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Hour by hour, day to day, week after week, there's usually a fairly significant list of potential takeover candidates, LBOs, or word of a cash infusion from private equity firms. You look them over, and usually out pop some interesting tidbits. So here, dear reader, we go:CHAPARRAL STEEL COMPANY (NASDAQ: CHAP)
Down in Midlothian, Texas there's a big old "For Sale" sign posted right out there on Ward Rd. That's right. The folks at Chaparral Steel have put the word out: "Come on down." Don't know if that was Goldman Sachs' (GS) idea or not, but those Yankees are there in force looking over them "strategic alternatives." And they're good at it, too. It's probably going to be a sale, but nothing wrong with a partnership, merger recapitalization or taking over another fella's firm. You know? Or who knows, they could decide to sit pretty a while longer. Anyway, the second largest producer of structural steel beams in all North America sure likes to let its neighbors know what it's up to. Right friendly, don't you think? The stock price sure likes it, cause it's moving right up there with all that news.
MONSTER WORLDWIDE INC (NASDAQ: MNST)
The stock is s-o-a-r-i-n-g. Heard Google (GOOG) could buy them, Gannett (GCI), eBay (EBAY), or someone else. Or, they might just put themselves up for sale. No matter what, the rumors of Monster have been around, and now they're white hot. Some say the company will sell within the month, six months or nine. Pick a number; it doesn't really matter. It appears that this time, though, the Monster is going down. $50 a share, $60, $70? Let the bidding wars begin.
POGO PRODUCING COMPANY (NYSE: PPP)
Why is it that some companies in some industries make buckets of money while others scramble, stumble and come up short? Take Pogo. It's in the oil and gas business. It's located in Texas. The industry has seen nothing but high profits mucho gracias to the skyrocketing cost of energy. But Pogo hasn't had much to show. What's up? Everyone who's anyone in the world of money management thinks the oil, gas and real estate assets are worth a bundle. Now, Pogo has taken on Goldman Sachs (GS) to help them think what to do. Looks like a sale of the parts or the whole dang company. After going absolutely nowhere, the stock has lately been going wild. Where's a good wildcatter when you need one?
Five winners of a weak dollar
For a quick-read on the U.S. economy, check the price of gasoline
Closing Bell: What Friday 13th curse? (ANF, BA, GENZ, DIS, PALM, PLA)
