Cigna to Acquire HealthSpring

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) and HealthSpring, Inc. (NYSE:HS) today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Cigna will acquire all the outstanding shares of HealthSpring for $55 per share in cash, a 37% premium over the closing stock price on Friday October 21, 2011, representing a total transaction value of approximately $3.8 billion. HealthSpring’s proven leadership team, headed by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Herb Fritch, will lead Cigna's expansion in our rapidly growing Seniors and Medicare segments. The business combination is expected to be accretive to Cigna earnings per share in the first full year of operations. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is subject to required regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close during the first half of 2012 and is not subject to a financing condition.