Mergers and Acquisitions

Royal Dutch Shell reached a deal to sell its refinery and gas stations in Australia to energy trader Vitol for $2.6 billion, as the oil giant continues to shed less profitable businesses.

Safeway announced it is engaged in conversations about a possible sale of the grocery chain, driving shares more than 4% higher.

Kay Jewelers will acquire smaller rival Zale for $21 per share in cash, sending shares of Zale popping 40% pre-market.

Devon Energy turned a profit in the 4Q and unveiled a $2.8 billion deal to sell its conventional assets in Canada to Canadian Natural Resources.

Shares of Tesla Motors popped 3% to all-time highs following reports that Elon Musk met with Apple’s M&A chief last spring.

Eminence Capital, a major shareholder in Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, said Tuesday the suit seller’s $825 million deal to acquire Eddie Bauer is a poor strategic fit for the company.

Anadarko agreed to sell its China unit to Brightoil Petroleum for $1.08 billion, as the oil and gas company reshapes its portfolio of oil-field assets.

Actavis said it will acquire Forest Laboratories in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $25 billion, creating a specialty pharmaceuticals heavyweight. 

Cable Combo: Comcast to buy Time Warner Cable in all-stock merger valued at $45.2 billion.

Microchip Technology agreed to buy Supertex for $394 million in cash as it looks to expand its footprint in the medical, industrial and lighting markets.

Alibaba offered to acquire AutoNavi, the Chinese digital mapping and navigation firm, for $1.45 billion.

E.W. Scripps agreed to buy two television stations in Detroit and Buffalo, N.Y., from Granite Broadcasting for $110 million in cash.

Illinois Tool Works announced a deal to sell its industrial packaging unit to Carlyle Group for $3.2 billion, as the company continues to revamp its portfolio.

Liberty Media and Discovery Communications are reportedly in talks to acquire a minority stake in global racing circuit Formula One.

Smith & Nephew inked a deal on Monday to buy medical device maker ArthroCare for $1.7 billion as it bets on sports medicine.

Cereal maker Post Holdings agreed to buy Nestle’s PowerBar and Musashi brands, continuing to widen its portfolio of nutrition products.

Men's Wearhouse sent a letter to Jos. A. Bank's board on Thursday, offering to consider a higher bid for the rival suit seller if given the opportunity to conduct limited due diligence.

Chrysler, which is nearing a full merger with Italian parent Fiat, saw its fourth-quarter profit more than quadruple amid a significant tax benefit.

Merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. energy sector was largely fueled last year by continued interest in shale plays, including Eagle Ford in Texas and the Marcellus Shale.

Martin Marietta agreed to buy Texas Industries, a rival provider of construction materials, for $2.06 billion in stock.