- Europe: The European Union's decision to block the merger between GENERAL ELECTRIC and HONEYWELL (see EUROPE of 4 July, p.4), has seriously damaged Europe's image as a privileged area for US investors. Such is the conclusion of a recent inquiry conducted by the New York consultancy company BROADGATE, specialised in investment advisory services, with about one hundred professionals in investment. Eight of the American institutional investors condemn the European refusal to give its go-ahead to the largest merger in the industry's history. Some 85% of specialists taking part in the inquiry consider that the decision made Europe less attractive as an investment zone. More than 57% predict a fall in investment on both sides of the Atlantic.