Royal Philips Electronics has repeated its desire to sell its 70% ownership stake in speech recognition firm MedQuist of Mount Laurel, NJ, if the Dutch industrial conglomerate receives a satisfactory offer.
The statement, released earlier today, follows Philips' July 6 announcement that it was reviewing its options regarding MedQuist. The Netherlands-based parent of Philips Medical Systems of Andover, MA, also noted there can be "no full assurance" that a divestiture of MedQuist will occur.
If a transaction is completed, Philips said the sale of MedQuist would result in a loss of approximately 320 million euros ($461 million U.S.), which Philips would recognize in its fourth-quarter financial report.
In the meantime, MedQuist's board of directors issued a statement in the wake of Philips' announcement, saying it is evaluating whether a sale of the company by Philips is in the best interests of MedQuist's shareholders.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
November 2, 2007
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Philips reviewing MedQuist stake, July 10, 2007
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MedQuist executives to leave company, May 15, 2007
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