1.   If the merger goes through, the only other major competitor to the combined company would be Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

2.   If the proposed merger of the two oil companies goes through, it would be bad for the economy.

3.   THE banking union Bifu has drawn up a hit list of North-East banks which would close if the proposed merger between Midland and Lloyds goes through.

4.   Analysts said if the merger goes through, Alcatel would gain access to more cash.

5.   And analysts said Wednesday that employee opposition is a major reason why the merger may not go through.

6.   And profitability, as Wells learned when it botched its takeover of First Interstate Corp. over the last few years, can be derailed when a merger goes awry.

7.   As mergers go, that is unusual.

8.   At least two-thirds of the creditors must approve the plan for the merger to go forward.

9.   Boeing, if its planned merger with McDonnell Douglas goes ahead, will for the first time have more than half its work force outside the state of Washington.

10.   A Japanese news service reported that Nomura threatened to withdraw any support for Daiwa if the merger goes through.