Call of… Candy: Activision Blizzard takes over a “poor King” and bets on mobile gaming

Activision Blizzard; Market Cap: $25.52bn (as of 06/11/2015) King Digital Entertainment; Market Cap: $5.55bn (as of 06/11/2015)   Introduction On November 2, Activision Blizzard agreed to acquire for $5.9b King Digital Entertainment, one of the major players of the mobile gaming industry with its popular Candy Crush Saga. The move Read more…

The Finnish phoenix arises from its ashes: Nokia to merge with Alcatel-Lucent

NOKIA Corporation; Market Cap (as of 17/04/2015): €26.3bn Alcatel-Lucent; Market Cap (as of 17/04/2015): €10.5bn  Introduction On April 15, the Finnish multinational company Nokia agreed to buy the French company Alcatel-Lucent in an all-shares transaction valued at €15.6bn. The deal aims at creating a future innovation leader in the technology Read more…

M&A activity back in the Insurance sector: Aviva to acquire Friends Life

Aviva plc; market cap (as of 27/11/2014 ): £14.96bn Friends Life Group; market cap (as of 27/11/2014): £5.21bn Introduction On November 24, Aviva plc, a multinational insurance company headquartered in London, reached a preliminary agreement to acquire its British rival Friends Life Group, the 5th largest life and pensions company Read more…

Get a $66bn Smile: Actavis to buy the Botox-maker Allergan

Actavis plc.; market cap (as of 21/11/2014): $70.5bn Allergan Inc.; market cap (as of 21/11/2014): $63.3bn Introduction The growing emphasis we put on health and quality of life, and the scientific advancements which are making this possible, are putting the pharmaceutical and medical industries in the spotlight. The recent surge Read more…

AMCOL deal update: Minerals Technologies tops Imerys’ bid

AMCOL International Corporation Market Cap (as of 14/03/2014): $1.49bn Minerals Technologies Inc. Market Cap (as of 14/03/2014): $1.98bn Imerys S.A. Market Cap (as of 14/03/2014): €4.76bn On March 10th, 2014 Minerals Technologies Inc., a global developer and maker of mineral-based products, announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement with Read more…