Mergers and acquisitions

United and Continental Airlines have been talking about a merger for years, and now they could officially join forces as soon as Monday. The deal would create the world's biggest carrier. Jennifer Collins reports.

Continental and United are said to be in merger talks. That could be bad news for passengers in cities like Cleveland. Brett Neely reports.

Last week there was merger talk in the air for United and U.S. Airways, but it seems United's real target may have been Continental. Bill Radke talks to Marketplace's Jeremy Hobson about what makes the deal so attractive for the two carriers.

Early reports indicate United Airlines and U.S. Airways are talking about joining forces. The merger of those two would create the second-biggest airline in the country. Bill Radke explores the move with Marketplace's Amy Scott.

Chinese car maker Geely is buying Volvo for $1.8 billion, the Chinese auto industry's largest acquisition so far. Bob Moon reports what Geely is getting for its money and why Ford may have set certain limits on the sale.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is hoping to make a deal with a generic drug maker to diversify. Marketplace's Gregory Warner reports why Pfizer is shifting its strategy and what it wants from a generics deal.

Time's Kate Betts talks with Bill Radke about whether the Phillips-Van Heusen acquisition of Tommy Hilfiger will change the fashion landscape and how the deal will work.

The Obama administration has blocked the merger of two Michigan insurers. The companies dropped their plans after the Justice Department threatened to sue. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

AIG has decided to sell one of its biggest units, American Life Insurance Co., to MetLife for about $15 billion. It's the second deal in a week for AIG. Jeremy Hobson reports on what's left of the insurer.

With consumers starting to spend a little, there's also new evidence that big businesses are feeling flush with cash and ready to jump in. Mitchell Hartman reports.