The decade saw a slowdown of many developed and emerging economies. This slowdown made business enterprises think about the strategies which are viable to sustain growth. Many companies choose the way of combing the business to form a new entity and face the adverse situation with new zeal.
We have listed out the 20 biggest mergers and acquisitions that marked the change in the business strategy of the companies in an attempt to survive and grow in the new business environment.
Here Is a List of the 22 Biggest Mergers and Acquisitions Companies
- Verizon and Verizon Wireless
- Dow and DuPont combine businesses
- Anheuser-Busch InBev and SAB Miller
- Heinz and Kraft
- AT&T and Time Warner tie-up
- Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable merger
- Disney and 21st Century Fox
- CVS and Aetna
- Cigna and Express Scripts
- United Technologies and Raytheon
- Dell and EMC Corporation
- Actavis and Allergan Inc
- Royal Dutch and BG group
- Saudi Aramco and SABIC
- Praxair and Linde AG
- Unilever PLC with Unilever NV
- Cerner acquires Kantar Health
- Microsoft acquires Nuance
- Discovery Inc. by AT&T
- Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd and Kansas City Southern
- Broadco’s acquisition of VMware
- Pfizer’s acquisition of Seagen
1. Verizon buys Verizon Wireless
On the list of the biggest mergers and acquisitions, this deal grabbed the first spot. Additionally, this deal was the biggest of 2014 and of the decade. Verizon bought Vodafone’s stake in Verizon Wireless. Therefore, Verizon had to pay $130 billion for the deal for 45% of the shares that Vodafone had held since 1999. Consequently, the deal brought Vodafone from second to fourth place in the ranking of the world’s largest wireless carriers. Moreover, the $58.9 billion payment was made in cash, with $60.2 billion in common stock by Verizon to Vodafone.
2. Dow and DuPont combine businesses
In 2016, one of the biggest mergers in the last 10 years took place. Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont combined in a $130 billion deal. This merger created a massive agricultural chemical company. DuPont’s seed business was also included. The new entity, named DowDupont, will eventually split. It aims to form three independent, publicly traded companies.
3. Anheuser-Busch InBev acquires SAB Miller
This deal was also finalized in 2016, when the world’s largest beer maker, Anheuser-Busch, bought its rival, SABMiller, for more than $100 billion. The speculation was in the air before the acquisition, which was confirmed by both companies in November 2015. The combined company now has $55 billion in yearly sales and holds 28% of the beer market across the globe. Lastly, this deal ranks third in the list of the biggest mergers and acquisitions.
4. Heinz merged with Kraft
H.J. Heinz Co. and Kraft Foods Group merged, forming the Kraft Heinz Company. Additionally, this deal appears to be specially highlighted on the merger companies list. Furthermore, it’s poised to become the fifth-largest food company by sales. Under the agreement, Heinz secures a 51% stake, while Kraft receives the remaining share. Moreover, both parties unanimously agreed to this arrangement. Ultimately, the merger’s value stands at about $100 billion.
5. AT&T and Time Warner tie-up
In 2018, the AT&T and Time Warner merger made headlines. It became one of the notable mergers and acquisitions examples. Initially, in 2016, AT&T proposed to acquire Time Warner. The $85.4 billion deal was later approved by regulators. Despite opposition, the U.S. Department of Justice decided not to block it. Thus, the two companies successfully merged.
6.Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable merger
Charter Communications, Inc. and Time Warner Cable Inc. merging has been a significant event on the famous mergers list. This agreement values Time Warner Cable at $78.7 billion. Additionally, Charter plans to acquire Bright House Networks for $10.4 billion. An amendment to the agreement outlines this acquisition. These strategic moves exemplify notable mergers and acquisitions in the industry.
