US stocks rally on merger deals

October 2nd, 2009 Mexico's Femsa says it's considering beer mergerMEXICO CITY — Mexican brewer and beverage maker Femsa SAB is exploring merger possibilities involving its beer business in talks with several companies. Femsa did not say what other companies are part of the talks, but the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that Femsa has held discussions with beverage companies including SABMiller PLC and Heineken NV.

September 8th, 2009 Stocks rise as merger news boosts investors' moodNEW YORK — News about mergers is making investors more optimistic about the economy and giving them new reasons to buy stocks. Stocks rose early Tuesday as investors were encouraged by news from overseas.

August 28th, 2009 Stocks mostly lower; Nasdaq buoyed by Intel newsNEW YORK — Stocks mostly fell Friday as investors balked at extending the market's recent rally despite an improved outlook from Intel Corp. Trading was quiet, as it has been all week, as summer vacations kept many traders out of the market.

August 28th, 2009 Stocks mostly fall; Intel news boosts tech sharesNEW YORK — Stocks were searching for direction Friday as investors hesitated to extend the market's recent rally despite an improved outlook from Intel Corp. Major stock indicators got an initial boost after the world's largest maker of computer chips raised the top end of its sales forecast for the current quarter from $8.9 billion to $9.2 billion.

July 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government Monday said the proposed merger of the two state-run telecom operators - Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) - has been put on hold. "Since the enabling conditions for the suggested options are not appropriate enough to lead to a successful merger and considering the complexity of the issues involved, the restructuring of BSNL and MTNL has been put on hold for the time being, Minister of State for Communications and IT Gurudas Kamat told the Lok Sabha.

July 4th, 2009 CHENNAI - A nationwide strike planned by employees of State Bank of India (SBI) and its six associate banks for July 6 against the merger of State Bank of Indore with SBI has been deferred, a union leader said Saturday. "The bank management has been advised by the deputy chief labour commissioner to discuss the issue with unions before pursuing the merger issue with the Reserve Bank of India and the central government," said C.H.

June 26th, 2009 CNB Financial of Worcester opts for UFB mergerWORCESTER, Mass. — CNB Financial Corp.

June 22nd, 2009 BHOPAL - More than 6,000 employees of State Bank of Indore went on a strike Monday to protest the proposed merger with State Bank of India, staff union leaders said here. All branches remained closed.

June 20th, 2009 BHOPAL - Employees of the State Bank of Indore will go on a day's strike July 22 to protest the bank's proposed merger with the State Bank of India, a union leader said Saturday. S.K. Bindal, general secretary of the All India State Bank of Indore Officers' Coordination Committee, said the merger proposal was approved despite strong opposition by the employees.

June 1st, 2009 TOKYO - Tokyo stocks rose Monday following Wall Street's week-ending rally. Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 75.08 points, or 0.89 percent, 9,597.58, and the broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 8.5 points, or 0.95 percent, to 906.41.

May 9th, 2009 Gold prices hold steady as Wall Street ralliesNEW YORK — Gold prices are holding steady as a rally in stocks keeps demand for the safe-haven asset in check. Other commodities, like oil and grains, are surging on the day's upbeat economic data.

April 23rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Strong financials of domestic companies and robust demand in sectors like telecom, pharma and capital goods will kickstart inbound merger and acquisition (M&A) activities in India in the next six to nine months, an industry lobby report said Thursday. The report by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) said: 'Inbound M&As, which had witnessed a steep fall of 85 percent due to the global financial crisis, and consolidation deals are expected to show signs of revival by October-December period 2009.' Assocham president Sajjan Jindal said in the report: 'Indian companies could attract greater number of inbound M&A deals as the equity valuations of certain sectors like telecom, pharma, and capital goods offer lucrative strategic option to bigger foreign companies.' In January-March 2009, the inbound M&A deals, which had the maximum share in total M&A deal size during October-December 2008, contracted by a whopping 85.28 percent.

March 14th, 2009 NEW YORK - Wall Street stock indices continued a nearly week-long rally Friday, capping the best week since November amid some signs that the global economy may be stabilising. The rally followed gains in global markets as some major US banks have posted unexpected gains in the first two months of the year.

March 2nd, 2009 MUMBAI - In one of the largest merger deals in India, Reliance Petroleum will merge with its parent and the country's biggest company, Reliance Industries, in what the promoters say will create better synergies for them in the hydrocarbons space. The board of the two companies met here Monday to unanimously approve the merger in the ratio of one share of Reliance Industries for every 16 shares of Reliance Petroleum.

December 29th, 2008 NEW YORK - US stocks fell, as a volatile year for the markets draws to a close, amid concerns over bleak corporate news and tensions in the Middle East and South Asia. A $17.4-billion deal between Kuwait's state-run Petrochemical Industries Co and Dow Chemical Co, the largest US chemical maker, fell through.