 AstraZeneca PLC LSE:AZNs acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals NASDAQ:ALXN Inc was the highlight of a third-quarter that saw UK companies splash out 32.8bn on acquisitions. Figures from the Office for National Statistics ONS show that while the three months to the end of September saw a decline in merger acquisition MA deals to 136 a month from 164 in the preceding quarter, UK companies flexed their muscle overseas a bit more, with foreign businesses acquired valued at 32.8bn, well up from 8.2bn in the preceding quarter. 