Dutch Firm VNU May Scrap IMS Health Deal

Dutch media company VNU said it was considering scrapping its planned $6.92-billion acquisition of U.S. healthcare data provider IMS Health Inc. because of opposition from VNU shareholders.

VNU, known for the Nielsen TV ratings in the United States, said it was in wide-ranging discussions with IMS Health after shareholders claiming to represent 48% of VNU’s outstanding shares said they would not “support the transaction under any circumstances.”