BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Chuck Adds optionsXpress to Schwab's Portfolio]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/24/chuck-adds-optionsxpress-to-schwab-s-portfolio/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/24/chuck-adds-optionsxpress-to-schwab-s-portfolio/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/24/chuck-adds-optionsxpress-to-schwab-s-portfolio/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Charles Schwab (SCHW) has announced its decision to acquire optionsXpress (OXPS) in a friendly all-stock deal. This deal will help Schwab compete with other firms like E-Trade (ETFC), Ameritrade (AMTD), and Bank of America (BAC), which all have large online brokerage services and are vying to provide investors with the best tools and services.

The deal, which is expected to close by the third quarter of 2011, will cost Schwab $1 billion, and the company will issue 60 million new shares to swap each outstanding share of optionsXpress with 1.02 of its own shares. Our $19.74 price estimate for Charles Schwab is at a premium of almost 12% to its current market value.

Continue reading Chuck Adds optionsXpress to Schwab's Portfolio

Chuck Adds optionsXpress to Schwab's Portfolio originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmeritradeBank of AmericaBankOfAmericacharles schwabchuck schwabChuckSchwabdealsE-Tradefeaturedinthenewsmergermergers and acquisitionsoptions tradingoptionsXpressThu, 24 Mar 2011 09:10:00 EST<![CDATA[NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Boerse Merger Spells Promising Margin Outlook]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/22/nyse-euronext-and-deutsche-boerse-merger/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/22/nyse-euronext-and-deutsche-boerse-merger/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/22/nyse-euronext-and-deutsche-boerse-merger/#commentsFiled under:

NYSE Euronext (NYX) and Deutsche Boerse AG of Germany recently announced a merger that will create the world's largest financial exchange. NYSE is the world's largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalization of its listed companies and Deutsche Boerse AG is the largest stock exchange operator in Germany. NYSE Euronext's main competitors are Nasdaq OMX (NDAQ) and CME Group (CME).

We have a price estimate of $34.77 for NYSE Euronext's stock, which stands below market price.

Continue reading NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Boerse Merger Spells Promising Margin Outlook

NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Boerse Merger Spells Promising Margin Outlook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealsDeutsche BoersefeaturedmergernyseNyseEuronextTue, 22 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Continental Lifted by Merger's Regulatory Approval]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/30/continental-lifted-by-mergers-regulatory-approval/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/30/continental-lifted-by-mergers-regulatory-approval/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/30/continental-lifted-by-mergers-regulatory-approval/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Continental Airlines (CAL - option chain) shares are rising today after the US Justice Department said over the weekend that it has no more antitrust concerns about CAL's proposed merger with UAL Corp. (UAUA). Now the merger only needs to gain approval from UAUA and CAL shareholders as well as the Transportation Department. The deal is expected to close by October 1. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on CAL.

CAL opened this morning at $22.23. So far today the stock has hit a low of $22.02 and a high of $25.99. As of 12:20, CAL is trading at $22.09 up 0.29 (1.3%). The chart for CAL looks bullish and S&P gives CAL a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.

Continue reading Continental Lifted by Merger's Regulatory Approval

Continental Lifted by Merger's Regulatory Approval originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CALCAL lifted by regulatory approvalContinental AirlinedealsinthenewsInvestors ObservermergeroptionsUAUAUnited Airlinesus department of justiceMon, 30 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Noble to Acquire Frontier Drilling]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/28/noble-to-acquire-frontier-drilling/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/28/noble-to-acquire-frontier-drilling/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/28/noble-to-acquire-frontier-drilling/#commentsFiled under:

Noble Corporation (NE) announced Monday morning that it has entered a definitive merger agreement with FDR Holdings, also known as Frontier. The deal values the joint venture at $2.16 billion. NE expects the deal to close by the end of July, and noted that it will be accretive to cash flow immediately and to earnings in 2011. NE will acquire a fleet of roughly 23 rig years of contracts that generate roughly $3.2 billion in gross contract backlog.

