'Merger Monday' Delivers, What Companies are Exploring Possible Deals?

The following report pulls a few highlights from M&A deals and rumors that have been announced or reported on on Monday June 2, 2014.

Ventas Inc. Will Acquire American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust

The boards of both Ventas Inc. VTR and ARC Healthcare Trust HCT announced Monday that Ventas will acquire all outstanding shares of ARC Healthcare in a stock and cash deal valued at $2.6 billion or $11.33 per ARC Healthcare share.
The deal, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014, represents a 14 percent premium on ARC Healthcare shares based on the May 30th closing price.
The cash portion of the deal is limited to 10 percent of ARC Healthcare's outstanding common stock, meaning approximately 26.9 million shares of Ventas will be issued to current ARC healthcare shareholders.

Marathon Oil to Sell Marathon Oil Norge

Marathon Oil Corporation MRO announced Monday that is has reached a definitive agreement with Det norske oljeselskap ASA to sell its subsidiary Marathon Oil Norge AS for $2.7 billion.
The effective date of the transaction will be January 1, 2014 and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.
Marathon Oil intends to use the proceeds from the transaction to spur organic growth and to fund a portion of the company's $1.5 billion authorized share repurchase.

Endurance Specialty Increased its offer for Aspen Insurance

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. ENH announced $2 increase in its offer to acquire Aspen Insurance from $47.50 to $49.50
The offer is based off of the closing price of Aspen's shares on April 11th, 2014, the day before Endurance made its initial offer.
On Monday, Endurance intends to file with the SEC a preliminary solicitation of Aspen's shareholders to support two actions: 1) a special general meeting of Aspen's shareholders, and 2) a court-ordered meeting to vote on scheme of arrangement.

Dai-ichi Life Seeks to Buy Protective Life Corp.

Reuters reported that Dai-ichi is in advanced talks with Protective Life Corp. PL to purchase the company for over $5 billion.
Shares of Protective Life react by soaring up over 14 percent early in Monday's session.

Broadcom Explores Strategic Alternatives

Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM announced early Monday morning that it is seeking strategic alternatives for its cellular baseband business including potential sell-off or wind-down.
The successful wind-down or sell-off could mean annual savings of $700 million in R&D and SG&A expenses of which ~$100 million relates to stock-based compensation.
Shares of Broadcom soar up ~10 percent in reaction to the announcement.

NPS Pharmaceutical's Shares Soar

In reaction to the potential buy-out offer from Shire plc. SHPG, estimated to be in the range of $5 billion, shares of NPS Pharmaceutical have rocketed up over 12 percent so far in today's session.
NPS has a single product- Gattex -approved for sale in the U.S.