51.   Their joint research led to merger discussions.

52.   There in an airport meeting room, Siart and Hazen had their first face-to-face merger discussion in months.

53.   Those talks ultimately led to merger discussions.

54.   TWA AND AIRTRAN HOLDING TALKS Shares of Trans World Airlines and AirTran Holdings rose on reports that they were holding merger discussions.

55.   Wilzig declined to say if his company was in any merger discussions.

56.   Yet, like any merger discussion, this one has its share of drama.

57.   Qwest, which agreed to acquire U S West last July, reportedly has been holding merger discussions with Deutsche Telekom AG.

58.   As one of the anchor companies identified by Bank Negara, AMFB has started merger discussions with Abrar Finance Bhd, Advance Finance Bhd and Sime Finance Bhd.

59.   Bank of America and NationsBank rose sharply, following after reports they were in merger discussions.

60.   But the spokeswoman refused to confirm whether talks with the German company had reached the point of actual merger discussions.