US STOCKS-Indexes rally on M&A frenzy, factory growth

(Reuters) - Caterpillar Inc. and United Technologies Corp.
led the Dow industrials higher after a surprising
rise in the Institute for Supply Management's factory index to
its highest level in more than a year.




Takeover activity showed few signs of abating despite
concerns about tightening credit. Canada's largest telephone
company, BCE Inc. , agreed to a US$32.6 billion
buyout. For details, see [ID:nN02315411].


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UTC to buy Rentokil security unit for $1.2 bln

(Reuters) - United Technologies Corp. , which makes products ranging from Pratt & Whitney jet engines to Otis elevators, said the deal would boost UTC Fire & Security protection services.

"This acquisition builds UTC's scale and capability in the electronic security business which we regard as attractive in national markets where we have significant presence," UTC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer George David said.


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UPDATE 3-UTC to buy Rentokil security unit for $1.2 bln

(Reuters) - LONDON, March 30 - U.S. conglomerate United Technologies Corp. is to buy the electronic security division of British services group Rentokil Initial for 595 million pounds , the two firms said.

UTC, based in Hartford, Connecticut, also said on Friday it planned to sell its low-technology manned guarding business in Australia and the UK in a move to reposition itself towards the high-tech and higher margin areas of guarding.


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