Update – Pernod Ricard, Brown-Forman confirm deal talks

Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman are in talks over a deal to form a "partnership akin to a merger of equals", the spirits giants have said. Earlier today, Bloomberg and Reuters reported the distillers had held discussions over a possible transaction. In the wake of the reports, shares in Brown-Forman jumped but Pernod's share price fell. “We note the recent market rumours regarding a potential business combination involving Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard," a brief statement issued by the US group at afte ...