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 ...

Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman have reportedly held early-stage talks on a potential deal that could see the French group buy its fellow spirits giant. Shares in the Jack Daniel's maker were up more than 20% in the wake of a Bloomberg report that said the two spirits giants had held "initial discussions". According to Bloomberg, which cited unnamed sources, Pernod is exploring a possible acquisition of its US peer. The two companies have had early-stage talks about a possible "combination", the business ...