Mergers and Acquisitions

Partnerships emerge as appealing alternative to M&A in midst of shifting and uncertain market environment.

Partnerships emerge as appealing alternative to M&A in midst of shifting and uncertain market environment.

The Justice Department is close to challenging Anthem Inc.'s proposed acquisition of Cigna Corp. and Aetna Inc.'s planned combination with Humana Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, moves that would represent strong government pushback against consolidation in the health-insurance industry.

The Justice Department is close to challenging Anthem Inc.'s proposed acquisition of Cigna Corp. and Aetna Inc.'s planned combination with Humana Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, moves that would represent strong government pushback against consolidation in the health-insurance industry.

Monsanto Co. on Tuesday again rejected Bayer AG's takeover proposal, saying Bayer's improved $65 billion bid still undervalued the biotech seed giant -- but it left the door open to further talks with Bayer and "other parties."

Monsanto Co. on Tuesday again rejected Bayer AG's takeover proposal, saying Bayer's improved $65 billion bid still undervalued the biotech seed giant -- but it left the door open to further talks with Bayer and "other parties."

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.'s accessories unit, Battenfeld Technologies, Inc., said Monday it would buy knife maker Taylor Brands for $85 million in cash, expanding its knife and tool portfolio.

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.'s accessories unit, Battenfeld Technologies, Inc., said Monday it would buy knife maker Taylor Brands for $85 million in cash, expanding its knife and tool portfolio.

SoftBank has agreed to buy UK chip designer ARM Holdings in a $32.2 billion deal.

Germany's Bayer AG made a revised takeover bid for Monsanto Co. after previous attempts to seal the mega deal were rebuffed.

Germany's Bayer AG made a revised takeover bid for Monsanto Co. after previous attempts to seal the mega deal were rebuffed.

Seed company Monsanto Co, which rejected Bayer AG's buyout offer in May, is exploring various transactions, including the acquisition of BASF's agriculture-solutions unit, Bloomberg reported.

Seed company Monsanto Co, which rejected Bayer AG's buyout offer in May, is exploring various transactions, including the acquisition of BASF's agriculture-solutions unit, Bloomberg reported.

Struggling Japanese electronics maker Sharp approved a downgraded buyout proposal from Foxconn Technology Group on Wednesday, pushing months of negotiations closer to a conclusion.

Yahoo Inc. has given potential suitors two weeks to submit preliminary bids for its core Web business and Asian assets, according to people familiar with the matter.

NTT Data, a subsidiary of Japan's largest telecommunications group Nippon Telegraph & Telephone, said Monday it had agreed to purchase Dell's information-technology-services division for $3.05 billion.

Yum Brands Inc. is considering selling a stake in its Chinese operation as part of a plan by the restaurant giant to spin off the once-fast-growing business.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide said it had agreed to a sweetened $13.6 billion deal with Marriott International on Monday, trumping last week's boosted bid from Chinese insurer Anbang Insurance Group.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has received a takeover offer from a group led by China's Anbang Insurance Group Co., threatening to upend Starwood's $12.2 billion tie-up with Marriott International Inc.

Rovi said it would acquire TiVo Inc. for about $1.1 billion, a tie-up that comes as consumers are increasingly changing how they watch videos.