- Danaher (DHR -0.6%) investors are getting edgy for the company's next big acquisition, Bloomberg reports. The industrial conglomerate has not done a deal over $500M since 2012, which is its longest record in over a decade.
- Despite a lack of pricey transactions, CFO Daniel Comas stated last month that the company may have as much as $12B for a deal. CEO Larry Culp also expressed his will for Danaher to continue its high end dealmaking last year, stating the company had the ability to spend more than $8B on acquisitions. Still, a $500M+ deal has still not been made. Investors seem to be holding off on buying the stock until the next big acquisition.
- The company has attempted two takeovers this past year, although both deals ended up going to buyout firms. Danaher and the Blackstone Group put in a bid for J&J's Ortho Clinical Diagnostics unit and Ashland’s water chemicals operations, but has not been able to seal the deal. As a result, the company had a record $3.3B in cash at the end of March.
- Due to the recent years performance record, there is speculation the $56B conglomerate should consider breaking itself up. Another possibility is increasing its dividend or buy back shares if a deal does not come down the pipe.