Deals
Cox Enterprises is buying online advertising firm Adify for at least $300 million -- not a bad multiple on expected 2008 revenues of $35 million. Go to Blog
Analysis (1/5)
Google in driver's seat after Microsoft-Yahoo bust
Yahoo Inc may not be celebrating the end of takeover talks with Microsoft Corp, but their mutual rival Google Inc should feel free to pop the champagne cork. Full Article
Dr Pepper faces lukewarm U.S. homecoming
Dr Pepper Snapple Group shares will start trading in the United States this week, but Wall Street is not welcoming back the soft drink maker with open arms. Full Article
Minority investments rise amid credit crunch
As tightening credit markets have made it more difficult and costly to raise funds for large acquisitions, investors have opted to buy smaller stakes in companies rather than pursuing full takeovers. Full Article
Buyout firms' portfolio companies face stress
Companies loaded up with debt and taken private in the buyout boom are more susceptible to bankruptcy as the economy contracts, but a wave of Chapter 11 filings is not expected. Full Article
Big banks face break-up calls in subprime wake
Battle lines are forming in banking that pit bigger-is-better against break-up advocates, and some of the largest conglomerates like UBS and Citigroup could be in the line of fire. Full Article
The anti-Verizon and AT&T crowd has been galvanized to fight their dominance in the wireless industry.
Global M&A Data
Top Global M&A Deals
Announced last week (26 Apr to 2 May 2008)
| Target | Acquirer | Value $M |
|---|---|---|
| Wm Wrigley Jr Co (USA) | Mars Inc (USA) | 21,917.5 |
| Origin Energy Ltd (AUS) | BG Group plc (GBR) | 12,013.0 |
| ConvaTec (USA) | Consortium of Nordic Capital Fund VII & Avista Capital Partners (USA) | 4,100.0 |
| Norgani Hotels ASA (NOR) | Undisclosed Acquiror (NOR) | 2,175.0 |
| Zentiva N.V. (NLD) | PPF Group NV and Generali PPF Holding BV (CZE) | 1,787.8 |
| Bois d Arc Energy Inc (USA) | Stone Energy Corp (USA) | 1,650.9 |
| Real Estate Assets (CHN) | Hunan AVA Holdings Co Ltd (CHN) | 1,589.8 |
| Atlantia SpA (ITA) | Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Torino (ITA) | 1,255.7 |
| Safety Kleen Europe Ltd (GBR) | Warburg Pincus LLC (USA) | 1,112.9 |
| Tognum AG (DEU) | Daimler AG (DEU) | 910.8 |
Top Industries: Global M&A
Announced in the last 13 weeks (2 Feb to 2 May 2008)
| Industry | Deals | Value $M |
|---|---|---|
| Financials | 2,360 | 108,615.6 |
| Industrials | 2,420 | 74,161.0 |
| Basic Materials | 1,184 | 67,639.9 |
| Non-Cyclical Consumer Goods / Services | 1,187 | 47,977.2 |
| Energy | 501 | 38,901.2 |
| Healthcare | 504 | 37,928.1 |
| Cyclical Consumer Goods / Services | 1,843 | 33,996.0 |
| Utilities | 361 | 25,431.9 |
| Technology | 1,116 | 25,083.9 |
| Telecommunications Services | 222 | 21,361.1 |
Execs defend humans in high-tech markets
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The heads of the world's biggest stock exchanges agree there is still room for the "human element" in a high-speed trading environment that has aggressively gone electronic. Full Article
