To fund big deals, buyers are using stock to fuel the best quarter for global takeovers since 2007.

Oracle announced plans to acquire Micros Systems for $5.3 billion in a deal that would allow the technology giant to gain a foothold in the retail and hospitality sectors.

General Electric clinched its biggest acquisition ever, the $17 billion purchase of Alstom's energy assets, after the resolution of the French government's last condition for the deal.

Following Google's $500m acquisition of Skybox Imaging, Slate's Will Oremus looks into the scope of Google's future.

In a further move to cash in on an improving global economy, Graeme Hart is looking at offloading his European packaging business Sig Combibloc.

Graeme Hart is exploring a sale of drinks and food packaging maker Sig Combibloc that could value the business at around US$5 billion.

Goodman Fielder stock jumps after a $1.37 billion offer for the Australasian food ingredients maker.

One of the largest single Japanese investments in NZ is occurring with the sale of Carter Holt Harvey's pulp and paper and packaging businesses for $1.037 billion.

BlueScope Steel, Australia's largest steelmaker has gained antitrust approval to acquire Fletcher Building's Pacific Steel in a $120m deal.

Turners & Growers, has agreed to buy Hawke's Bay-based Apollo Apples for as much as $44.1 million as it looks to meet growing global demand.

Debitsuccess is showing no signs of slowing its growth strategy, announcing this week it had bought UK-based Harlands Group.

Hellaby Holdings expects to add $20m to annual revenue after buying New Zealand Trucks South Island and Dasko Marketing NZ.

More foreign buyers are likely to make bids for New Zealand assets this year with China at the forefront, according to a report by Chapman Tripp.

Many large players pitched for the Kiwi waste business, but Beijing Capital rolled in with a $950 million cheque, and the deal was done, writes Dita De Boni.

One of New Zealand's biggest unions yesterday voiced redundancy fears for Pacific Steel Group workers.

BlueScope Steel, Australia's largest steelmaker and owner of the New Zealand Steel mill, has agreed to buy assets of Fletcher

American Airlines emerged from bankruptcy protection and US Airways culminated its long pursuit of a partner as the two completed their merger deal today.

Telecom has sold its Australian AAPT unit for A$450m to ASX-listed internet service provider, TPG Telecom, beating initial expectations of what the unit would go for.

The number of NZ firms intending to make acquisitions has jumped in the past six months, according to a report by EY.

Tokyo-listed liquor giant Asahi has written more than $500m off the carrying value of NZ's Independent Liquor, the brewing company it purchased for $1.5b in 2011.