Alcoa, Verizon Push Dow Index Close to 14,000, Helped by Mergers, Buybacks

(Bloomberg) -- Buyouts and buybacks have the Dow
Jones Industrial Average flirting with 14,000 for the first
time, and may drive the 111-year-old measure higher.

Alcoa Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., each the
subject of takeover speculation, have surged since the Dow
average surpassed 13,000 on April 25. General Electric Co.
accelerated the gain after doubling its share-buyback plan,
adding to the fastest rate of stock repurchases.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Rebel investor seeks to turn up heat on Vodafone

(Reuters) - "At last Vodafone seems to have recognized that it must have a coherent strategy for its investment in Verizon Wireless," ECS Chairman Glenn Cooper said in a statement.




"The ill-conceived plans leaked to the Financial Times show Vodafone does not have one."


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

US STOCKS-Indexes little changed; Verizon up on M&A talk

(Reuters) - NEW YORK, July 16 - U.S. stocks were little
changed on Monday as investors paused after Friday's record
highs to weigh the latest speculation on the mergers and
acquisition front.




Shares of Verizon Communications were the top gainer
on the Dow after a Financial Times Web site said on Monday
Vodafone Group was considering a $160 billion takeover
bid for the U.S. wireless operator. Vodafone denied the report,
but Verizon shares still rose 2.5 percent to $42.81.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

Vodafone says has no plans to bid for Verizon

(Reuters) - Earlier on Monday, the Financial Times reported on its Alphaville Web site that Vodafone had been considering a $160 billion bid for Verizon.




Read more at Reuters.com Business News