Deals

Rumors are flying that E*Trade and TD Ameritrade are again discussing a possible merger, a long-contemplated move that would create an online stock trading powerhouse. The companies reportedly have been in talks for several weeks, but it's not likely that a deal is imminent. Current discussions are ...

Microsoft announced plans to acquire online advertising exchange AdECN -- its latest move in an aggressive strategy to build out its advertising platform. Although the financial terms of the deal haven't been disclosed, "all of the shareholders are extremely, extremely happy with the deal and acquis...

HP will buy Opsware, the data center automation software firm cofounded by Netscape creator Marc Andreessen, in a deal worth around $1.6 billion. HP will pay $14.25 per share in cash for Opsware, which it intends to fold into its Business Technology Optimization software product line. The purchase p...

Answers Corp., which owns Answers.com, plans to acquire Dictionary.com for a cool $100 million, the company announced Monday. Technically, Answers will buy Lexico Publishing Group, the owner of Dictionary.com, Thesaurus.com and Reference.com. In June, Lexico's sites attracted 11.5 million unique mon...

IBM has landed a $1.4 billion contract to provide outsourced information technology services to pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, a deal that boosts IBM's service arm and enhances its reputation in the key life sciences vertical. The seven-year deal calls for Big Blue to run servers, data storage sy...

Google has struck a deal to have the international technology supplier Ingram Micro distribute its enterprise search tools. The agreement is the search giant's most aggressive bid yet to foster growth in its relatively fledgling corporate search division. Ingram Micro will sell both the Google Mini ...

Google has struck a deal with Hearst-Argyle Television to have local news content from the company's local TV affiliates made available on YouTube, with the TV stations sharing in the revenue generated when video clips are viewed online. The deal covers five Hearst-Argyle stations in Sacramento, Cal...

Private investors will acquire wireless carrier Alltel in a deal worth around $27.5 billion, as the private equity buyout trend reaches into the mobile space for the first time. Alltel's board of directors agreed over the weekend to be acquired by TPG Capital and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners for $...

Microsoft announced on Friday it will acquire Web ad firm aQuantive in a deal valued at $6 billion, marking the latest and largest deal in a merger-and-acquisition frenzy aimed at staking a claim in the converging worlds of traditional and online advertising. Microsoft agreed to pay $66.50 per share...

Interactive marketing firm 24/7 Real Media has agreed to be acquired by UK-based advertising giant WPP Group, continuing the trend of consolidation in the online advertising space. London-based WPP will pay $11.75 per share for 24/7, WPP said, giving the all-cash deal a value of $649 million. New Yo...

In an expected but by no means insignificant move, Google will begin selling 30-second ads to run on hundreds of radio stations operated by Clear Channel Radio. The deal is part of the search engine giant's determined expansion beyond the Internet, and it's one that should bring much-needed revenue ...

Google nemesis Viacom has struck a deal to have rival search engine Yahoo deliver advertising to its broadband-friendly Web sites. Yahoo will become the exclusive provider of sponsored search and contextual ads on 33 Viacom sites, including MTV.com, VH1.com, Nickelodeon.com and ComedyCentral.com. Th...

Xerox has announced it will acquire Global Imaging Systems, a provider of automated office equipment, network integration services, and electronic presentation systems, for $1.5 billion, or $29 per share, in an all-cash transaction. The deal is structured in two steps: a cash tender offer for all Gl...

CBS on Thursday announced a deal with YouTube to form a new Web channel featuring clips and highlights from the annual NCAA basketball tournament known as "March Madness." The deal comes just days after CBS' former sister company, Viacom, filed suit against YouTube -- and its owner, Google -- seekin...

EMI on Friday formally rejected a $4.1 billion takeover bid from Warner Music Group, in the latest music industry attempt to consolidate the few remaining major labels. The world's third- and fourth-largest record labels, EMI and Warner have been flirting with a possible merger for some time. EMI sa...