Recent deals
Small, innovative companies keep getting gobbled up.
Defense and IT
Defense contractor Northrop Grumman, the #1 shipbuilder in the world and the #3 defense contractor in the US, recently announced it would buy Integic Corp., a company specializing in document management software. Northrop-Grumman is already the largest supplier of IT services to the US federal government, and the acquisition extends its reach.
Also last month, defense competitor Lockheed Martin acquired Sytex Corporation, another US IT company. Sytex sells IT and tech support services to the US military and other government agencies. Lockheed is the #4 IT supplier to the US government.
More such deals are anticipated, as IT expenditures in defense and homeland security grow.
Autodesk, most well known for its computer-aided design (CAD) software, bought German company Compass GmbH. A developer of data management systems, used widely in the European manufacturing industry. This extends Autodesk's role as the leading provider in manufacturing and building software.
Media and Internet properties
Meanwhile, the New York Times Corporation bought About.com, an Internet information reference site with revenues in online advertising. He purchase was from magazine company Primedia and was for over $400 million, as Primedia unloads assets after a buyout. Recognizable site son the Web are still pretty rare, and as advertising increases, the Times sought to control a relatively popular venue and to get into the charge-per-click mode of Google.
IAC, Barry Diller's Internet and media company, just bought yet another property, Cornerstone. Cornerstone is a collection of online and print catalogues for apparel and home products, including Frontgate, Ballard Designs, Garnet Hill, Smith and Noble, The Territory Ahead and TravelSmith. The deal was for $720 million.
McGraw-Hill, a company that publishes textbooks, technical guides, and BusinessWeek magazine, bough out J.D. Power, the marketing consulting firm that specializes in rating customer satisfaction in eth automotive, finance, telecommunications, homebuilding, and other areas. No price was disclosed.
7:43:00 PM 
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