MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal reported that Apollo Management is considering a private sale of 10% of the firm that would raise $1.5B.
• Carl Icahn has offered WCI Communities Inc (NYSE: WCI) $22 a share, 55 cents higher than its closing price yesterday, and equal to $920M, reported the Wall Street Journal.

• The U.K. Times reported that Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE: GS) is set to advise Royal Bank of Scotland on a potential counter-bid of GBP40B or more for ABN Amro Holdings (NYSE: ABN). Other bidders for ABN Amro include Barclays plc ADS (NYSE: BCS), which is currently in exclusive talks with ABN.

• The New York Post has learned that the American Stock Exchange, which is looking at "strategic options," has at least one "high-profile suitor" exploring the possibility of an investment, Susquehanna Investment Group.
• Investor's Business Daily's "The New America" column mentioned U.S. Global Investors Inc (NASDAQ: GROW) positively.

Newspaper wrap-up 4-5-07: Carl Icahn makes offer for WCI originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal reported on how the prospect of Cadbury Schweppes (NYSE: CSG) and the Hershey Co. (NYSE: HSY) merging would be bad news for the already struggling WM. Wrigley Jr. Co (NYSE: WWY).
• The Wall Street Journal's "Ahead of the Tape" column wrote that Best Buy Co., Inc.'s (NYSE: BBY) Q1 earnings report, due out today, will help the Street deduce whether Circuit City Stores Inc. (NYSE: CC) cost cutting measures announced last week were company issues, or if it was a sign of a larger industry problem.
• The Financial Times reported that U.S. authorities are planning to interview Total (NYSE: TOT) CEO Christophe de Margerie as part of an inquiry into whether his company violated U.S. bribery laws.

• According to the U.K. Times, citing research by Prudential Equity Group and AXA Framlington, AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) could lose 38% of its revenue because key drug patents, including Arimi-dex, Seroquel and Symbicort, will expire in the next five years.
• Investor's Business Daily's "The New America" column mentioned Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) positively. Elbit is a small, flexible company that works with industry giants such as the Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA).

Newspaper wrap-up 4-4-07: AstraZeneca may lose 38% of its revenue in next 5 years originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter, that Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) has begun a test run of serving TV commercials to cable subscribers in Concord, California. The move, said the Journal, could change the way TV ads are sold and delivered.
  
• According to the Financial Times (subscription required), Citigroup Inc (NYSE: C) is expected to announce an agreement with Nikko that will give them "effective control" over the company's core business even if they fail to win shareholder support.

• The Telegraph reported that ABN Amro Holdings (NYSE: ABN) is expected to "throw a bone" at activist hedge funds that are trying to get the company to break-up or sell itself, by promising a special dividend and minor disposals next month.
• Globes reported that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NASDAQ: TEVA) has obtained two FDA marketing approvals for its Abbreviated New Drug Application.
• Investor's Business Daily's "The New America" column mentioned Cynosure Inc (NASDAQ: CYNO), which makes anti-aging products, positively, saying the company appears to be well positioned as the "skin rejuvenation" market takes off.

Newspaper wrap-up 3-12-07: Google testing television advertising originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Financial Times reported that Warren Buffett has criticized hedge funds, calling their fee arrangements "grotesque."
• In other news relating to Warren Buffett, the New York Times wrote that Buffett said in his annual Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) shareholder letter that he is looking for a candidate to become chief investment officer when he steps down.

• BusinessWeek's "Inside Wall Street" section focused on Tyco International Ltd (NYSE: TYC), Altair Nanotechnologies Inc (NASDAQ: ALTI) and Supergen Inc (NASDAQ: SUPG).
• About Tyco, the column said the planned de-conglomeration of the company has not produced a lot of excitement, but some pros are buying shares, as they believe Tyco splitting in three will cause a jump in the stock.
• About Altair, the column said Alcoa (AA) and Eli Lilly (LLY) have taken an interest in Altair's rapid-charge, high-power NanoSafe battery packs, which could mean a rise in 2007 orders creating a profit for the company.
• About Supergen, the column said that biotech's like Supergen are gaining traction, noting that Supergen inked a pact with Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) to market its Food & Drug Administration-approved drug Dacogen.
• Investor's Business Daily's "New America" column focused on Hurco Companies Inc (NASDAQ: HURC), a machine tool maker that has ad success by downsizing in the U.S. and shifting production to Taiwan.

Newspaper wrap-up 3-2-07: Warren Buffett seeking successor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported that Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) has agreed to acquire Hyperion Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ: HYSL) for $52 per share.
• The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that Blockbuster Inc (NYSE: BBI) is in advanced talks to acquire Movielink LLC, an online movie-downloading company owned by major Hollywood studios.
• Also reported in the Wall Street Journal, McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is moving closer to adding lattes and cappuccinos to its menu, a move that would be a direct shot at Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX).
• According to the Financial Times (subscription required), DirecTV Group Inc (NYSE: DTV) is considering ways to bundle high speed internet access to its 15 million satellite television customers.
• The Financial Times reported that private equity is "hovering" over Home Depot Inc's (NYSE: HD) wholesale supply business, which could fetch $11B in a sale.

• The Detroit News reported that Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) won a court order forcing diesel engine supplier Navistar to resume shipments to Ford's Louisville plant.
• Investor's Business Daily's "New America" column highlighted bank and broker SWS Group (NYSE: SWS).