NE CEO David W. Williams sated that, "Frontier is an excellent strategic addition to NE's existing asset, customer and employee base ... This acquisition is a highly complementary extension of our mid- and deepwater presence and positions us for additional growth in new market segments that can provide further opportunities for Noble and our customers."

Continue reading Noble to Acquire Frontier Drilling

Noble to Acquire Frontier Drilling originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionFDR HoldingsfeaturedFrontierGulf of MexicointhenewsmergerNENobleMon, 28 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Covidien Acquiring Somanetics to Expand Medican Devices]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/covidien-acquiring-somanetics/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/covidien-acquiring-somanetics/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/covidien-acquiring-somanetics/#commentsFiled under:

Somanetics (SMTS) was the most advancing stock in the Nasdaq Wednesday morning, with shares up more than 31%, or nearly $6 to $24.85. Shares reacted to news that Covidien (COV) is buying Somanetics, acquiring all of the outstanding shares of Somanetics for $25.00 per share in cash, a 32% premium to Tuesday's close. Covidien will pay a total of $250 million, for a total transaction value of approximately $300 million.

Covidien, a drug and medical devices maker, is already the distributor for Somanetics' noninvasive diagnostic equipment called INVOS (In-Vivo Optical Spectroscopy) Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. INVOS monitors patients and continuously measures blood oxygen levels in the brain and in the body to help detect and correct complications.

Continue reading Covidien Acquiring Somanetics to Expand Medican Devices

Covidien Acquiring Somanetics to Expand Medican Devices originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>covcovidiendealsev3evvvinthenewsinvosmergersmtssomaneticsWed, 16 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call Buying Climbs on US Airways Group]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/14/call-buying-climbs-on-us-airways-group/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/14/call-buying-climbs-on-us-airways-group/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/14/call-buying-climbs-on-us-airways-group/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

US Airways Group (LCC) has been in the spotlight ever since word hit the street that the airline was considering a potential merger with UAL Corp.'s (UAUA) United Airlines. Now the shares are attracting even more attention, thanks to an industry report suggesting that average summer airfares could rise 25% on a year-over-year basis.

As a result, LCC's call options have been drawing a crowd. On Tuesday alone, call volume surged to more than double the norm, with 7,345 contracts crossing the tape. During the course of the session, traders on the International Securities Exchange (ISE) alone bought to open 4,129 calls on the airline, compared to just one put.

Continue reading Call Buying Climbs on US Airways Group

Call Buying Climbs on US Airways Group originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airfarescallsinthenewsLCCmergeroptionsshort interestshort sellerstechnical analysisUAL Corp.UAUAUS Airways GroupWed, 14 Apr 2010 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[United Airlines and US Airways Discussing Possible Merger]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/united-airlines-and-us-airways-discussing-possible-merger/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/united-airlines-and-us-airways-discussing-possible-merger/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/united-airlines-and-us-airways-discussing-possible-merger/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

On Wednesday evening, reports began to surface that UAL Corp (UAUA) and U.S. Airways (LCC) may be discussing a merger. The New York Times noted that the two airlines are "deep" in merger discussions, which would create the nation's second-biggest airline. According to the report, this is the third time in the past decade that the two have talked merger. Will this time be different?

I honestly believe that this time will be different, in large part because of the economy. As The Times points out, Southwest Airlines (LUV) was the only low-cost air carrier to turn a profit last year. A merger between UAUA and LCC could turn the companies a profit faster than as separate entities.

Continue reading United Airlines and US Airways Discussing Possible Merger

United Airlines and US Airways Discussing Possible Merger originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairline industryairlinesinthenewslccmergeruauaThu, 08 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oracle Completes Sun Merger]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/01/oracle-completes-sun-merger/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/01/oracle-completes-sun-merger/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/01/oracle-completes-sun-merger/#commentsFiled under:

Software giant Oracle (ORCL) finally completed its $7.4 billion acquisition of Sun Microsystems on January 26, for $9.50 per share in cash and debt deal, setting up an opportunity for the company to dominate its competition in the database software and enterprise computing systems markets.

