THE ACQUISITION: Global information firm IHS Inc. agreed to buy automotive information provider R.L. Polk & Co. for $1.4 billion in a cash and stock deal. Polk is known best for the popular Carfax service, which compiles information on used cars and whether they’ve been in crashes.

THE REASON: IHS already has a substantial automotive business, including a widely followed forecast of North American production. Polk’s business would be complementary. According to IHS, Polk has revenue of over $400 million per year.