The legal issues that relate to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) of businesses.

The Italian antitrust watchdog will investigate Alitalia SpA's acquisition of Volare, a low-cost airline in Italy. The agency is concerned that the deal "could constitute or strengthen a dominant position in some air transport markets." According to this Forbes article, the agency's investigation will focus on six domestic routes.

There've been more developments on the Dor Alon/Sonol merger, a deal that would combine two Israeli energy companies.  Dor Alon is proposing to sell 70 of its gas stations to Oil Refineries for $51 million. This deal could ameliorate the concerns that Israel's antitrust authority has about the Dor Alon/Sonol merger, which it has refused to approve.

Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc. and Armor Holdings, Inc. have completed their merger, much to the chagrin of Oshkosh Truck Corporation.  As reported here yesterday, Oshkosh filed several lawsuits in hope of stopping this deal. Better luck next time, eh?