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The author argues that the potential merger of U.S. chemical companies DuPont and Dow Chemical as of early December 2015 was emblematic of a disturbing reduction of ambition among U.S. corporations. He argues that stockholder discontent due to sluggish U.S. economic growth, the rise of activist investors, and advancements by state-owned Chinese companies such as Sinochem International Corp. were driving timidity among U.S. corporations.

The author considers whether social-media company Facebook Inc.'s February 2014 acquisition of messaging company WhatsApp Inc. makes financial sense by comparing it to telecommunication firm Verizon Communications' earlier $130 billion purchase of the 45% of wireless-service provider Verizon Wireless that it didn't already own. He concludes that in time Facebook's purchase price might prove to be not as outrageously high as it may have first seemed.

The article reports that technology company Microsoft has explored a potential deal to purchase wireless phone manufacturer Nokia as part of an attempt to rebrand Nokia's struggling mobile business and improve Microsoft's wireless holdings. Topics include the increased value of mobile technology to computer hardware and software programs, why the negotiations have stagnated over Nokia's poor financial performance, and a discussion of the business relationship between Microsoft and Nokia.

The article examines the economic aspects of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) occurring at the start of 2013. It notes that as of February 14, 2013, the total value of M&A transactions for the year was the highest to start a year since 2005, as the author describes how this often reflects stock market conditions. Particular attention is given to deals involving companies such as food manufacturer Heinz, airline companies AMR Corp. and US Airways Group, and brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev NV.

The article discusses Internet-search company Google Inc.'s purchase of smartphone-manufacturer Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. The author believes Google could be jeopardizing its business relationships with makers of smartphones that run its Android operating system by getting into the smartphone business itself.

The article considers mass media industry and Internet industry mergers. The possibility that major Internet industry companies such as Google Inc. could acquire mass media such as newspapers, television broadcasting companies or motion picture industry firms is discussed. The failure of a similar merger, that of AOL Inc. and Time Warner Inc. is noted.

The article discusses the strong performance of confectioner Hershey Co. since it failed to thwart food maker Kraft Food Inc.'s buyout of candy manufacturer Cadbury PLC in February 2010. Since then Hershey chief executive David West has consolidated manufacturing and boosted advertising spending. Hershey's sales and gross margins have both increased, and the stock price has risen 47%.

The article briefly discusses several firms that meet criteria for potential acquisition candidates as specified by Warren Buffett, chairman of holding company Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Companies noted include diversified industrial firm Illinois Tool Works Inc., elevator company Schindler Holding Corp., and industrial distributor W. W. Grainger Inc.

The article reports that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has begun investigating how Chinese firms with questionable accounting and corporate governance have gained listings on U.S. stock exchanges by merging with shell companies in the U.S. The SEC is looking into how lawyers, bankers, and accountants in the U.S. have aided the process.

The article reports that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is investigating whether Berkshire Hathaway Inc. made timely notification to shareholders of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. of its intention to acquire that firm. SEC rules require prompt notification, although past practice does not make clear precisely what that term means. Berkshire is chaired by billionaire Warren Buffett.

The article discusses ongoing business discussions involving UAL Corp. UAL is attempting to negotiate a merger with US Airways Group, Inc. Separately, the airline is negotiating some type of arrangement with Continental Airlines that wouldn't necessarily entail a combination. Some analysts believe regulators would look more favorably upon a merger between UAL and Continental.

The article reports that Palm Inc. is exploring options that could include a sale of the company. Palm's market capitalization has fallen over 50% within the past year as its smartphones have struggled in the marketplace against competing devices from Apple Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd. Palm chief executive Jon Rubinstein has said his firm would consider any reasonable buyout offers.

The article reports United Airlines and US Airways Group Inc. have entered into merger talks. A combined entity would create the second-largest airline in the U.S., next to Delta Air Lines Inc. US Airways does substantial business along the U.S. east coast, while flights across the Pacific Ocean are a strength of United.

The article discusses notable and notably successful mergers and transactions among the 316,657 that have taken place since January 1, 2000. AOL's merger with Time Warner was a disaster. Conversely, AT&T Corp. under chief executive Ed Whitacre made several successful acquisitions, while chief executive Jamie Dimon skillfully built J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. into a formidable bank.

The article reports that chief executive Bruce Wasserstein of Lazard Ltd. died. Often working with partner Joseph Perella, Wasserstein was involved in several high-profile takeover attempts during the 1980s including those involving DuPont, Conoco, and RJR Nabisco. Steven J. Golub was named interim chief executive at Lazard.

The article discusses circumstances leading up to BlackRock Inc.'s $13.5 billion purchase of a money-management operation from Barclays. BlackRock chief executive Laurence Fink expected Amanda Staveley of PCP Capital Partners to secure $2.3 billion in financing from Persian Gulf interests. After Stavely was unable to deliver the financing on acceptable terms, BlackRock had to make alternative funding arrangements.

The article discusses research by Harvard Business School professor Malcolm Baker and colleagues on the pricing of mergers. Baker's examination of 7,500 deals found an unusually high number with a price very close to the 52-week-high of the acquired firm's stock price. Mergers above that price had a great probability of succeeding, while those priced below it were more likely to be voted down by shareholders.

