Wall Street's M&A Chatter From March 9

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Thursday, March 9, 2017.

Novo Nordisk CEO Confirms M&A Aspirations, Won't Confirm GBT is Target

The CEO Comments:

Novo Nordisk's NVO CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen said in an interview that his company is looking at making acquisitions in order to increase its range of products. Jorgensen stressed the need to "look for external innovation."

Jorgensen's comments came a day after Reuters reported Novo Nordisk had approached Global Blood Therapeutics Inc GBT regarding a potential acquisition. Jorgensen wouldn't comment specifically on the rumor, but said there was a need for new sources of growth.

Global Blood Therapeutics rose as high as $37.25 on Thursday and closed at $36.15, up 5.55 percent.

Hearing Unconfirmed Market Chatter Airbus Could Offer to Acquire Rockwell Collins

The Rumor:

Shares of Rockwell Collins COL spiked to a high of $98.93. Sources close to both companies report Airbus EADSY is in advanced talks to acquire Rockwell for $120 per share.

Also Thursday, Rockwell Collins shareholders approved the $6.5 billion deal to acquire B/E Aerospace BEAV.

Rockwell Collins closed at $97.02, down $0.63.

Hearing Chatter Zurich to Make Offer for Hartford

The Rumor:

Shares of Hartford Financial HIG traded higher on a rumor that Zurich Insurance will make all cash bid for company in mid $60s. Several sources including Doug Kass tweeted the rumor.

Hartford closed at $49.29, up $0.79.

Jahm Najafi, Pamplona Capital Said to Bid for Time

The Rumor:

A group including Jahm Najafi of Najafi Companies, and private-equity firm Pamplona Capital Management is said to be a bidder for Time Inc TIME, according to sources as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Earlier, Reuters reported the group led by Edgar Bronfman Jr had dropped out of bidding for Time, according to their source.

A spokesperson for Time could not be reached for comment.

Time closed at $19.10, up $0.35.