7. Disney buys 21st Century Fox
The Walt Disney Co. acquisition of 21st Century Fox marks a milestone in the biggest mergers and acquisitions. Costing $85 billion, it’s the entertainment sector’s largest buyout. Disney’s goal is to dominate internet video entertainment. Traditionally, Disney focused on cinematic distribution. However, millennials’ preference for online streaming has shifted the landscape. This change has elevated services like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu.
8. CVS and Aetna biggest acquisition in the healthcare
In 2017, CVS’s acquisition of Aetna reshaped healthcare, a prime example of mergers and acquisitions. CVS, a major drugstore and insurer, joined forces with Aetna, a top US health insurer. Recognized as a historic health insurance deal, it demanded antitrust approval. However, skepticism marked the regulators’ initial stance. CVS invested $67.5 billion, offering $207 per Aetna share, blending cash and stock.
9. Cigna acquire Express Scripts
After the Department of Justice’s approval, Cigna’s acquisition of Express Scripts awaited state agencies’ consent. Additionally, costing $70 billion, it’s also among the biggest mergers and acquisitions. Moreover, finalized in December 2018, the deal marks a healthcare milestone. Furthermore, Cigna’s plan aims to enhance healthcare affordability and flexibility. Consequently, this strategy intends to reduce costs and improve services.
10. United Technologies buys Raytheon
United Technologies Corp. and Raytheon Co. decided to merge, creating a new entity. Consequently, this mergers and acquisitions example cost $121 billion. Moreover, it’s poised to be the aviation industry’s largest merger. Additionally, the new company will rank as one of the largest in aerospace sales. Furthermore, both firms will equally share ownership. Overall, this deal reflects a shift towards self-funded technology investments in response to reduced military spending.
11. Dell obtains EMC Corporation
Dell, along with its associates MSD Partners and Silver Lake, bought EMC back in 2015. Subsequently, the deal will make Dell and EMC the largest privately controlled, integrated technology companies. This $74 billion deal will help Dell enhance its technology portfolio to solve complex business problems. Following that, the agreement was finalized in 2016, and the new company was named Dell EMC. Importantly, this acquisition ranks in the 11th spot on the list of the biggest mergers and acquisitions.
12. Actavis buys off Allergan Inc
In the fall of 2014, Actavis acquired Allergan for $66 billion. Initially, the money was paid in a combination of stock and cash. Subsequently, the deal will enhance the portfolio of Actavis in ophthalmology, neurology, urology, and dermatology. Following the buyout, Actavis changed its name to Allergan, except for a few geographical areas. Remarkably, this was the first time that an Irish company had bought the giant American company.
13. Royal Dutch bought in BG group
In 2016, Royal Dutch Shell’s purchase of BG Group was a headline in the list of the biggest mergers and acquisitions. Consequently, the $53 billion deal propelled Shell to second-largest energy company status. Positioned beside Exxon Mobil, Shell’s market cap soared. Furthermore, this acquisition strengthens Shell’s oil and gas market presence. As oil prices plummeted, the move countered an industry downturn.
14. Saudi Aramco pays for stakes in SABIC
This contract was signed between two Saudi companies in the year 2019. Saudi Aramco obtained 70% of the stakes in Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC). The deal cost $69.1 billion. Consequently, the remaining shares will remain in the public domain to be traded in the market. This was a major deal in the chemical industry. Moreover, the deal is supposed to stop the downward spiral. Additionally, the plan was in place to buy out the shares but got delayed due to regulatory factors.
15. Praxair merged with Linde AG
In the merger companies list, this deal is also important. In 2018, Praxair Inc. and the Linde Group were highly anticipated. Approved by both the US Federal and European Commissions, it’s one of the most significant mergers and acquisitions events. Signed in October, the deal unites two industry leaders. Together, they aim for a larger market share. Additionally, the new company boasts a wider reach and diverse products. With a joint investment of $85.5 billion, expansion is expected.
