Stocks in Action USA: Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Microsoft, and Verizon.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) – US Biotech Consolidation Drives Growth Strategy: Xoma Acquisition Massively Strengthens Royalty Portfolio! The stock of Ligand Pharmaceuticals reacts positively to the announced acquisition of rival XOMA Royalty, which is to be acquired for approximately $740 million in cash. The completion of the transaction is expected in the third quarter. The deal is strategically relevant for the market: Ligand is significantly expanding its position as one of the largest so-called "royalty aggregators" in the biotech sector—companies...