India to Missouri Deals Drive Busy $47 Billion Day of Takeovers

Companies from India to Missouri made yesterday one of the busiest for takeovers this year, announcing $47 billion of acquisitions and extending a jump that’s brought dealmaking to its highest amount since before the global financial crisis.

Topping the list were cement makers Holcim Ltd. of Switzerland and Lafarge SA of France, which agreed to merge in a $23 billion stock swap that is Europe’s largest deal this year. Along with buyers including India’s Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Missouri-based utility Laclede Group, they brought the value of deals announced this year to $725.5 billion -- the most for this period since 2007.