Less than a week after Manpower rejected...

Less than a week after Manpower rejected Blue Arrow’s $75-a-share tender offer, the two firms disclosed that they are in negotiations for a possible friendly combination. However, both stressed that there was no assurance that an agreement would be reached. Separately, Bear Stearns disclosed that it purchased 818,000, or 5%, of Manpower’s outstanding stock, between June and August. Manpower stock closed on the New York Stock Exchange at $78.50 a share, up $2.50.