Top M&A Deals Of 2010

The Wall Street Journal has published a list of what it considers to be the five most important M&A deals of 2010. Hewlett-Packard HPQ and 3Par are the first on the list. Hewlett-Packard acquired 3Par for $2.1 billion after battling with Dell DELL to take ownership of the prized data storage company. Next up is Cnooc CEO, which acquired Bridas Energy Holdings for $3.1 billion and a stake in Pan American Energy for $7.06 billion. Sinopec SNP is also listed for two acquisitions: Occidental Petroleum's OXY Argentina unit for $2.45 billion, and a stake in Repsol's REP Brazilian offshore-oil unit for $7.1 billion. Third, the Wall Street Journal lists the AIA Group, which sold two-thirds of the company, raising $20.5 billion. Prudential PLC PUK had tried to purchase the firm in a $35.5 billion takeover, but American International Group AIG – which AIA Group was once a part of – turned down the offer. Of course, the Wall Street Journal also made room for other deals that didn't go through, such as the BHP Billiton BHP and Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan POT merger. Valued at around $40 billion, BHP Billiton attempted a hostile takeover of Potash Corp. BHP Billiton backed off after the takeover was opposed by the Government of Saskatchewan, most notably by Premier Brad Wall. Finally, General Motors' GM IPO makes the list for its remarkable turnaround.