They’re the ultimate bets companies can make on their futures. So M&A activity can reflect confidence in the economy.

Kroger would become a bigger competitor against giants like Walmart, giving it more bargaining power over suppliers.

CEO Steven Swartz highlights the media giant’s important, if little-known, stakes in automotive information and B2B operations.

The U.S. government is concerned about the national security risks in Chinese companies buying American companies.

Oil has risen to roughly $40 a barrel after plummeting in April. With prices holding steady, big oil companies are likely to pounce on smaller ones.

Uncertainty means companies can’t put a proper valuation on the companies they want to buy. And banks are tightening financing, too.

Companies date, some break up, others marry and try their odds.

Why the company is focused on Europe for growth.