But some officials said the changes did not address the key question: should states be involved in regulating takeover activity?

Once again, takeover activity provided much of the impetus for the stock market.

"The takeover activity seems to have spread more to some of the secondary stocks."

But manufacturing productivity has been growing and business investment is up, despite increasing takeover activity.

He then added his voice to those who question what the clients are getting out of the takeover activity.

Never before has takeover activity been so high among small companies, he said.

In the early 1980s the publicly listed company was the subject of takeover activity.

Their gains were attributable in large part to takeover activity.

Either party could choose to stay off the board, giving itself more flexibility around stake building or takeover activity.

This is evident especially in the food and drinks industries, both of which have seen takeover activity during the 1980s.