Article: The year of the deal Low interest rates, strong market fuel trend

Corporate America yesterday decided to play "Let's Make a Deal."

Six major mergers, with a collective value of more than $18 billion, were announced yesterday morning before most people had time to finish their first cup of coffee. It was a day of mergers in what is fast becoming the year of the merger.

As of Nov. 3, American companies had announced $359 billion worth of mergers and acquisitions, already more than last year's record $347 billion, according to Securities Data Co.

"It is going to go on and on," said Allen Sinai, chief economist at Lehman Bros., a New York investment firm. The forces driving the mergers -- low interest rates, a strong stock market and intense competition in ...

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