Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are ways for companies to join forces. Acquisitions happen when one company buys another, either as a stock sale (purchasing the whole business) or an asset sale (buying specific parts). Mergers are when two similar-sized companies come together to form a new entity. People often use "mergers" and "acquisitions" interchangeably, but they're different. Mergers might lead to the new company using one of the old names or brands, making it look like a takeover.