Behaviors of successful serial acquirers

What do Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT), Danaher Corp. (NYSE:DHR) and Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW) have in common? They all make Ted Rouse's list of serial acquirers that do smart deals during economic booms and busts. "There are obviously lots of other companies," says Rouse, co-head of global M&A for Bain & Co., "but those are examples of...