Ownership Matters Backs Chemist Warehouse-Sigma Healthcare Merger

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has given the green light to the proposed $8.8 billion merger between Chemist Warehouse and Sigma Healthcare, with Ownership Matters, a proxy advisory firm, recommending that shareholders of Sigma Healthcare vote in favor of the deal. The ACCC's approval follows a rigorous review process that included extensive public consultation and engagement with both companies.

The ACCC found that the proposed merger is unlikely to substantially lessen competition within the national or local pharmaceutical sector. The competition watchdog also found that a combined Sigma-Chemist Warehouse would be unlikely to greatly impact the wholesale market. The ACCC's decision underscores the ongoing dynamic competition in the market, ensuring consumers continue to have diverse options.

Chemist Warehouse will merge with pharmacy giant Sigma Healthcare to create a pharmacy and healthcare behemoth valued at ~A$8.8 billion. This landmark deal, one of the largest in recent years, will propel the merged entity into the ranks of the top 200 listed companies on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

Sigma Healthcare has announced plans to raise A$400 million as part of the merger process, with underwriting support from Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS). The deal, which awaits approval from competition regulators, will integrate Sigma's wholesaler and franchise pharmacy operations with Chemist Warehouse's extensive network of 600 stores.

Post-merger, Chemist Warehouse shareholders, including billionaires Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi, will hold a commanding 85.75% stake in the merged group. The ACCC's approval is believed to be a critical milestone in the proposed merger, which would create a leading publicly-listed healthcare company with complementary strengths in pharmaceutical distribution and retail operations.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health-care supplier. The regulator previously raised concerns that the tie-up could reduce competition in pharmacy retailing.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares have surged to their highest since 2007 after Australia’s competition regulator approved the company’s A$8.8 billion ($5.8 billion) merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse. Sigma’s stock jumped as much as 39% on Thursday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it will not oppose the planned deal after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from the health