Danaher Sells Communications Business To NetScout In $2.6 Billion Deal

Danaher Corp. agreed Monday to sell its communications business to NetScout Systems in a stock deal valued at $2.6 billion. Under terms of the deal, Danaher will receive about 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock, which closed Friday at $41.91. Danaher's communications businesses include Tektronix Communications, Arbor Networks and parts of Fluke Networks. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2015. Danaher's stock, which was still inactive in premarket trade Monday, has lost 6.9% this year through Friday, compared with a 42% rise in NetScout and a 3.1% gain in the S&P 500.