Measures could also include a possible $1-billion sale of Dr. Scholl’s foot care products and Coppertone sunscreen from its healthcare division that Bayer bought for $14 billion from Merck & Co (MRK) back in 2014.
It could also divest its animal health division — the largest flea and tick control products maker for cats and dogs — for about $8 billion. The veterinary medicine unit is the fifth largest in the world, behind Zoetis (ZTS), Elanco (ELAN), Boehringer Ingelheim and the Merck & Co (MRK) unit.
Bayer’s 60% share in infrastructure management unit Currenta is also up for grabs, and it might go for about $1.7 billion.
Reckitt Benckiser (RB) and Procter & Gamble Co (PG) are likely to be the possible buyers, with Bayer expected to cut about 12,000 jobs in Monsanto as well.
Bayer’s consumer healthcare unit will also take a hit due to impairment costs and falling top-line sales in the US with a shift to online drugstores and cheaper brands.
As November closes, we’ll see how the world markets take this news. Bayer shares had slipped in post-trading session at Frankfurt.