- United Kingdom: The mergers and acquisitions operations in the United Kingdom reached a record high during the fourth quarter of 2000 with 121 transactions carried out for an overall amount of £34.4 billion. The previous record had been established during the first quarter 2000 with 138 mergers-acquisitions for £33 billion. Over the whole of the year 2000, 550 operations of this kind were concluded between British companies for an overall £106.4 billion. The British companies bought fewer foreign companies in 2000 than in 1999 (520 as opposed to 590 one year earlier) but for a larger total value (£179.3 billion as opposed to £111.2 billion). Over the whole year, the acquisitions of British companies by foreign companies represented £64 billion (with 215 transactions) as opposed to 60.9 billion in 1999 with 252 operations.