Carlyle to Buy Supplements Maker NBTY for $3.8 Billion

Carlyle Group inked a $3.8 billion deal on Thursday to acquire vitamin supplement maker NBTY (NTY) at a 47% premium, marking one of 2010’s largest private equity deals. The $55-a-share all-cash deal represents a 57% premium on NBTY’s 30-day closing price. NBTY said it sees the deal closing by the end of 2010. The deal received financing from equity contributed by Carlyle Partners, which is a $13.7 billion U.S. buyout fund, and external debt financing from Bank of America (BAC), Barclays Capital (BCS) and Credit Suisse (CS). "This transaction delivers exceptional value to our shareholders. For our wholesale and