And Verizon's acquisition, announced Tuesday, of NorthPoint Communications, an Internet access provider.

While Sitel has been snapping up smaller telemarketing companies since 1992, four acquisitions announced this year have significantly increased the company's revenue and earnings prospects.

The acquisition announced last week - of the Kansas City franchise of the American Advertising Distributors, a coupon franchiser -was tied in with that philosophy.

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. said yesterday that it would sell $3 billion in debt in the third quarter to pay for three acquisitions announced since May.

L), announced the acquisition of ParadisePoker.com, one of the online poker industry's first and largest cardrooms.

Ms. Nielsen said The New York Times Company expects to formally purchase the Metropolitan News Company on Monday, a proposed acquisition announced in February.

It was the world's largest brewing company based on revenue, but third in brewing volume, before the acquisition by InBev announced 13 July 2008.

The accounting board said it expected the new rules to be effective for mergers or acquisitions announced after Jan. 1, 2001.

Plans changed when recent acquisition, third baseman Andy Carey, announced his retirement, sparking interest in making Demeter the Phillies new third baseman.

The acquisition of McCaw Cellular Communications Inc. announced yesterday by A.T.& T. has knocked over the investment game board for the telecommunications industry.