Federal regulators are investigating whether two of the firm’s former top executives secretly tried to make the company a takeover target and the unusual trading in its stock that may have been linked to such maneuvers, according to a newspaper report Friday. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s inquiry is in the preliminary stages, The New York Times said.

Coca-Cola Co.

The world’s largest beverage maker is betting big that Glaceau will help it expand its water and energy drink offerings. Coca-Cola Co. (KO) said it would buy the privately held maker of Vitaminwater for $4.1 billion in cash. And Coca-Cola executives said the pricetag, which is nearly twice what Glaceau’s estimated value was less than a year ago and represents Coke’s largest acquisition ever, is worth it.