According to preliminary statistics from THOMSON FINANCIAL, 2006 is turning out to be an even more exceptional year for global mergers and acquisitions, following on from 2005, which was already very good. In the first three months of the year, the amount spent on operations of this kind was up by 44% on the first quarter of 2005 and stands at USD 881.4 billion. Europe has been very active in this area, accounting for USD 386 billion of operations up to 23 March. Mergers of European...