QUOTE=Anonymous;5258539]I think you are off a month on the Stryker thing. I believe it was late May when they were looking. I could be wrong.
If Sanofi had waited another 6 mo. then I think Buhon is a stronger candidate. As of now, he has 6 more months on his S&N contract.
If Styker were to make an offer (and I don't think they will), the outgoing CEO is usually asked to stay until the deal closes... So, if Olivier Buhon wants to be the new CEO of the largest French Pharma company, he should NOT make a deal with Stryker that will tie him up for the next 10-12 months... or better yet, QUIT NOW.
It won't matter though. Remember what those Englishmen said? "Meet the new boss... Same as the old boss......... DON'T GET FOOLED, AGAIN"[/QUOTE]
Pretty spot on analysis, given that Buhon recently said he is not leaving for Sanofi. I don't see a Stryker deal happening. The price is out of whack with reality and Smith & Nephew (I.e. Board and London exchange) consider SNN stock as a national point of pride. They are proud to be one of the largest healthcare companies in UK - never mind that the majority of revenue, profits, and operations are in US.
Look for deal whispers to die after it's leaked to the media that it isn't going to happen. SNN will drop 5% that day, and remain mostly flat until the next round of takeover whispers start up in 4 years.