In order to grow and expand, companies often acquire other businesses or agree to merge operations and form a new company. These mergers can help companies operate more efficiently and increase the value of the company to the benefit of shareholders. Larger companies often acquire smaller companies to gain access to new products or intellectual property.
The Federal Trade Commission reviews over 1,000 merger filings per year to ensure the merger will not significantly reduce competition or that the resulting company will not be a monopoly. Many of these filings go unnoticed, but each year, a number of deals are worth incredibly large sums of money and create headlines. There have been over 100 mergers with a total transaction value of more than $20 billion since 2000 — with some exceeding the $100 billion mark.Â
To determine the 100 largest mergers and acquisitions of the last 20 years, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the 2021 FactSet Mergerstat Review, published April 2021 by Business Valuation Resources, LLC. Mergers and acquisitions are ranked based on the total announced sale price. Data on the announcement year also came from Mergerstat.
The largest mergers have taken place in a number of different industries — tech, pharmaceutical, telecom, energy, entertainment, and more. Following the mergers and acquisitions, the resulting companies became some of the largest, best-known, and most financially successful businesses in the world. These are the 50 most valuable brands in the world.
Click here to see the 100 largest mergers of the last 20 years
Source: todamo / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
100. Private Group and Kinder Morgan, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $21.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2006
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Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
99. The Charles Schwab Corp. and TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
> Total transaction value: $21.7 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
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98. Johnson & Johnson and Synthes, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $21.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2011
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97. Facebook, Inc. and WhatsApp, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $21.9 billion
> Transaction announced: 2014
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Source: Courtesy of Enterprise Products Partners
96. Enterprise Products Partners LP and EPCO, Inc. (Enterprise GP Holdings LP)
> Total transaction value: $22.2 billion
> Transaction announced: 2010
95. American International Group, Inc. and American General Corp.
> Total transaction value: $22.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2001
94. Harris Corp. and L-3 Communications – Combat Propulsion Systems
> Total transaction value: $22.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2018
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93. SBC Communications, Inc. and AT&T Corp.
> Total transaction value: $22.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2005
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92. Kraft Foods, Inc. and Cadbury Plc.
> Total transaction value: $22.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2009
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91. Mars, Inc. and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.
> Total transaction value: $22.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2008
90. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. and Phelps Dodge Corp.
> Total transaction value: $22.9 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
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89. Liberty Global, Inc. and Virgin Media, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $23.1 billion
> Transaction announced: 2013
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88. Sanofi-Aventis SA and Genzyme Corp.
> Total transaction value: $23.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2010
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87. CVS Corp. and Caremark Rx, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $23.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2006
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86. Wachovia Corp. and Golden West Financial Corp.
> Total transaction value: $23.9 billion
> Transaction announced: 2006
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
85. CenturyLink, Inc. and Qwest Communications International, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $23.9 billion
> Transaction announced: 2010
Source: Mariakray / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
84. Microsoft Corp. and LinkedIn Corp.
> Total transaction value: $24.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
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Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
83. Phillips Petroleum Co. and Conoco, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $24.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2001
82. Becton, Dickinson & Co. and C. R. Bard, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $24.9 billion
> Transaction announced: 2017
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81. Transocean, Inc. and GlobalSantaFe Corp.
> Total transaction value: $25.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2007
80. Actavis Plc and Forest Laboratories, Inc
> Total transaction value: $25.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2014
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79. Blackstone Real Estate Advisors and Hilton Hotels Corp.
> Total transaction value: $25.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2007
78. Boston Scientific Corp. and Guidant Corp.
> Total transaction value: $25.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2005
77. Private Group and Clear Channel Communications, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $25.9 billion
> Transaction announced: 2006
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
76. salesforce.com, inc. and Slack Technologies, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $26.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2020
75. Eldorado Resorts, Inc. and Caesars Entertainment Corp.
> Total transaction value: $26.2 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
74. Private Group and Alltel Corp.
> Total transaction value: $26.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2007
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73. Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. LP and First Data Corp.
> Total transaction value: $27.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2007
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72. Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. and Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $27.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2018
71. Private Group and H.J. Heinz Co.
> Total transaction value: $27.2 billion
> Transaction announced: 2013
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70. Global Payments, Inc. and Total System Services LLC
> Total transaction value: $27.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
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Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
69. Brookfield Property Partners LP and GGP, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $28.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2017
68. Reynolds American, Inc. and Lorillard, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $28.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2014
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
67. Johnson & Johnson and Actelion Ltd.
> Total transaction value: $28.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
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66. Express Scripts, Inc. and Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $28.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2011
Source: Douglas Rial / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
65. CenturyLink, Inc. and Level 3 Communications, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $28.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
64. Abbott Laboratories and St. Jude Medical LLC
> Total transaction value: $28.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
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63. ACE Limited and The Chubb Corp.
> Total transaction value: $29.3 billion
> Transaction announced: 2015
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62. Duke Energy Corp. and Progress Energy, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $30.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2011
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61. United Technologies Corp. and Rockwell Collins, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $30.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2017
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60. BB&T Corp. and SunTrust Banks, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $30.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
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59. Marathon Petroleum Corp. and Andeavor LLC
> Total transaction value: $31.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2018
58. Private Group and HCA, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $31.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2006
57. Shire Plc and Baxalta, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $32.2 billion
> Transaction announced: 2015
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Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
56. International Business Machines Corp. and Red Hat, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $32.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2018
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55. Avago Technologies Ltd. and Broadcom Corp.
> Total transaction value: $33.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2015
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
54. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. and Xilinx, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $33.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2020
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Source: zodebala / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
53. Exxon Mobil Corp. and XTO Energy, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $34.1 billion
> Transaction announced: 2009
52. Tyco International Plc and Johnson Controls, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $34.3 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
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51. Bank of America Corp. and MBNA Corp.
