KKR favored in $1.5 billion Panasonic healthcare talks: sources

By Reiji Murai TOKYO (Reuters) – Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co is set to gain preferential negotiating rights for a majority stake in Panasonic Corp’s healthcare unit, sources familiar with the matter said, a potential $1.5 billion deal that would mark the U.S. firm’s largest investment in a Japanese company. An agreement would be in line with KKR’s plans to invest further in Japan after recently raising a $6 billion Asia fund, the biggest ever in Asia for a private equity firm. …