Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are business transactions that consolidate companies or assets. Here are the five biggest M&As of all time.
Vodafone & Mannesmann
In 1999, Vodafone AirTouch PLC acquired industrial conglomerate Mannesmann for $180.95 billion in the largest merger in history. However, the deal was a failure and forced Vodafone to write off billions in losses.
America Online (AOL) & Time Warner
In 2000, American media giant AOL bought Time Warner for $165 billion in the second-largest merger ever. By 2009, the two companies separated as AOL continued to lose value.
Verizon Communications & Verizon Wireless
In 2013, Verizon Communications acquired Verizon Wireless, a dominant entity in the US wireless market, from Vodafone for $130 billion, in the third-largest acquisition of all time.
Dow Chemical & DuPont
In 2017, Dow Chemical and DuPont merged to form DowDuPont Inc. for $130 billion, the fourth-largest merger. The joint entity split into three companies in 2019.
Anheuser-Busch InBev & SABMiller
In 2016, alcoholic beverage maker Anheuser-Busch InBev merged with rival SABMiller for $104 billion. Aimed at competing in emerging markets, it became the fifth-largest merger in history.
Thanks for reading!
See next