Published Reports: UK's Reckitt Is. . . Out. Consumer Health Indicated Deal Numbers MAY Be Over-Heated. [Just As I Said.]

So, it is now reputedly down to Bayer AG and maybe P&G and a few others. Reckitts (the plural is the British way of referring to it, BTW) has pushed away from the table, we are told.

But just as I said -- IF the rumored numbers are remotely-accurate -- Merck would be getting the very tip top of the market. Per LiveMint's reporting -- do go read it all:

. . . .Bayer AG moved a step closer to winning Merck and Co.’s consumer business after lead rival Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc walked away from the deal because the asset became too expensive.

“We are a highly disciplined acquirer with strict return metrics, which we will not break,” Reckitt Benckiser chief executive officer (CEO) Rakesh Kapoor said in an e-mailed statement. . . .

We shall -- as ever -- see.