The Bear Hug is back, thanks in large part to Morgan Stanley. The New York Times notes three instances of unsolicited bids. Microsoft's $45 billion offer for Yahoo, Electronic Arts' $2 billion bid for Take-Two Interactive and most recently, United Technologies' $3 billion offer for Diebold. The bidders in all cases are being advised by Morgan Stanley, which has put the company on top of the league tables this year. Unlike most unsolicited bids, Morgan-advised bids have fared well over the years. Since 2003, the Times reports, all Morgan-advised, unsolicited bids have ended in friendly deals. No proxy wars and no hostile bids. Will Microsoft keep that string alive?  

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- here's the New York Times item

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