The Vodafone AirTouch-Mannesmann deal broke new ground in many areas, from the first hostile bid from a non-German company for a German operation to the largest takeover by market capitalisation. However, perhaps the most interesting new developments will only be apparent once the dust has settled on the dramatically reshaped German corporate landscape.

Vodafone and Mannesmann's deal will see, for the first time, an unprecedented level of harmony between FTSE International and Deutsche Boerse.