16. Unilever PLC with Unilever NV
We have seen some of the biggest mergers and acquisitions in the last decade in the above list. Moreover, the year 2020 has also witnessed several changes, including numerous mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, the world-renowned company Unilever has announced its merger from Unilever N.V. into Unilever PLC. Consequently, this will make it a holding company based in the UK. Notably, the transaction value of the merger was recorded at $81 billion, which has placed it on our list of the biggest mergers and acquisitions of the decade. Furthermore, in the wake of COVID-19, there have been a lot of disturbances all over the world. Importantly, the British multinational consumer goods company has contributed over €100 million through donations of essentials like soaps, hand sanitizer, bleach, and food to tackle the global COVID-19 crisis.
17. Cerner acquires Kantar Health
Eight months ago, Cerner was planning to make a move into the health IT space. Consequently, the leaders announced they were spending $375 million on the analytics firm. Additionally, Cerner has specialties in Alzheimer’s, oncology, and rare diseases. Its skills found a good match with Kantar’s abilities and enhanced its pharmaceutical life sciences research capabilities. Consequently, the mergers build out the Learning Health Network consortium.
18. Microsoft acquires Nuance
Microsoft acquiring Nuance has been one of the second-biggest mergers and acquisitions of the year 2021. A few months ago, Microsoft bid a whopping $19.7 billion for Nuance Communications. Additionally, Nuance was prepared for a buyout of its own and scooped up AI-powered clinical documentation startup Saykara. Notably, it is an established player in voice-enabled clinical documentation.
19. Discovery Inc. by AT&T
In April 2022, AT&T acquired Discovery Inc. This emerged as the biggest mergers and acquisitions event. Consequently, this strategy involves merging with WarnerMedia. Under the leadership of CEO David Zaslav, Discovery gained operational control. As a result, Warner Bros had been created. The deal was finalized after the Antitrust clearance.
20. Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd and Kansas City Southern
The Canadian National Railway bid a competitive war against the Canadian Pacific Railway. Eventually, the deal closed, marking a $27.2 billion cash-and-stock acquisition of Kansas City Southern, catapulting it onto the list of the biggest mergers and acquisitions of 2022. Consequently, it will establish the first direct railway linking Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Following the completion of this deal, Kansas City Southern (KCS) shareholders have received 2.8% of Canadian Pacific Railway. Additionally, KCS received US$90 in cash for each common share and retained US$37.50 in cash for each KCS preferred share.
21. Broadco’s Acquisition Of VMware
Broadcom finalized its VMware purchase in November 2023, aiming to lead in infrastructure technology. They seek to empower enterprises with private and hybrid cloud environments. The acquisition promises enhanced security and resilience for global customers. Furthermore, Broadcom’s strategy includes investing in the VMware Cloud Foundation. This foundation serves as the cornerstone of private and hybrid clouds. Additionally, VMware will offer services to modernize cloud and edge environments. These services include application deployment acceleration and advanced security services. The deal, valued at $69 billion, marks a significant shift towards enterprise software for Broadcom.
22. Pfizer’s Acquisition Of Seagen
Lastly, on the list of the biggest mergers and acquisitions of the decade, we have Pfizer’s acquisition of Seagen in December 2023. Pfizer finalized its acquisition of Seagen for $43 billion. This strategic move significantly bolsters Pfizer’s oncology portfolio. Moreover, Seagen, a pioneer in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology, aligns with Pfizer’s growth trajectory. Furthermore, the deal promises to accelerate breakthrough cancer treatments. Pfizer aims to leverage Seagen’s expertise, enhancing its position as a leader in oncology. The acquisition reflects Pfizer’s commitment to battling cancer. Notably, it also marks one of the largest investments in Pfizer’s history. Ultimately, this union could transform the future of cancer therapy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are the top 22 biggest mergers and acquisitions of the decade. In this blog, we have explained all the deals in the simplest way possible. We have especially covered the future aims of companies that bought or acquired other companies. We hope that you gained valuable knowledge through this blog. Please share this blog with your family, and friends who might be interested in reading this topic.
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