Nestle Leads Busiest Day for Europe Deals Since Xstrata

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Western European companies announced $15 billion of acquisitions today, led by Nestle SA’s purchase of Pfizer Inc.’s infant-nutrition unit, driven by the desire to buy revenue growth outside their home markets.

In addition to Nestle’s $11.9 billion deal, Vodafone Group Plc bid $1.8 billion for Cable & Wireless Worldwide Plc and AstraZeneca Plc agreed to buy Ardea Biosciences Inc. for $1.3 billion. The three made up the busiest day in European takeovers since Glencore’s $45 billion bid for Xstrata in February.