Newspaper wrap-up 3-1-07: Blockbuster in talks to acquire Movielink originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported that the Bush administration has agreed to join in regional talks with Iran and Syria over Iraq, which are being launched by the Iraqi government next month.
• Also in the Wall Street Journal, billionaire investor Carl Icahn is pushing Blockbuster Inc's (NYSE: BBI) board to withhold some of CEO John Antioco's $7.6 million bonus.
• In what could be good news for Merck & Co Inc's (NYSE: MRK) Gardasil vaccine, a study suggested the prevalence of HPV, which can cause cervical cancer, is greater than previous estimates had suggested, reported the Wall Street Journal.
• According to the Financial Times (subscription required), Russia has increased the pressure on a key asset held by TNK-BP, BP p.l.c. ADS's (NYSE: BP) Russia venture, as BP CEO Lord Browne arrived in Moscow for talks of a possible transfer of part of a key asset to the state.

• The Economic Times of India reported that confectionery-maker Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is acquiring a 51% stake in the food and beverage business of the Godrej group for about $54 million.
• Investor's Business Daily's "New America" column highlighted Radvision Ltd (NASDAQ: RVSN).

Newspaper wrap-up 2-28-07: HPV more prevalent than previously thought originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Major Papers:

• According to the Wall Street Journal, General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) is considering acquiring DaimlerChrysler's (NYSE: DCX) Chrysler Group, but the company would face massive challenges if it were to take over its longtime rival. People familiar with the matter say GM has not ruled out the idea, however.
• Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) launched a new bundle of services targeted at corporations, but CEO Eric Schmidt said the company is not looking to go "head to head" with Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), the Wall Street Journal reported.
• Barron's Online's "Inside Scoop" column wrote that Encore Acquisition Co. (NYSE: EAC) chairman Jon Brumley bought 40,000 shares of the company for $988,000. "Obviously," Brumley said, "we think the stock is going to move higher."
• The Financial Times reported that Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) has bought out its local partner in India, JM, for $445M to up its presence in Asia.
• The Financial Times also reported that EMI Group (OTC: EMIPY) is also exploring alternatives to Warner Music Group Corp.'s (NYSE: WMG) $6B takeover bid for the company. According to people familiar with the matter, no offers appear imminent.

• Investor's Business Daily's "New America" column focused on online business Bankrate Inc. (NASDAQ: RATE). The company is established, credible, its brand name is known, it has no debt and it has over $100M on its balance sheet.

Newspaper wrap-up 2-22-07: GM considering acquisition of Chrysler Group originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• In today's Wall Street Journal (subscription required):
• Top Banker Woody Young has left Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc (NYSE: LEH), according to people familiar with the matter.
• Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) may have benefited from piracy, according to media companies.
• Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) is leaning away from accepting offers from outside bidders and may restructure on its own.
• According to Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali Naimi, the world oil market is in "much, much better health and balance" now and, if trends hold, there will be no need for further production cuts or increases in supply when members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meet next month.
• The Financial Times (subscription required) reported that MasterCard Inc (NYSE: MA) is expected to announce a pilot program with the GSM Association that will allow migrant workers to use cellphones for international money transfers.
• The Deutschland edition of the Financial Times reported that Private Equity is looking at Infineon Technologies ADS (NYSE: IFX).

• According to the U.K. Times, Sanofi-Aventis ADS (NYSE: SNY) has called off talks with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) over a potential deal.
• The Washington Post reported that thousands of Army Humvees are lacking the Frag Kit 15 armor upgrade, which is not anticipated to be completed until this summer.
• Investor's Business Daily's "The New America" column highlighted Web conferencing leader WebEx Communications Inc (NASDAQ: WEBX).

Newspaper wrap-up 2-12-07: Tribune may not sell itself originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Apple Inc's (NASDAQ: AAPL) Steve Jobs helped to negotiate a Pixar employment pact with a film director that included an options grant with a "well-timed date". Also featured in the Journal:
  
• EMI Group plc (OTC: EMIPY) has been holding talks with online retailers over the possibility of selling its entire digital music catalog in an unprotected MP3 format.
• Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE: GS) is expected to raise as much as $19B for its newest private-equity fund.
  
• The Financial Times (subscription required) reported that Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) broadened corruption inquiries and has identified individual incidents of apparent bribery.

• According to the Detroit News, DaimlerChrysler AG (NYSE: DCX) is expected to eliminate about 1,000 salaried jobs in Michigan.
  
• Asian IT website DigiTimes.com reported that Samsung introduced the Ultra Smart F700 yesterday. The phone is being referred to as a possible "iPhone Killer."
• In Investor's Business Daily, ViaSat Inc (NASDAQ: VSAT) was mentioned positively in the "New America" column.

Newspaper wrap-up 2-9-07: Samsung to challenge Apple iPhone originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) had some interesting M&A speculation:
• Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) and Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE: GS) may team up to acquire Dominion Resources (NYSE: D).
• According to the Journal's MarketBeat blog, Williams-Sonoma Inc (NYSE: WSM) denied rumors that it hired Goldman Sachs to "explore strategic alternatives."
• Macau has seen its revenue jump 22% in 2006 and could now be in the position to become the world's biggest casino market, topping the Las Vegas Strip.
• The Financial Times (subscription required) reported that News Corp (NYSE: NWS) has entered into talks to acquire Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB).

• A New York Post exclusive wrote that Vertrue Inc (NASDAQ: VTRU) has put itself up for sale and could fetch a bid of about $43 per share.
• Investor's Business Daily's "New America" column highlighted real estate company CB Richard Ellis Group Inc (NYSE: CBG), saying the company has been dominating most major markets in the world, before and after its acquisition of rival Trammell Crow for $2.2B last month.

Newspaper wrap-up 1-24-07: News Corp. in talks for Tribune originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.