Accounting Merger Talks Halted: Arthur Andersen &...

Accounting Merger Talks Halted: Arthur Andersen & Co. and Price Waterhouse & Co. said they have ended merger talks that would have created the world’s biggest accounting and consulting company. The discussions were discontinued because differences could not be resolved within a realistic period, the companies said in a joint statement. Other factors, including regulatory concerns, also helped to derail the talks. The Justice Department asked Price Waterhouse for information, including client lists, shortly after the merger talks were announced July 6, an official said. He noted that the Department requested the same data from Arthur Andersen.