Today BRK decided to announce their intention to purchase HNZ . The deal sums to 23 billion and involves both BRK and G3 capital. Furthermore, the firm is estimated to be taken out at $72.50. HNZ is the maker of the iconic red ketchup and Ore-Ida fries. Shares are currently trading above the proposed deal price, which could imply that other firms may be interested in jumping into the bidding action.

The lead bankers are JPM, LAZ and WFC.  The increase in financial activity can also mean larger fees for the investment banks, for in M&A it is feast of famine.

In related news, many other deals have gone through. DIS recently inked a deal with  NFLX. And  just this week, cmcsa and GE  finished talks about NBC universal.

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Mark Salerno
salerno.mark.a@gmail>

Paper bought 4500 CALD June 5 Calls for $.60 (1125 times usual volume) when stock was trading $4.66
Paper bought 2337 ARRS May 17.5 Calls for $.70 (8.5 times usual volume) when stock was trading $16.88
Paper bought 1632 DGI Feb 27.5 Calls for $.45 (5.0 times usual volume) when stock was trading $27.81
Paper bought 350 HNR Feb 10 Calls for $.20 (1.8 times usual volume) when stock was trading $9.44
Paper bought 19,450 DG Aug 50 Calls for $1.15 (7.0 times usual volume) when stock was trading $43.91

Paper bought 175 LNCO May 45 Puts for $1.50 (2.8 times usual volume) when stock was trading $37.18
Paper bought 845 LYV May 11 Puts (7.5 times usual volume) when stock was trading $10.61
Paper bought 3850 DNKN March 35 Puts for $.45 (3.0 times usual volume) when stock was trading $36.94
Paper bought 1270 ALR May 19 Puts (5.4 times usual volume) when stock was trading $.725
Paper bought 5000 LINE Jan 2014 30 Puts for $1.45 (2.9 times usual volume) when stock was trading $36.44 

Paper sold 16,514 MPEL March 21-23 Bear Call Spread for $.55 (4.2 times usual volume) when stock was trading $20.95
Paper bought 9000 AZN July 50 Calls for $.65 (7.6 times usual volume) when stock was trading $46.20
Paper bought 4500 CALD June 5 Calls for $.60 (1125 times usual volume) when stock was trading $4.66
Paper bought 7000 DF June 16 Calls and Sold June 12 Puts for $1.70 Debit (16.3 times usual volume) when stock was trading $16.93
Paper bought 19,450 DG Aug 50 Calls for $1.15 (7.0 times usual volume) when stock was trading $43.91