Linde, Praxair explore megamerger

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Linde, which owns Lincare and as of late last year American HomePatient, is in talks for a megamerger with Praxair, according to Bloomberg. The all-stock deal, which could be valued at more than $30 billion, may be reached as early as the coming weeks, the news agency reported Aug. 15. Linde and Praxair confirmed news reports but said in separate statements that preliminary discussions may not lead to a transaction, according to Bloomberg. Praxair sold its U.S. homecare business to Apria Healthcare in 2011.