Hybrids flourish as M&A tool as Annington follows Merck

Two German companies used hybrid bonds to finance acquisitions this week, underlining how corporate hybrid capital has come into its own in 2014 as a useful instrument in the corporate finance toolbox, especially for acquisitions. Merck's €1.5bn deal was its first hybrid, while Deutsche Annington's €1bn issue came just nine days after it had announced its acquisition, writes Richard Metcalf.