In October, UnitedHealth Group acquired the largest health insurer and hospital operator in Brazil -- Amil Participacoes -- for $4.9 billion.
Last week Amil announced that it was entering the hospital business in Portugal with a $108 million acquisition of seven hospitals. Andre Parize, an analyst who covers Amil for Votorantim Corretora, an equity research firm in Brazil, wrote: "The announcement is positive for the company, which should enchance its footprint in another country. Moreover, after the UnitedHealth acquisition, we believe that Amil has a strong capitalized partner and access to a proven know-how in the health sector...."
USB'S BIG SCORE
U.S. Bank doubled up its prepaid card operations last week with the acquisition of privately-held FSV Payment Systems. Senior analyst Madeline Aufseeser of research firm Aite Group called the acquisition a "huge, huge" score for U.S. Bank.
Aufseeser authored a recent report on prepaid debit cards and payroll cards in which she recommended J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. buy FSV.
"U.S. Bank just beat them to the punch, which I think is just great for U.S. Bank," Aufseeser told the Star Tribune.
PATRICK KENNEDY