The article reports that PepsiCo Inc. has bid a collective $6 billion to purchase the shares of bottlers Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. and PepsiAmericas Inc. that it does not already own. Pepsi chief executive Indra Nooyi noted the business climate has changed significantly since her firm spun off its bottling assets in 1999.

The article reports that negotiations over a proposed $7 billion acquisition of Sun Microsystems by International Business Machines (IBM) appeared to be on the verge of failure. Sun's board of directors rejected the formal offer made by IBM and said it would begin negotiating with other firms. Sun's board is said to remain divided over its decision.

The article reports that Anheuser-Busch Cos. and InBev NV have agreed to a $52 billion merger. InBev will acquire Anheuser-Busch for $70 per share. The new firm will be called Anheuser-Busch InBev. The deal ends Anheuser-Busch's 150-year tenure as an independent company, and shows a continued willingness on the part of investment banks to fund merger activity.

The article reports that Verizon is in discussions to acquire rival wireless communication systems company Alltel Corp. for approximately $27 billion. The merger would create the world's largest cellular telephone systems company. Alltel is currently owned by private equity firm TPG Capital and a unit of Goldman Sachs Group.

The article reports that the privately held candy company Mars Inc. and financier Warren Buffett are close to acquiring Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., the famed chewing gum maker, for $22 billion. The price represents a considerable premium over Wrigley's current stock price. Mars is the world's largest maker of chocolate, and the merger would expand its international reach by a significant amount.

The article reports that the financial services company Wachovia Corp. will receive as much as $7 billion in capital from outside investors who will purchase stock priced at $23-24 a share, a 15 percent discount from the price on April 11, 2008. Wachovia is struggling from the effects of its acquisition of mortgage loan company Golden West Financial Corp. near the peak of the U.S. housing bubble in 2006.

The article reports that the financial services firm J.P. Morgan Chase has agreed to purchase the troubled firm of Bear Stearns at the extraordinarily low price of $2 a share, or about $236 million. The deal was seen as Bear Stearns' only alternative to bankruptcy. It was facilitated by a U.S. Federal Reserve Board agreement to provide $30 billion in financing for Bear Stearns illiquid assets such as mortgage-backed securities.

The article discusses BHP Billiton's effort to purchase Rio Tinto for $132 billion. The two firms are the first and third largest mining companies in the world. A successful merger would produce the world's second largest company by market capitalization, behind only Exxon Mobil. Some say BHP's bid reflects diminishing opportunities for mining firms to discover new resources.

The article presents an overview of the impact an increase in mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. in 2008 could have on individual investors in the U.S. and on the companies involved in the mergers and acquisitions. A discussion of the impact the increase could have on the financial industry of the U.S. is presented.

The article focuses on a failed $25 billion buyout of student Lender Sallie Mae by a buying group which included J Christopher Flowers' private equity vehicle, J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., and Bank of America Corp. The failed buyout, which resulted because of an inability of Sallie Mae to reach an agreement with the group, will result in the group having to pay a $900 million breakup fee. A discussion of financial problems which have been seen at Sallie Mae and its parent company SLM Corp. is presented.

The article reports on a decrease in the number of merger and acquisition deals that has been seen in the U.S. in 2007 as a result of a decrease in the availability of inexpensive credit in the country. A discussion of a merger and acquisition boom which was seen in the U.S. from 2004 to 2007 is presented. Several pending merger deals, including one between ABN Amro and Barclays PLC, are discussed.

The article focuses on Home Depot's 2007 decision to sell its wholesale supply unit, Home Depot Supply, for $8.5 billion to Bain Capital, Carlyle Group and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, which is 18% less than the company's original asking price. The company's decision to sell at a reduced price has been attributed to a global credit crunch which has impacted leveraged buyouts worldwide.

The article focuses on merger discussions which are being held in August of 2007 between two companies involved with online brokerage, TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. and E* Trade Financial Corp. If the merger happens a dominant player in the online brokerage industry will be created. The finances of both companies are discussed.

The article focuses on the impact turmoil in the U.S. credit markets has had on the proposed leveraged buyouts of several companies including SLM Corp. and Home Depot's construction supply unit. Several proposed buyouts, including the one of SLM, have been delayed or cancelled due to an increase in the cost of financing the deals which has occurred because of an increase in bank fees.

The article reports on a continued willingness of U.S. banks and hedge fund advisors to finance high risk long term investments without having proof of positive financial results in an effort to gain short term profit despite having seen failed leveraged buyout deals that have become increasingly prevalent in 2007.

The article focuses on a decision of bankers working for Chrysler Group to postpone a $12 billion sale of debt to investors that was part of a buyout of Chrysler by Cerberus Capital Management group that would sever Chrysler's ties to its parent company Daimler Chrysler AG. A discussion of several debt related deals that were also postponed in the week of July 23, 2007 including one between Allison Transmission and Citigroup is presented.

