to ... (Source: Philadelphia Phillies 2010-08-17T19:18:40Z)

Grotech Ventures Announces Sale of United BioSource to Medco Health

Grotech Ventures, a leading early investor in high-potential technology companies and one of the longest-established firms in the venture industry, announced today that Medco Health Solutions, Inc. has agreed to acquire ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-08-17T13:56:33Z)

Medco to acquire United BioSource for $710M

Medco Health Solutions Inc., the largest pharmacy benefits manager by revenue in the United States, has agreed to buy closely held United BioSource Corp. for $730 million in an all-cash deal. Medco operates an automated ... (Source: Ibj.com 2010-08-16T13:57:44Z)

Lt. Col. Fehrenbach moves to get full hearing in Idaho federal court

An aviator has reached an agreement with the U.S. Air Force to temporarily block his discharge under the "don't ask, don't tell" law that bars openly gay and lesbian military members from military service. The ... (Source: Idaho Statesman 2010-08-17T04:59:40Z)

Dell to buy storage provider 3Par for $1.13B

SEATTLE – Dell Inc.'s purchase of a storage provider for $1.13 billion marks another step in the personal computer industry's quest to expand into more profitable businesses. As PC prices have plummeted in recent years ... (Source: YAHOO! 2010-08-17T12:44:58Z)

RSA Open To Talks With Aviva On Offer - Update

(RTTNews) - RSA Insurance Group plc (RSA: News ,RSA.L: News ) Monday said it was open to discussions with British insurance provider Aviva Plc (AV: News ,AV.L: News ) regarding a possible transaction involving Aviva ... (Source: RTT News 2010-08-16T15:37:57Z)

BHP Billiton Launches $39 Billion Bid for Potash Corp

TORONTO (Reuters) - BHP Billiton launched an unsolicited $38.6 billion bid for Potash Corp in a deal that would make the Australian mining giant the world's leading fertilizer supplier. The acquisition offer ... (Source: ABC News 2010-08-17T17:31:17Z)

Hefty Trash Bag Maker Pactiv (PTV) Acquired In $6 Billion Deal

Pactiv Corp. (NYSE: PTV ), the maker of Hefty brand trash bags, said Tuesday that it has agreed to be acquired by Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd. in a deal worth roughly $4.4 billion, or around $6 billion including debt ... (Source: StreetInsider.com 2010-08-17T15:58:14Z)

UPDATE:BHP Billiton Seen Raising Offer For Potash Corp-Analysts

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) is likely to make an improved second offer after its $38.56 billion unsolicited takeover bid to buy Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. (POT, POT.T) was rejected Tuesday as ... (Source: NASDAQ 2010-08-17T19:32:59Z)

Pactiv to be bought by Reynolds; shares rally

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Pactiv Corp., the maker of Hefty trash bags, said early Tuesday that it would be acquired by Rank Group's Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd. subsidiary in a deal valued at $6 billion. Shares of ... (Source: Investors Business Daily 2010-08-17T16:55:30Z)

Dell to buy 3Par for $1.13 billion

Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas, expects the deal to add to its adjusted profit in fiscal 2012. It says it also plans to invest in added engineering and sales resources at 3Par. The deal has been approved by ... (Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer 2010-08-17T10:57:35Z)

Stocks flat as malaise persists and investors play it safe

NEW YORK -- Stocks managed to break a four-day losing streak yesterday by the slimmest of margins. Investors had no change of heart about the economy, however, and again poured money into the safety of Treasurys. The Dow ... (Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2010-08-17T18:35:43Z)

Purdy: 49ers' signing of Brian Westbrook is well-grounded

The 49ers are going for it. In six words, that sums up the Brian Westbrook deal. Last week, the 49ers lost backup running back Glen Coffee when he suddenly retired, citing his religious beliefs. But in ... (Source: Inside Bay Area 2010-08-17T14:32:20Z)

Stocks Buoyed by Earnings, Deal Talk

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose on Tuesday as earnings from major retailers and a $39 billion takeover bid in the agriculture sector restored optimism about the profit outlook. Growth prospects also improved ... (Source: ABC News 2010-08-17T20:08:46Z)

Aviator reaches deal to halt discharge — for now

An Idaho aviator has reached an agreement with the U.S. Air Force to temporarily block his discharge under the "don't ask, don't tell" law that bars openly gay and lesbian military members from service. The ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-08-16T23:01:45Z)

Now on Deck: Blue Jays land first-rounder McGuire, three other tough signs

TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays landed first-round pick Deck McGuire and three other top selections late Monday night, sneaking the deals through in a mad scramble just ahead of the midnight deadline for ... (Source: Canada East 2010-08-17T14:18:01Z)

Medco Health Buying United BioSource for $730 Million

Medco Health Solutions Inc. (NYSE: MHS) has agreed to acquire United BioSource , a Bethesda, Md.-based scientific and medical affairs organization. The all-cash deal is valued at around $730 million. United BioSource has ... (Source: Private Equity Hub 2010-08-16T13:50:34Z)

D-backs to get comp pick for Free Agent-to-be Loux

The Draft deadline may have passed Monday night, but there were still some loose ends being tied up Tuesday morning in the case of the Arizona Diamondbacks and their first-round pick, Barret Loux. According to a ... (Source: KBTX.com 2010-08-17T19:40:08Z)

49ers sign running back Brian Westbrook

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have signed free agent running back Brian Westbrook to a one-year deal, giving Westbrook the second chance he's been seeking. Westbrook has been looking to ... (Source: Reno Gazette 2010-08-17T08:34:25Z)

Aviator reaches deal to halt discharge _ for now

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - An Idaho aviator has reached an agreement with the U.S. Air Force to temporarily block his dischargeunder the "don't ask, don't tell" law that bars openly gay and lesbian military members from service ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-08-16T23:51:52Z)

Bryce Harper, Nationals agree to $9.9M deal

Just like last year, the Washington Nationals and agent Scott Boras agreed to a contract for baseball's top draft pick with just a few seconds to spare. Jae C. Hong, File AP Photo FILE - This June 7, 2010 ... (Source: Tacoma News Tribune 2010-08-17T18:14:14Z)

Dell to buy storage systems provider 3Par for $1.13 billion

Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas, said Monday it expects the deal to add to its adjusted profit in fiscal 2012. It says it also plans to invest in added engineering and sales resources in 3Par. The deal has ... (Source: Los Angeles Times 2010-08-16T11:20:15Z)

Aviva: Offer from RSA Group would not benefit shareholders

London, England — Insurer Aviva PLC said Monday it rejected a $7.8 billion cash offer from rival RSA Insurance Group PLC for some of its general insurance businesses because the deal wasn't in the best ... (Source: Des Moines Register 2010-08-17T09:46:00Z)

Blue Jays sign 1st-round pick Deck McGuire, 3 other draft choices

TORONTO — The Blue Jays signed first-round draft pick Deck McGuire, agreeing to a minor league contract with a $2 million bonus. McGuire's deal was completed Monday at 11:59 p.m., while second-rounder Griffin Murphy ... (Source: Washington Examiner 2010-08-17T16:41:11Z)

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