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.
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.
Doug Shadel of the AARP provides a detailed outline of common scams and tactics con men use, reasons investors fall for them, and tips so that you don't become a victim of financial fraud yourself.
The Securities and Exchange Commission may move ahead with "harmonization" of broker and investment-adviser rules before deciding whether to propse a rule that would raise investment-advice standards for brokers. That is creating concern in the adviser community.