11.   This must then, within six months, carry out an investigation of the costs and benefits to determine whether the merger is contrary to the public interest.

12.   At present the Monopolies and Mergers Commission is charged with determining whether a proposed merger is contrary to the public interest.

13.   The current official view is therefore that mergers are part and parcel of the competitive process, as opposed to restrictive practices which impede that process.

14.   But merger is not always tantamount to takeover.

15.   Meanwhile Cromadex, the fast-growing area within Courtaulds Coatings, believes the merger is the route to expanding its low-volume fast delivery operation.

16.   Also, analysts still have substantial questions as to whether this merger will be successful in the long run.

17.   Although Chase Manhattan Bank and Chemical Bank are in New York, their merger is likely to affect employees who live in northern New Jersey.

18.   Although both Sprint and WorldCom are officially keeping their options open, the merger is dead.

19.   Although Stonecipher had thought about leaving once the merger was complete, Condit asked him to stay on as president.

20.   Among other things, the study concluded that mergers of equals were less successful than acquisitions of smaller companies.