Proctor & Gamble (PG) competes with Unilever Group (UN), Revlon (REV) and L'Oreal (LRLCY) in the male grooming market. P&G's share in the global grooming market has risen steadily since its acquisition of Gillette in 2005 to a whopping $57 billion in 2005. We expect this positive trend to continue, driven by growth in emerging markets like India and China, expansion of product lines, and acquisition of newer brands.
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FeedPositive Outlook for P&G's Share of Grooming Market
Continue reading Positive Outlook for P&G's Share of Grooming Market
Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DIS, CSCO, K, MOT, OMX, RTP ...
- Morgan Keegan upgraded Motorola (NYSE: MOT) to Outperform from Market Perform due to the increased visibility of Android-based launches, as well as the stock's valuation.
- OfficeMax (NYSE: OMX) was upgraded to Buy from Hold by Citigroup, which cited the company's stabilizing sales trend, accelerating share gains, and valuation.
- Kaufman Bros. upgraded iRobot (NASDAQ: IRBT) to Buy from Hold on valuation.
- Cancaccord upgraded Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP) to Buy from Hold citing the turnaround in the aluminum business and its exposure to copper.
- Wells Fargo upgraded Smith & Nephew (NYSE: SNN) to Market Perform from Underperform.
- BT Group (NYSE: BT) was upgraded to Neutral from Reduce by Nomura.
- Societe Generale raised L'Oreal (OTC: LRLCY) to Buy from Sell.
- Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) was upgraded to Buy from Hold by Sandler O'Neill.
Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DIS, CSCO, K, MOT, OMX, RTP ...
Coca-Cola (KO), L'Oreal (LRLCY) team up to produce beauty drink
I continue to be impressed with the way Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) addresses the different tastes of the world's various cultures. One example is a new product from their cooperative venture with Nestlé, Beverage Partners Worldwide (BPW). The partners have teamed up with L'Oréal (OTC: LRLCY) to create a new beauty beverage, Lumaé, due to hit the market in 2008. While details are sketchy, the product is supposed to contain skin-care ingredients and appeal to the active yet image-conscious women over 25. According to Brandweek, the product will bypass the usual Coke distribution network in favor of Saks Fifth Avenue.This is not Coke's first foray into beauty drinks. In Japan, they sell "The Wellness," a beauty drink in flavors such as Almond Yogurt. Other health-related drinks available overseas include the Tea with dietary fiber drink Love Body Tea (Japan), Fanta Lactic, a fermented milk and grape yogurt drink available in Hong Kong, and Maaza, a soda with added calcium for the Indian market.
With the diversity of their products worldwide, whenever public tastes evolve in any particular country, chances are Coke already has a tried and true product somewhere in their product line ready to bottle and ship.
Newspaper wrap-up 3-19-07: M&A in focus
MAJOR PAPERS:- According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), citing people familiar with the matter, Community Health Systems Inc (NYSE: CYH) is near a deal to purchase Triad Hospitals (NYSE: TRI), which would break up an existing $4.5B private-equity buyout plan.
- The Wall Street Journal's "Heard on the Street" column reported that rumors are swirling that Infineon Technologies ADS (NYSE: IFX) will be chosen to supply the main chip to drive the upcoming iPhone from Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL).
- The Business Standard reported that Reliance Industries is reportedly in advanced discussions with Nova Chemicals Corporation (NYSE: NCX), the plastics and petrochemicals firm, to form a joint venture.
- According to the U.K. Times, Barclays plc ADS (NYSE: BCS) will announce today its formal interest in buying Netherlands bank ABN Amro Holdings (NYSE: ABN) for a price of up to a little less than EUR60B, or EUR31.3 per share, according to reports.
- Dow Jones & Company (NYSE: DJ) is trying to buy the Financial News for GBP25M, the U.K. Times reported.
- The Sunday Telegraph reported that Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is planning a 'beauty tea' in conjunction with L'Oreal ADR (OTC: LRLCY), called Lumae.
- According to Google Inc's (NASDAQ: GOOG) official blog, it has acquired Adscape media. Terms were not disclosed.
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