21.   But Mellon has little faith that Bank of New York will walk away from its bid without taking the difficult and painstaking step of mounting a hostile takeover attempt.

22.   But the discussions are the strongest sign yet that the takeover attempt could be coming to an end.

23.   But unlike a typical takeover attempt, Comcast cannot make a tender offer directly to shareholders and force a vote.

24.   Chartwell Re Corp., a reinsurance company, said its board of directors adopted a stock option plan to discourage hostile takeover attempts.

25.   Company officials said the bid, the first such takeover attempt in Russia, will fail.

26.   Crime experts say they doubt the incursion into Boston was invited, making it akin to a hostile takeover attempt.

27.   Des Moines, Iowa-based Younkers has been battling a hostile takeover attempt by Milwaukee-based Carson Pirie Scott since last October.

28.   Cutting jobs also helps First Interstate insulate itself from unwanted takeover attempts by competitors, analysts said.

29.   Dainong Group led declines, amid concern its recent rescue of Midopa Co., its retailing unit, from hostile takeover attempts may have drained its finances.

30.   Des Moines, Iowa-based Younkers had been battling a hostile takeover attempt by Carson Pirie Scott since last October.