This week's rumor round-up: a bidder found for Wendy's?

Posted May 11th 2007 6:05PM by Eric Buscemi
Filed under: Rumors, Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), Wendy's Intl (WEN)

Another week, another run through the rumor mill. And, as usual, it all surrounds possible takeovers/buyouts.

WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL INC (NYSE: WEN)

Up first is Wendy's, because since the company is exploring strategic alternatives, and shareholder Highfields Capital Management is pushing for a sale, the idea of a suitor isn't that farfetched. The rumor is that this mystery suitor has bid for the company. Will this Biggie-size Wendy's stock price? Only time will tell.

ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY (NYSE: ADM)

And in the earlier stages of the M&A cycle, the rumor with Archer Daniels Midland is that the company has hired a strategic adviser. This wouldn't be that mind-blowing, considering it follows an EPS miss when the company reported on May 1, and a downgrade by ThinkEquity on May 2 on margin weakness.

BEA SYSTEMS INC (NASDAQ: BEAS)

File this under "the boy that cried wolf." BEA Systems has long been the subject of takeover talk, and it has continued this week. This despite firms such as Bernstein saying a takeover is unlikely as the company's valuation is too high.

Tags: ADM, Archer Daniels, Bea Systems, BEAS, Bernstein, buyout, Highfields Capital Management, HighfieldsCapitalManagement, rumor, speculation, strategic alternative, StrategicAlternative, takeover, ThinkEquity, WEN, Wendy's