morning update .... 04 02 2007

More M&A news Globally, the value of announced buyout surged 40% to $199 billion in the first quarterly. KKR is close to a deal to buy First Data Corp, for about $20 bil. ML buyout fund and Pacific Equity Partners agree to buy Veda Advantage, the largest credit checking company in Australia and New Zealand, for $659 million. Veda has monoploy power and provides government and banks for consumer credit checking... AT&T is expanding aggresively on international front. With Mexcina affiliate America Moviil SA, it tried t otake a combined owenrship of 66.6% stake in the holding company that control Telecom Italia SpA. It has made investments in Vienam and South Africa, winning license to provide both national and international long distance calling in India. It is speculated to acquire a satellite company to compete against cable rivals.