Australian energy majors Woodside and Santos have ceased discussions on an A$85.7bn ($55.9bn) merger, citing a lack of identified combination benefits and maintaining a disciplined approach to mergers and acquisitions.

SP Apparels Ltd (SPAL) acquires Young Brand Apparel Private Limited (YBAPL) for Rs 223 crore, enhancing product offerings and manufacturing capacity, targeting expansion in global markets.

In 2023, the biopharma industry witnessed a resurgence in mergers and acquisitions, with the top 10 deals totaling $115.8 billion, led by Pfizer's $43 billion merger with Seagen, indicating renewed confidence despite the absence of monumental transactions like Bristol Myers Squibb's acquisition of Celgene or AbbVie's takeover of Allergan, with notable focus on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and neuroscience, including BMS' $14 billion bid for Karuna Therapeutics and AbbVie's $8.7 billion takeover of Cerevel Therapeutics.

The Biden administration is pressuring supermarket retailers to lower household essential prices amid concerns of corporations' increased profit margins, exemplified by the scrutiny of Kroger's planned acquisition of Albertsons, which faces resistance from the FTC, state attorneys general, Congress, and the Teamsters union.