Ball Announces Acquisition: Ball Corp. has acquired...

Ball Announces Acquisition: Ball Corp. has acquired 33 metal-packaging plants in Europe from Continental Can Co., giving the Muncie, Ind.-based business a launching pad for the rapidly expanding European market, company officials said. Continental will receive $625 million in cash and $400 million in stock, giving it a 29% stake in Ball. Ball also said it would pay $65 million in cash to purchase the remaining 50% in Ball-InCon Glass Packaging Corp. from its partner, Holland-American Investment Corp.