DEALS

As the economic crisis squeezes U.S. government budgets and priorities shift beyond defense, the world's top defense contractors will likely turn to acquisitions to ensure they can keep growing.

Independent oil and gas research, Derrick petroleum Service on Thursday said a $20 Billion excess of Oil and Gas assets is currently for sale worldwide due to the whipsaw in oil and gas prices demand in the economic downturn with estimated value of more than $10 million.

Kazakhstan, one of the world's biggest uranium producers, accused a key industry executive on Wednesday of illegally selling deposits to foreign companies, a move that has alarmed the business community.

On horseback, motorbike and foot, Mongolians headed to the polls Sunday to elect a new president whom residents and investors alike hope will facilitate the windswept country's efforts to tap its vast mineral wealth.

Cheap valuations and glimmers of economic recovery are tempting cash-rich technology companies to seek acquisitions, and the second half of 2009 could see some steady dealmaking.

Pfizer Inc has struck licensing agreements with two Indian-based companies, as the world's largest drugmaker seeks new avenues of growth in generics and emerging markets.

After months of shunning the initial public offerings of tech companies, investors have begun warming to them again, yet another sign the IPO market might be recovering.

Growing demand, cheaper financing and wider participation are expected to double the volume of asset-backed securities issuance in the upcoming round of the Federal Reserve's TALF program in June.

Amazon on Wednesday launched a next generation Kindle, an e-reader with a large, textbook, magazine and newspaper-friendly screen called the DX.

Morgan Stanley is not likely to pursue a retail bank acquisition while it scrambles to complete its joint venture with Citigroup Inc brokerage unit Smith Barney, Morgan Chief Executive John Mack said.

General Motors moved closer to selling a majority stake in Opel, while the deadline for Chrysler to find a partner entered its final days, and Japan's Toyota kept its top global ranking even after reporting a 27 percent drop in sales.

Yahoo shares rose Monday after reports that software maker Microsoft is discussing possible search and advertising partnerships with the Internet portal.

In the fast-paced world we live in, owning cars is an essential necessity in life. With a car, you can manage your life easier, and more efficiently.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is challenging some of the tax deals structured by AIG Financial Products Corp, the unit of the giant insurer that has caused political outrage over $165 million in employee bonuses, the Wall Street Journal said.

If my e-mail inbox is any gauge of the current climate, travelers are looking for ways to cut costs on airfare. I’ve gotten lots of questions lately about “consolidator” fares. Do the bucket shops...

Purchases by governments and state-backed firms made up a record proportion of global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in February, underscoring how the financial crisis has sidelined private-sector buyers.

Look for countries with strong middle-class growth -- say, China or Brazil. Stick mainly to housing and retail. Focus on the long term. And don't attempt to do it without a local partner.

As Brazil becomes one of the world?s major players in investment opportunity, airlines are vying to offer new flights and routes. American Airlines launched service from Miami (MIA) to Recife (REC) and Salvador da Bahia (SSA) on Nov. 2 and to Belo Horizonte (CNF) on Nov. 4. Delta Air Lines inaugurated daily flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Manaus (MAO) in late November, alo.....

The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals involving European, U.S. and Asian companies were reported by 1430 GMT on Monday.

Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson said it had signed deals with 10 music labels to add content to its PlayNow service, which lets users download music via their mobile phones.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co and Hitachi Ltd are discussing multi-billion dollar deals on flat panels that could reshape an industry hit by fierce competition, a source familiar with the matter said.