Mergers and Acquisitions

Connecticut electric utility UIL has agreed to buy Philadelphia Gas Works, the nation’s largest municipally-owned natural gas utility, for $1.86 billion.

Men's Wearhouse entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Jos. A. Bank and received a draft merger agreement from the smaller company.

Mattel agreed to buy Mega Brands for roughly $460 million including debt, as the toy maker looks to better compete with Lego.

Jos. A. Bank rejected the latest takeover bid from Men’s Wearhouse, although the company opened the door to talks with its rival suit seller.

Italy's Versace inked a deal with Blackstone that values the fashion designer at one billion euros. 

Activist investor Carl Icahn refuses to back down as eBay continues to engage him in a war of words over the company’s corporate governance and the future of PayPal.

In the wake of Facebook’s $19 billion buyout WhatsApp, BlackBerry is reportedly open to eventually spinning off or selling BlackBerry Messenger service.

Men’s Wearhouse again raised its offer for Jos. A. Bank, proposing a $1.78 billion takeover on Monday as long as its rival suit seller halts a deal for Eddie Bauer.

Royal Dutch Shell reached a deal to sell its refinery and gas stations in Australia to energy trader Vitol for $2.6 billion, as the oil giant continues to shed less profitable businesses.

Safeway announced it is engaged in conversations about a possible sale of the grocery chain, driving shares more than 4% higher.

Kay Jewelers will acquire smaller rival Zale for $21 per share in cash, sending shares of Zale popping 40% pre-market.

Devon Energy turned a profit in the 4Q and unveiled a $2.8 billion deal to sell its conventional assets in Canada to Canadian Natural Resources.

Shares of Tesla Motors popped 3% to all-time highs following reports that Elon Musk met with Apple’s M&A chief last spring.

Eminence Capital, a major shareholder in Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, said Tuesday the suit seller’s $825 million deal to acquire Eddie Bauer is a poor strategic fit for the company.

Anadarko agreed to sell its China unit to Brightoil Petroleum for $1.08 billion, as the oil and gas company reshapes its portfolio of oil-field assets.

Actavis said it will acquire Forest Laboratories in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $25 billion, creating a specialty pharmaceuticals heavyweight. 

Cable Combo: Comcast to buy Time Warner Cable in all-stock merger valued at $45.2 billion.

Microchip Technology agreed to buy Supertex for $394 million in cash as it looks to expand its footprint in the medical, industrial and lighting markets.

Alibaba offered to acquire AutoNavi, the Chinese digital mapping and navigation firm, for $1.45 billion.

E.W. Scripps agreed to buy two television stations in Detroit and Buffalo, N.Y., from Granite Broadcasting for $110 million in cash.