Five stats from the market and the stories behind them. This week: Berkshire's stake in a $28 billion deal, Avon's not-so-pretty 1% sales growth, and more.
Growing corporate cash balances and slowing organic-growth opportunities could lead to increased deal volume this year even if economic uncertainty throttles some activity, says Morningstar's Bridget Freas.
Although the two office-supplies companies could realize meaningful cost synergies, the combined firm would still face enormous competitive pressures, says Morningstar's Liang Feng.