Obin suggests one possibility: A combination of General Electric and Honeywell International . “We have argued in the past (particularly after UTX/Rockwell deal) that the combination of GE/HON would improve the standing of both companies vis-à-vis Boeing (BA) and Airbus (EADSY), both of which are more focused on the aftermarket, as well as larger UTX Aerospace,” Obin writes.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/united-technologies-merger-raytheon-general-electric-51560188754
GE is desperate for someone to step up and give them a lot of cash. Maybe the Financial wizards running Hon think GE at 10/share is a bargain. It was 69/share in 2000.
Honeywell is shrinking, maybe they are trying to become a takeover target.
http://content.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,166732,00.html
Here's a 2001 Time Magazine article that explains why the European Commission stopped the GE-HON merger. Eighteen years later with different people's egos running the show it could be possible now.
Here's an excellent description of the GE-Honeywell merger failure:
http://content.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,166732,00.html
Here's a video of the very moment that the GE-Honeywell merger failed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZU-owLWV3Q
-sat: Given the UTX / Raytheon merger this is legitimate speculation. Honeywell has long had a history of GE spawned CEO's ... and miserable corporate culture ... and they tried to be acquired by GE some years ago. Some Euro dude shot it down back then. Wonder if it could fly this time if tried again. Agree that both GE and HON s--- swamp water but you never know what these big shot titans of industry and Wall Street might dream up if they can pocket a million here or there.
The OP's post simply refers to a Barrons op/ed magazine article that cites an offhand "what if" comment from a Merrill analyst (Obin). There is nothing substantial behind it that it's even being considered.
Two companies, both with bad reputations, merging to "create a bigger better something".
You gotta wonder how many customers of each would be thrilled with that prospect.
How could they recruit new talent for a s-hole like that? Oh, yea, they just go to Indier. That always solves everything.
With Dave Cote as CEO, he will expect to be the biggliest-paid beach-whale in the ocean.
It would be a complete and unadulterated disaster!
Many of the stupid metics we suffer from came from GE (e.g. 10-80-10).
Why would anyone want to merge with a company that went from a top performer in the 90s to being knocked off the Dow?
Yes two loser companies joining forces equal loser. Tried the GE route before, what's changed or are they willing to sell off some engine designs? GE won that deal big time and learned and used Honeyhell's design technology.
Oh well, anything is better than what it is today.