> Total transaction value: $34.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2005
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
50. Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. and Precision Castparts Corp.
> Total transaction value: $34.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2015
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49. Blackstone Real Estate Advisors and Equity Office Properties Trust
> Total transaction value: $34.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2006
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
48. General Electric Co. and Baker Hughes, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $35.2 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
47. Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.
> Total transaction value: $36.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2009
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46. ConocoPhillips and Burlington Resources, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $36.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2005
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45. Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Sirius Holdings Merger Corp.
> Total transaction value: $36.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2011
Source: vzphotos / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
44. NVIDIA Corp. and SoftBank Group Corp. (Arm Ltd. United Kingdom)
> Total transaction value: $38.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2020
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Source: Roland Magnusson / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
43. AstraZeneca Plc and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $38.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2020
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
42. Enbridge, Inc. and Spectra Energy Corp.
> Total transaction value: $43.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
Source: Courtesy of S&P Global Inc.
41. S&P Global, Inc. and IHS Markit Ltd.
> Total transaction value: $43.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2020
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
40. Roche Holding AG and Genentech, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $44.3 billion
> Transaction announced: 2008
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39. Private Group and TXU Corp.
> Total transaction value: $44.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2007
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38. Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $46.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2004
Source: SweetBabeeJay / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
37. Comcast Corp. and Sky Plc
> Total transaction value: $46.1 billion
> Transaction announced: 2018
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Source: hapabapa / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
36. Fiserv, Inc. and First Data Corp.
> Total transaction value: $46.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
35. Cingular Wireless LLC and AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $47.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2004
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34. Bank of America Corp. and FleetBoston Financial Corp.
> Total transaction value: $48.1 billion
> Transaction announced: 2003
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33. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. and Worldpay, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $49.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
Source: TennesseePhotographer / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
32. Sunoco Logistics Partners LP and Energy Transfer Partners LP
> Total transaction value: $50.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
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31. Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP
> Total transaction value: $50.3 billion
> Transaction announced: 2014
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
30. Praxair, Inc. and Linde AG
> Total transaction value: $51.9 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
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29. Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
> Total transaction value: $52.3 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
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28. Merck & Co., Inc. and Schering-Plough Corp.
> Total transaction value: $53.7 billion
> Transaction announced: 2009
Source: SweetBabeeJay / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
27. Comcast Corp. and AT&T Corp. (AT&T Broadband & Internet Services)
> Total transaction value: $56.9 billion
> Transaction announced: 2001
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26. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank One Corp.
> Total transaction value: $57.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2004
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
25. InBev SA and Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc.
> Total transaction value: $59.7 billion
> Transaction announced: 2008
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
24. United Technologies Corp. and Raytheon Co.
> Total transaction value: $59.7 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
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23. Medtronic, Inc. and Covidien Plc
> Total transaction value: $60.0 billion
> Transaction announced: 2014
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
22. Procter & Gamble Co. and Gillette Co.
> Total transaction value: $60.2 billion
> Transaction announced: 2005
Source: knowlesgallery / iStock via Getty Images
21. Energy Transfer Equity LP and Energy Transfer Partners LP
> Total transaction value: $60.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2018
Source: tupungato / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Pfizer Inc. and Pharmacia Corp.
> Total transaction value: $60.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2002
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19. T-Mobile US, Inc. and SoftBank Group Corp. (Spring Corp.)
> Total transaction value: $63.9 billion
> Transaction announced: 2018
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18. Pfizer Inc. and Wyeth Corp.
> Total transaction value: $64.1 billion
> Transaction announced: 2009
Source: JFsPic / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
17. Bayer AG and Monsanto Co.
> Total transaction value: $64.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
Source: helen89 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
16. AT&T, Inc. and DIRECTV
> Total transaction value: $64.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2014
Source: hapabapa / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Private Group and EMC Corp.
> Total transaction value: $64.7 billion
> Transaction announced: 2015
Source: Funtay / iStock via Getty Images
14. British American Tobacco plc and Reynolds American, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $66.1 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
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Source: Scott Eisen / Getty Images for Patrick Dempsey Center
13. Cigna Holding Co. and Express Scripts Holding Co.
> Total transaction value: $67.7 billion
> Transaction announced: 2018
12. H.J. Heinz Co. and Kraft Foods Group, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $70.7 billion
> Transaction announced: 2015
Source: Michael Vi / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. Actavis Plc and Allergan, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $72.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2014
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. CVS Health Corp. and Aetna, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $73.5 billion
> Transaction announced: 2017
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9. The Dow Chemical Co. and E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
> Total transaction value: $78.6 billion
> Transaction announced: 2015
Source: Bastiaan Slabbers / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
8. The Walt Disney Co. and Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $82.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2017
7. Charter Communications, Inc. and Time Warner Cable, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $85.8 billion
> Transaction announced: 2015
Source: Michael Vi / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
6. AbbVie, Inc. and Allergan Plc
> Total transaction value: $87.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
5. Bristol Myers Squibb Co. and Celgene Corp.
> Total transaction value: $96.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2019
4. America Online, Inc. and Time Warner, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $100.3 billion
> Transaction announced: 2000
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Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
3. AT&T, Inc. and Time Warner, Inc.
> Total transaction value: $100.4 billion
> Transaction announced: 2016
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
2. AT&T, Inc. and BellSouth Corp.
> Total transaction value: $102.2 billion
> Transaction announced: 2006
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
1. Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group Plc (Cellco Partnership Inc.)
> Total transaction value: $128.7 billion
> Transaction announced: 2013
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