Most firms (86%) saw expansion coming from organic growth rather than from mergers and acquisition.

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Mergers and acquisition volumes in Europe are yet to show a significant pick-up but there are a couple bright signs on the horizon.

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An avalanche of mergers and acquisition activity has cut that number to seven, with the four majors controlling most of the rail lines.

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Meantime, the flurry of mergers and acquisition activity that began late last year and which launched the biotech sector into overdrive has slowed noticeably.

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Meanwhile, the cross-border mergers and acquisition business is heating up.

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As a result, I am bringing my prediction forward and believe that we are now on the verge of a wave of mergers and acquisition activity emanating from China.

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Stocks leapt to the finish after trading day full of mergers and acquisition news and if returns hold, this could be the market's best quarter since the financial crisis.

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There are countless studies of mergers and acquisitions showing that in the days surrounding acquisition announcements the share price of the buyer usually declines.

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