IMS Health, Inc. Surges 16% On Potential Buyout Deal

IMS Health Inc. (NYSE: RX) is surging in the pre-market approximately 16% as it is nearing a deal to sell itself to private-equity firm TPG and the Canada Pension Plan in a deal that could have a value of almost $4 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

If the deal goes through, this would be the largest leverage buyout of the year..

IMS Health provides sales analysis and medical audits to the pharmaceutical industry, has been the target of a second-round bidding process from several private-equity funds, which could alter TPG bid or force that fund to pay more, said the Journal.

IMS is said to be looking at a bid in the low $20-per-share range, which would value the company at nearly $4 billion.

If the board goes ahead with the deal it could be announced as soon as today.