Why do firms purchase other corporations? are they simpl;y paying too much for the acquired corporation?
541543
There are many reasons for mergers.\n\nThey include\n-Economies of scale\n-Defensive motives\n-Diversification\n-Growth\n-Monopoly\n\nNot all of the time.  Back in the day with all of the LBOs with KKR, etc., they made tons of money on many deals.  These days, one reason that mergers fail is that they overpay and there's a ton of goodwill that's pretty much useless.  Often, the seller doesn't want to sell, so the buyer has to pay a premium to convince the sellers to sell the company.
11073
equiserve.com manages direct stock purchase plans for hundreds of companies. Perhaps the one you are thinking of is listed there. The transaction fees buying direct is a lot cheaper than paying the $7/trade through Scottrade or $10-17 for etrade.\nI know Exxon charges no fees when you buy direct through them (equiserve.com manages their purchase program)\n\nTo find out if the company you are interested has a direct stock purchase plan, go to the company's website and click on the "investors" links...and see if they have any information. \n\nIf the company doesn't offer direct purchase, your next cheapest way is to go through a discount broker  like scottrade,etrade,waterhouse. You can also look at sharebuilder.com if you want to buy the stock monthly at a set amount. It can be as cheap as $1/transaction every month if you put money in 20 different stocks..normal fees are $4/trade via their monthly plan.\n\nKeep an eye on the stock and watch for company news. Investors Business Daily recommends cutting your loss if the stock drops 7-8% from your buy point. This is to protect you from the possibility the stock drops even more. Also keep an eye on the daily and weekly volume in the stock. There is support in the stock if it goes up and the volume is above average. The opposite is also true...a down day with high volume or volume 2-5x higher than normal may indicate institutional investors are dumping.\n\nGood Luck!
456306
You need to look at their prospectus. They own a lot.
21305
Many firms use machines as tax write-offs.\n\nA new machine is purchased when an older one "falls off the books" or it's depreciated value is reduced to zero.\n\nMy firm turns computers and printers every 2 years to keep up with technology and software advances.  We also purchase after the new technology is 6 months old, so we avoid being the beta testers!
550886
There are companies that keep track of those things but usually they are a) brokers b) too expensive (esignal is one example)\n\nRival
1119677
best thing of eliminating large business would be the freedom of commerce again. it's sad to see local stores/mom&pop stores die down because of the large corps. there would be more fierce competition between the smaller companies but it would be more stimulating for the economy. like in the old days where you go to the local store and see something for $10, go to another store for $12 and tell them the other store was cheaper, they'd give you the discount and make you feel appreciated. nowadays, they'll ask for proof of the pricing, bring in their flyer and show us the price and then, maybe, we'll match the price. larger corp have excellent pricing but do treat employees like crap and provide horrible service. if small businesses could provide the pricing of larger corps, then big buisness wouldn't exist. even if there were no large corp and just small local companies, it would eventually come back to large corp since the smaller guys would like to expand their operations and make more money. The bigget thing I miss about small local businesses is the attention to the customer. having the clerks remember your name and what you needed, stuff like that. Today in Walmart or Home depot, you'd be lucky enough just to find someone who spoke english. as things expand, the core that once started gets smaller and smaller. the concern focuses on growing rather than maintaining. the problem really doesn't matter about logistics, it's making the customer feel appreciated and that their business is welcomed. todays market, you can get pretty much anythng from anyone so there is no uniqueness to the stores anymore. corporate logos and endless aisles of matter, but no substance.
546093
Two companies joining together on even footing.  Neither one is taking over the other.  Doesn't happen that often because it requires CEO's to agree with each other completely on how the business should be run.
763250
Can  you buy their portion of the company out?
116385
Actually they're both different transactions. It's all part of a negotiation tactic. One usually tries to get the most value up front, so we try to get two cents out of them. When they feel reluctant to put their two cents in, we can take the next step and make a deal they can't refuse: we'll pay them to tell us their thoughts. But notice that it's not two pennies for your thoughts. That would create a negative cash flow. It's all written off as a marketing expense anyway.
183014
Companies do not set a specific amount to purchase per year. Oxy announced plans to repurchase 10 millions shares of its common stock. However, based on market conditions, they may add another 20 million shares to the buyback. Share buybacks are always done at times when the company believes its shares are undervalued, so they are in essence cheap. Also, by taking shares off the market, they increase the EPS (earnings per share) that will be reported the following year.
451225
Yes, the added value is set by the business selling their product to consumers. But if you buy from the cheapest source, that business who has the higher added value will have to decrease their selling price in order to compete.
154409
If the company was bought by overseas investors then the company can be sold to another group of overseas investors or to another group on american investors but it cannot be sold to the same company because they already own the company.\nIf you buy your neighbour's house you can sell it back to your neighbour but if you buy ReMax (It's a Companty) you cannot sell back ReMax to ReMax because ReMax is now yourself.
1036613
merger is 2 companies combining into 1... acquisition one company is taking the other over
898452
I can't answer this specifically for those companies, but what generally happens is that your stock is converted to stock in the new company, at a rate specified by the takeover company. (1 share in the new company for every 2 shares owned in the target company, for example)  You should receive a letter soon, explaining what has happened.
626893
Since Boston Scientific is the company doing the takeover, the cost basis for their shares shouldn't change. (Although you should check for any tax documentation that Boston sends out, in case there are any unusual quirks.) If you need assistance determining your Boston Scientific cost basis, you may want to check out taxbasis.com
889315
Yes, It happens quite often. The two companies agree to "turn in" their stock at a agreed upon value and receive stock in a newly formed or "merged company". Though usually called a merger of equals one of the former original companies is seen as dominant or the "winner"
956934
Pretty much is the same, but there is a company that put all that into one business you can own. for more info email me.