Computer Sciences to buy First Consulting

Computer Sciences Corp., the computer-services provider to government agencies and businesses, agreed to buy First Consulting Group Inc. for about $365 million to bolster its roster of healthcare clients.

Computer Sciences will pay $13 a share, the companies said Wednesday. That’s 30% above Long Beach-based First Consulting’s closing price Tuesday.

About 90% of First Consulting’s sales come from managing computers and software for healthcare organizations, including the New York Blood Center and the Cook Children’s Health Care System. Computer Sciences, based in El Segundo, lists the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the New York Department of Health and the National Cancer Institute among its healthcare clients.

First Consulting shares gained $2.71 to $12.69 on Wednesday. Computer Sciences climbed $1.04 to $58.39.

First Consulting employs 2,500 people worldwide. The company said in August that second-quarter sales rose 2.4% to $70.7 million.