The article reports on a merger between PepsiCo Inc., the maker of Pepsi-Cola and Doritos, and Nestlé SA that was not accomplished due to Nestlé's fears that Pepsi's snack and soft drink line would interfere with its mission of building a company centered on healthy food and beverage products. A discussion of the impact the merger failure will have on Pepsi's plans to develop a more healthy line of beverages and foods is presented.

The article focuses on a hesitance being seen among investors in the U.S. to finance corporate buyout deals and the impact the hesitance could have on $300 billion in loans and high yield debt that is being made available for sale in 2007. A discussion of the impact the hesitance could have on Wall Street's banks, who enjoy collecting fees from the deals, is presented.

The article reports on the near completion of a $35 billion deal which would result in the Canadian aluminum giant Alcan Inc. being purchased by Australia's mining company Rio Tinto. A discussion of the impact the proposed deal could have on rival firm Alcoa and the mining and aluminum industries is presented.

This article discusses an initial public stock offering (IPO) by private-equity pioneer Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR). The IPO will change KKR from a private company that raised money and invested it to take over, change, and resell companies to a company that will use its own money and be on its own in competition with big investment banks. KKR founders Henry Kravis and George Roberts have been planning the business change for over a year.

The article focuses on talks which are being held between General Electric Co. and "Financial Times" publisher Pearson PLC. The talks are being held in an effort to create a joint bid for Dow Jones & Co. which would create a privately held company and would defy Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.'s bids and efforts to purchase Dow Jones.

The article reports on problems, including difficulty in finding investors, that Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. is encountering when attempting to acquire First Data Corp. for $26 billion. A discussion of the methods the company is using to solve its problems, including the financing of debt, is presented.

The article focuses on factors which may lead to the end of a corporate buyout streak which is being seen in the U.S. A discussion of the impact a decrease in investor confidence, an increase in the number of companies that are unable to finance buyouts, and a decline in private equity returns will have on the streak is presented.

The article focuses on the plans of the Bancroft family, which controls 64% of Dow Jones & Co.'s voting power, to meet with Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of News Corp. in order to discuss Murdoch's $5 billion bid for Dow Jones. A discussion of the details of Murdoch's bid and of the impact the Bancroft's plans to talk with Murdoch have had on the stock prices of Dow Jones & Co., is presented.

The article focuses on a deal which was made by Najafi Cos. and its chairman Jahm Najafi in 2003 and reaped millions of dollars for the company in 2007. A discussion of the methods which were used to complete the deal, which involved Najafi's purchase of Verizon Inc.'s Network Solutions unit for $100 million and its resale to General Atlantic LLC. for $800 million, is presented.

The article reports on the Bancroft family's reaction to News Corp.'s offer to buy out their Dow Jones & Co., which owns "The Wall Street Journal." William Cox Jr., the grandson of the late Bancroft matriarch Jessie Bancroft Cox and James Ottaway Jr., the largest stockholder outside of the family, both oppose the sale, citing News Corp.'s poor journalistic record. Other family members are considering engaging News Corp. or looking for other buyers.

The article reports that mergers are increasing as international barriers to such deals fall. Groups of banks and private equity companies join together to gain the capital and clout to buy up companies previously thought to be untouchable, like the family-controlled, super-voting stock Dow Jones & Co. and the bank ABN Amro Holding NV.

The article reports on strategies which have been developed by News Corp. and its chairman Rupert Murdoch in an effort to increase the chances of his successful completion of a $5 billion purchase of Dow Jones & Co. Murdoch plans to address journalists and detail the company's plans for the purchase and also personally address Dow Jones' controlling shareholders, the Bancroft family and inform them of his future plans for the company after the purchase.

The article focuses on the impact the largest shareholders of the Dow Jones & Co., the Bancroft family, had on the proposed purchase of the company by Rupert Murdoch's company News Corp. The company's board reported that shares representing 52% of the company's voting, which were influenced by the Bancrofts, rejected Murdoch's $5 billion offer. Analysts feel that the vote may lead to tension between the Bancrofts and the company's board and other shareholders that are eager to sell the company.

The article reports on the impact the largest shareholders in the Dow Jones & Co., the Bancroft family, may have on the chances of Rupert Murdoch and his company News Corp. to purchase Dow Jones. The family, which has 24.7% of outstanding shares in the company, 64.2% of the company votes and has 82.4% of the supervoting Class B shares, has indicated that it will refuse Murdoch's $5 billion purchase offer. Unless they are overruled by other shareholders the News Corp Dow merger will not happen.

The article reports on a surprise $5 billion bid from News Corp. and its leader Rupert Murdoch for the acquisition of Dow Jones & Co. and reaction to the bid from Dow Jones' controlling shareholders, the Bancroft family. A Bancroft representative reported that family members and their trusts, which constitute more than 50% of the outstanding voting power of Dow Jones, would vote against the offer.

The article reports on a deal between Harman International Industries Inc., Goldman Sachs Group and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. which offers shareholders benefits. Stereo maker Harman agreed to be acquired by Goldman and Kohlberg Kravis for 7.8 billion. As part of the deal, Harman's current shareholders can elect to receive a $120 per share cash payment or exchange some of their shares for stock in the new, privately held company which was created by the merger.