Execs at GE and Honeywell can't uncork the champagne yet - antitrust regulators and the American public alike are growing increasingly wary of mega mergers like the $45 billion
acquisition announced by the two companies last month (PRN, Oct. 30). According to a recent Gallup poll, 51% of Americans believe the government should do more to stop
such mergers vs. 40% who believe regulators are on track. Fifty-two percent of consumers think mergers are bad for them, with only 35% believing mergers like the GE-Honeywell
deal will bring good things to light. And a whopping 60% of Americans believe mergers are bad for workers at the companies involved.
(Gallup: http://www.gallup.com; GE: 203/373-2211; Honeywell: 973/455-2000)