The European Commission on Wednesday approved Intel's $7.68 billion acquisition of security-software company McAfee. Regulators had been concerned that the deal would exclude competing software from working with Intel processors, but Intel agreed to maintain interoperability.
Global mergers and acquisitions activity is expected to rocket upward 36% next year, getting its strength from the financial and real estate industries, according to a report released Monday -- a level of increase that hasn't been seen since the credit crisis hit.
After seeing interest from potential buyers, children's clothing retailer Gymboree has hired Goldman Sachs to auction itself off, and more private-equity firms have already stepped in to say they want to play. Gymboree executives are reportedly looking for price of $55 to $60 a share.
Drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb plans to buy ZymoGenetics, its partner in developing a hepatitis C treatment, for $885 million. The move is part of a trend of pharmaceutical acquisitions as several big patents face expiration soon.
With the tech M&A market heating up, security software maker ArcSight is putting itself up for sale, according to reports. A sale price could be as high as $1.5 billion.
News that beauty salon operator Regis Corp has hired investment bank Peter J. Solomon to investigate possible buyout options sent Regis stock soaring Thursday.
Private equity firm Apollo Management is rumored to be in talks to purchase Pactiv, maker of Hefty trash bags. The deal would be one of the largest buyouts since 2007.
