We've noted that hostile deals are back in vogue, which may be making some people feel like they're back in the 1980s. What with Michael Milken back on the scene and all? The Financial Times notes data from Dealogic showing that hostile deals are at their highest level since 1999. This year, unsolicited bids have accounted for 20 percent of merger activity worldwide. Of course, many of these bids result in friendly negotiated deals. You get the feeling that strategic buyers sense an opportunity right now, with private equity players still on the sidelines. An unsolicited bid certainly would grab attention. Indeed, the failure rate for unsolicited bids stands at 31 percent, compared with an average failure rate of 42 percent since 1997, according to Dealogic.  

For more:
- here's the Financial Times article

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