Halliburton, Baker Hughes deal faces growing uncertainty

London

GROWING doubts that regulators may not approve Halliburton Co's US$35 billion takeover of fellow oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc this year has thrown up a high-reward opportunity for investors with an appetite for risk.

Typically, investors make money on mergers by picking up shares of the target company once the stock has steadied following their initial surge after the deal is announced. They sell when the shares touch the offer price just a few days before the deal closes, making money off the difference.