11.   Hicks Muse is one of the largest owners of radio stations, following a series of acquisitions this year by its Capstar Broadcasting and Chancellor Media Corp.

12.   Interstate plans more acquisitions this year in Florida and California, said spokesman Tom Loftus.

13.   It was the largest independent residential broker in the nation until its acquisition this year by giant Coldwell Banker.

14.   Most bank acquisitions this year have been for about twice book.

15.   PacifiCorp already made one acquisition this year that it claims will raise earnings immediately.

16.   PacifiCorp already made an acquisition this year that it said will raise earnings immediately.

17.   PacifiCorp already made one acquisition this year that it said will raise earnings immediately.

18.   Publicis made about a dozen acquisitions this year and plans to continue its acquisition binge at the same rhythm in the first half of next year.

19.   Such optimism about the future also infected companies, which had an insatiable appetite for huge mergers and acquisitions this year.

20.   The acquisition is the third major insurance acquisition this year.