MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

UnitedHealth Group Inc., Minnetonka, and Amil Participaes S.A., Rio de Janeiro, said that companies have begun the final phase of the steps required to complete their combination. UnitedHealth Group (via an owned and controlled Brazilian affiliated entity) has commenced an offer to purchase the remaining public Amil shares. The offer will remain open until April 23, and all consenting shares registered with a brokerage firm by April 22 will be purchased.

DEBT AND EQUITIES

St. Jude Medical Inc., Little Canada, has priced an offering to sell $900 million of senior notes due 2023 and $700 million of senior notes due 2043. The 2023 notes will bear interest at 3.25 percent per year and, unless previously redeemed, will mature on April 15, 2023. The 2043 notes will bear interest at 4.75 percent per year and, unless previously redeemed, will mature on April 15, 2043. The company intends to use the net proceeds to redeem in full its 3.75 percent senior notes due 2014, redeem in full its 4.875 percent senior notes due 2019, and for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of short-term indebtedness.