Content about Financial economics

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday announced that it has priced an underwritten public offering of senior notes, the net proceeds from which will be used to repay — in full — money that was borrowed to fund the cash consideration in its acquisition of a 45% stake in Alliance Boots and for general corporate purposes, including its previously announced USA Drug acquisition.

The senior notes consist of:

• $550 million of floating rate notes due 2014;

• $750 million of 1% notes due 2015;

NEW YORK — Safeway will package $150 million in real healthcare savings into an overall wellness strategy to be implemented over the course of 2013, the grocer's chairman and CEO Steve Burd told analysts Thursday morning at the Goldman Sachs 19th Annual Global Retailing Conference. 

NEW YORK — Coty has filed to raise as much as $700 million in an initial public offering. The filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission comes about a month after the beauty company dropped its bid for Avon because of Avon’s “delay and unwillingness to engage in discussions.”

In the filing, Coty told the SEC that it intends to list the Class A common stock on either the NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “COTY.” Coty did not reveal how many shares it plans to sell or their expected price.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday morning heard arguments on whether the individual mandate portion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is constitutional. The final decision, expected in June, could mean a swing between 15 million and 27 million Americans, along with their prescription and other healthcare needs, entering the insurance market in 2014, according to a recent study published by the Rand Corp.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — A miniature version of the spike in stock market activity that followed speculation about the prospects of a Walgreens-Rite Aid merger happened on Drug Store News' website as a quick writeup about the potential deal became the most-read story on the site.

(THE NEWS: Reports: WAG-RAD merger speculation drives RAD stock to four-year high. For the full story, click here)

HOUSTON — Pet medications now are available at all Kroger pharmacies in the Houston area, the company said.

Customers with four-legged family members now can pick up their pets' prescriptions at the pharmacy counter. Popular medications, such as Frontline Plus and Rimadyl Chewables, are available, as well as $4 and $10 generic medications.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced that four of the UFCW/multi-employer pension funds to which the company contributes will merge into a new fund, effective Jan. 1. This new arrangement is expected to reduce Kroger's annual pension contribution expense and will secure the pension benefits of more than 65,000 Kroger associates.

NEW YORK — Trilantic Capital Partners, a global private equity firm, on Tuesday announced that it has partnered with management to acquire Implus, a leader in the footwear, outdoor and fitness accessories markets. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Clorox announced that EVP and CFO Dan Heinrich, who has served as financial chief of the company since 2003, will retire Nov. 16.

In addition to his current role leading all aspects of the finance, business development and investor relations functions and corporate administrative services, during his career with Clorox, Heinrich also oversaw the corporate communications, risk management and IT functions. Heinrich, who joined the company in 2001 and controller, also is a member of the company's executive committee.

NEW YORK — Walgreens is planning to sell health insurance as soon as this fall, CNNMoney reported Tuesday morning.

Walgreens declined to comment on the matter, according to the report.

The Chicago-based pharmacy-and-more operator would sell health insurance products with different price ranges and coverage levels across its network nationwide through a private health insurance exchange, CNNMoney reported, citing people familiar with the plan.

NEW YORK — Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners said Friday they are making a joint buyout bid worth an undisclosed amount for BJ's Wholesale Club.

The two private equity firms revealed their plans in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Friday. The bid price was not disclosed.

In February, BJ's announced it was exploring a sale. In March, Leonard Green already is the chain's larger shareholder, with a 9.3% stake.