Merger Mania Analyzed

The Wall St. Journal surveys the scene of the latest boom in deal-making and describes how previously-existing obstacles are no longer there -- international barriers, antitrust regulation, board resistence, limits on debt financing.  It's the "wild West out there," says one investment banker.  What could make it stop?  Higher interest rates.  See WSJ, As Deal Barriers Fall, Takeover Bids Multiply.