The Best Defense is Good Offense: Siemens and Alstom Merge Rail Operations to Prepare for Chinese Competition

Siemens AG (SIE:ETR) – market cap as of 29/09/2017: €101.32bn Alstom SA (ALO:EPA) – market cap as of 29/09/2017: €7.92bn Introduction The French rail transport company Alstom SA and the German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG announced on Tuesday 24 September 2017 that they agreed to merge their rail operations. The Read more…

Aerospace is Flying High: US United Technology and Rockwell Collins to Merge in a New Giant

United Technology Corp. (UTX:NYSE) – market cap as of 16/09/2017: $90.33bn Rockwell Collins Inc. (COL:NYSE) – market cap as of 16/09/2017: $21.30bn Introduction On September 4, 2017, United Technology Corp. announced the definitive agreement to acquire the aviation system and cabin equipment maker Rockwell Collins Inc. for a total transaction Read more…

Transportation is getting hot: US trucking companies Knight and Swift to merge in an all American new giant

Swift Transportation Co (SWFT:NYQ) – market cap as of 29/04/2017: $3.27bn Knight Transportation Inc. (KNX:NYQ) – market cap as of 29/04/2017: $2.76bn Introduction On April 10, 2017, Swift and Knight have agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction that is expected to create the largest player in the Transportation and Read more…

A New Behemoth in the Indian Telecom Industry: Vodafone India to Merge with Idea Cellular

Vodafone Group Plc (VOD:NASDAQ) – market cap as of 31/03/2017: £55.39bn ($69.48bn) Idea Cellular Ltd (IDEA:NSE) – market cap as of 31/03/2017: INR 309.51bn ($4.78bn) Introduction Vodafone Group PLC, a global provider of telecommunication services, and Idea Cellular Ltd, an Indian telecommunication company, announced their intention to join forces to Read more…

European Car Makers in Pole Position: PSA Group to Acquire GM’s European Businesses for €2.2bn

Peugeot SA (EPA: UG) – market cap as of 11/03/2017: €15.79bn General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) – market cap as of 11/03/2017: $55.17bn Introduction On March 6, 2017, PSA Group announced an agreement with General Motors Co. whereby the French holding will acquire GM’s Opel and Vauxhall subsidiaries, together with Read more…

Suppliers of Aircraft Manufacturers Shooting for the Stars: Safran to acquire Zodiac Aerospace for €9.7bn

Safran S.A. (EPA: SAF) – market cap as of 03/03/2017: €28.61bn Zodiac Aerospace S.A. (EPA: ZC) – market cap as of 03/03/2017: €8.03bn Introduction On January 19, 2017, the French multinational plane engine manufacturer Safran announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire the aircraft seat supplier Zodiac Read more…

Kraft Heinz’s Ambitious Bid for Unilever: Why Did They Do It, and Why Did It Fail?

Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC)—market cap as of 24/02/17: $112.79bn Unilever plc (LON:ULVR)—market cap as of 24/02/17: £112.08bn (€133.46bn) Introduction On February 17, 2017, it was reported that Kraft Heinz had made a £112bn ($143bn) takeover offer for the Anglo-Dutch conglomerate, Unilever. A deal would have created the world’s second largest Read more…