VNU cancels IMS deal

Executive Summary

Dutch publishing company VNU has agreed to terminate the merger with IMS Health after nearly 50% of shareholders voiced opposition to the deal, the Haarlem, Netherlands-based firm announces Nov. 17. The deal would have needed approval from more than half of shareholders in order to go through, VNU explained. The company will pay a termination fee of $15 mil. to IMS due to the falling-through of the deal. VNU announced the $7 bil. merger plans in July, but vacillated on the acquisition during the week of Nov. 7 (1"The Tan Sheet" Nov. 14, 2005, In Brief)...