July 12, 2018 / 6:08 PM / Updated 2 hours ago

U.S. DoJ will not challenge Aetna-CVS deal - report

(Reuters) - Shares of CVS Health Corp and health insurer Aetna Inc rose more than 2 percent on Thursday after CNBC reported that the U.S. Justice Department will not challenge their planned merger.

A CVS Pharmacy store is seen in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., November 30, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

CNBC said Bloomberg reported the news, citing trade publication Reorg Research.

CVS Health Corp and Aetna announced the $69 billion deal on Dec. 3 last year, arguing it would enable the companies to tackle soaring healthcare spending by offering lower-cost medical services in pharmacies.

Aetna and CVS declined to comment.

Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty