The US, with its latest megadeals, lead the volume in mergers and acquisitions, overshadowing the bleak future of Europe and Asia.

The reported interest of Nelson Peltz in Pepsico and Mondelez caused share prices of the two food giants to increase.

AXA stands to earn from purchase of its private equity subsidiary. In a statement, AXA is expecting to receive Eur 200 million or US$259. 94 million gain from the buyout of its private equity unit.

After a bitter battle, First Quantum wins shareholder support for Inmet. In a statement, First Quantum Minerals has said it has gathered enough shareholder support to be able to take over Inmet Mining.

BP, as promised, returns nearly US$8 billion to its investors through a share buy back program. British oil giant British Petroleum or BP Has announced that starting Friday, it would be conducting a buy back share program in consonance with its promise to reward shareholders after its sale of its interests in TNK-BP.

Barclays has decided to declare a 14.2 percent stake in Dutch cable company Ziggo following its failure to find enough buyers for the shares in a sale.

French insurer AXA is now finalizing the sale of the majority state in its private equity arm to a group of investors in a deal worth about 500 million euros.

Greece has reached a deal to purchase local units of Cypriot banks in a bid to save Greek banks from the crisis.

Ketchup manufacturer H.J. Heinz is seeking fund for its acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital as it expands its high-yield bond sale and decides to tighten price guidance.

Telecom group Vimpelcom is tapping UBS to supervise the sale of its Canadian unit Wind Mobile, which is being valued between $500 million and $1 billion.