merger

(AP) - Panasonic has begun a $9 billion takeover of Japanese rival Sanyo, hoping that transforming into one of the world's biggest electronics companies will help it weather the toughest business conditions in a century. Top shareholders, including Goldman Sachs, had been haggling over the price with Panasonic since last month, but settled today on $1.47 a share, reports the AP. More »

(Newser) - General Motors and Chrysler are back in merger talks, reports the Wall Street Journal . Negotiations fizzled weeks ago as both companies viewed a merger as impractical and a potential distraction from federal bailout talks. Chrysler owner Cerberus Capital Management took the initiative to restart talks, and has signaled a willingness to give up some of its stake in the automaker. The move may be viewed by federal lawmakers as a sign that the companies are willing to go the distance to help save themselves. More »

(Newser) - Chrysler has contracted a law firm to help it prepare for bankruptcy, the Wall Street Journal reports. The hiring of Jones Day suggests the automaker faces immediate failure if Congress decides to deny financial assistance to Detroit automakers. Jones Day has experience in automotive matters and has represented the United Auto Workers in many cases. More »

(AP) - British Airways is in talks with Australia's Qantas Airways about a potential merger, the firm said today, sending its shares soaring as it fueled expectations of consolidation in the hard-hit aviation industry. Already pursuing a revenue-sharing deal with American Airlines and Spain's Iberia SA, BA said it’s exploring a "potential merger" with Qantas "via a dual-listed company structure." More »

(Newser) - Merger talks between Facebook and popular newcomer Twitter have ended without a deal, reports All Things Digital. Twitter wasn't satisfied with Facebook's offer of $500 million in stock, apparently concerned that the stock's valuation was too high, say insiders. Twitter also had concerns about how the two would integrate, and wanted to try building its revenue—currently zero—before pursuing a merger. More »

(Newser) - The state-owned Bank of China emerged last night as the main player in a new takeover bid for Halifax Bank of Scotland. HBOS, the largest bank in Britain, is currently being taken over by Lloyds, but a former HBOS executive is now putting together a counteroffer. If the deal goes through it would represent the largest-ever overseas acquisition by a Chinese bank, reports the Scotsman . More »

(Newser) - General Motors and Chrysler have ironed out the major issues in their proposed merger, bringing the troubled giants a step closer to becoming the world's largest automaker. The deal's final form will depend on financing and government support—of which GM is requesting $10 billion—but both companies agree GM chief  Rick Wagoner will run the hybrid, Reuters reports. More »

(Newser) - Automakers just got a $25 billion loan from Uncle Sam, but now