1.   The only affect on the merger plan disgruntled stockholders, if there are any, could have is apparently to demand cash.

2.   But it is worth at least as much consideration as the merger plan.

3.   Analysts and merger specialists say the proposal is already spurring banks to dust off potential merger plans.

4.   And the dissident Hewlett-Packard director, Walter B. Hewlett, and his advisers will present the case that the merger plan is a bad one.

5.   And rivals in several countries have not been dissuaded from promoting their own merger plans.

6.   And rail stocks continue to benefit from the merger plans of Burlington and Union Pacific Corp. and rumors of other combinations.

7.   Anthem said it would continue its merger plans with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut, which is already a mutual insurance company.

8.   Any potential merger plans with Cox Communications would certainly fizzle without the backing of Cox Enterprises, said East.

9.   Any major changes by the authority would require formal amendments in the merger plan, and the debt refinancing should greatly enhance the value of the merger.