"Consolidating mergers have been thoroughly discredited," he said, perhaps referring to First Boston's own ill-fated acquisition of Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette.

But analysts believe the decision was induced in part by the company's ill-fated acquisition of Alexander Howden in 1982.

The ill-fated acquisition of the Learning Company had earlier prompted the resignation of Mattel's chief executive, Jill E. Barad.

Following the ill-fated acquisition of Federated by Campeau Corp. of Canada, Filene's Basement was spun-off.

At the time, Peugeot had severe cash flow problems as a result of an ill-fated acquisition of Chrysler's European operations.

Cablevision's ill-fated acquisition of the Wiz electronics-goods chain was also a drain on the company.

In what was an ill-fated acquisition, GAF's purchase of Ruberoid brought with it a product line that contained considerable quantities of asbestos.

Switzerland's flagship carrier, Swissair, whose finances had been suffering from ill-fated acquisitions of other European airlines, went into a nosedive after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

AT&T is spinning off an ill-fated acquisition (the former NCR, which it has owned for only five years).

The auction of Bloomingdale's is being conducted by CS First Boston, which helped organize Campeau's ill-fated acquisition of the retailer several years ago.