1.   For Fleet, which has recently made big acquisitions, the move clears an obstacle in integrating its multi-state operations.

2.   It is the second time in under a year that the packaging and printing giant has issued new equity for big acquisitions.

3.   Analysts and securities lawyers also said that McKesson had been dying to make a big acquisition that would strengthen its dominant position in the health care services field.

4.   Analysts say Reed Elsevier will be armed with cash and looking for a big acquisition.

5.   Analysts said that the surging value of the other Internet leaders made more big acquisitions all the more likely.

6.   Analysts say Banc One can afford to wait on making a big acquisition.

7.   And he said that the rise of electronic banking made him less interested in making big acquisitions of other banks.

8.   And many analysts expect Amazon to make some big acquisitions, as well.

9.   At this moment of sky-high Internet valuations, that can sometimes make it difficult for the old-line local phone giants to pull off big acquisitions.

10.   Because the two firms are competing with each other for almost every big acquisition, there is no love lost between them.