History's Biggest Merger: Du Pont-Conoco

Du Pont springs a surprise $7 billion offer for resource-rich Conoco

Du Pont springs a surprise $7 billion offer for resource-rich Conoco

While most Americans were enjoying fun and fireworks on the Fourth of July weekend, teams of executives from Conoco Inc. and Du Pont and Co. had forsaken friends and family to work almost round the clock on the biggest merger in U.S. corporate history. Du Pont, the largest U.S. producer of chemicals, had secretly offered to buy Conoco, the ninth biggest American oil company. After five hectic days of staff work, the deal seemed set. On Sunday night of the July Fourth weekend, Du...

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