Sun has been delisted from the Nasdaq and all Sun stock holders were to have cash payouts mailed to them within a week.

Continue reading Oracle Completes Sun Merger

Oracle Completes Sun Merger originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cisco SystemsCiscoSystemshewlett-packardibmjavamergeroraclesoftwareSolarisSun MicrosystemsSunMicrosystemsMon, 01 Feb 2010 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Will Kraft dump assets to sweeten the Cadbury bid? ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/15/will-kraft-dump-assets-to-sweeten-the-cadbury-bid/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/15/will-kraft-dump-assets-to-sweeten-the-cadbury-bid/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/15/will-kraft-dump-assets-to-sweeten-the-cadbury-bid/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Oscar Mayer weinermobileEarlier today, the Street was abuzz with rumors that Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) was investigating the sale of brands such as Maxwell House and Oscar Mayer in order to raise capital to up its Cadbury (NYSE: CBY) bid to something a little bit sweeter (and one the confectionery giant might not reject).

Kraft responded to the rumors saying they were just that - unfounded conjecture - and noted that it would not in fact need to ditch hot dogs and coffee for creme eggs and Trident gum. A spokeswoman for the company told Reuters "The financing for this proposal does not require any divestitures." So where did these rumors get started, anyway? Is Kraft protesting too much?

Continue reading Will Kraft dump assets to sweeten the Cadbury bid?

Will Kraft dump assets to sweeten the Cadbury bid? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyoutcadburycbyinthenewskraftmaxwell houseMaxwellHousemergermergers and acquisitionsMergersAndAcquisitionsoscar mayerOscarMayerTue, 15 Sep 2009 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Allergan, Inc. option volume surges on buyout speculation]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/25/allergan-inc-option-volume-surges-on-buyout-speculation/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/25/allergan-inc-option-volume-surges-on-buyout-speculation/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/25/allergan-inc-option-volume-surges-on-buyout-speculation/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As Jon Ogg reported, Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN - option chain) rallied sharply on Tuesday amid rumors that GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) was mulling a takeover bid. Speculative investors jumped all over the news, as option volume on AGN skyrocketed well beyond normal levels yesterday. Interestingly enough, it seems that some traders took advantage of the stock's surge to initiate new bearish positions.

Specifically, AGN on Tuesday saw 15,850 puts cross the tape, which represents about 14.5 times its average daily put trading volume. Meanwhile, 59,943 call contracts changed hands, marking 11.5 times the norm.

Continue reading Allergan, Inc. option volume surges on buyout speculation

Allergan, Inc. option volume surges on buyout speculation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionAGNAllerganbuyoutcallsGlaxoSmithKlineGSKinthenewsmergeroptionsputsWed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Roche and Genentech (DNA) believed close to a deal]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/10/roche-and-genentech-dna-believed-close-to-a-deal/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/10/roche-and-genentech-dna-believed-close-to-a-deal/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/10/roche-and-genentech-dna-believed-close-to-a-deal/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With news of the Merck/Schering-Plough merger, Roche (RHHBY) is nearing a deal with Genentech's (NYSE: DNA) board that would give Roche the remaining 44% of Genentech that it doesn't already own. Reports from the Wall Street Journal suggest that the two companies may have been close to a deal Monday afternoon, with timing and closing conditions yet to be agreed upon. In fact, the Journal noted that these terms could cause the deal to fall apart.

Roche is offering $95 per share for the remaining Genentech's shares, up from Friday's offer of $93 per share, which was already higher than the earlier offer of $86.50 per share. Reportedly, Genentech's board has pegged the company's worth at $112 per share. However, Roche's chairman noted that this price is not realistic, stating the firm's current offer is still fair.

Continue reading Roche and Genentech (DNA) believed close to a deal

Roche and Genentech (DNA) believed close to a deal originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dnagenentechinthenewsmergerpossible acquisitionPossibleAcquisitionpotential dealPotentialDealrhhbyrocheTue, 10 Mar 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Whole Foods, New Seasons come to agreement over financial data]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/16/whole-foods-new-seasons-come-to-agreement-over-financial-data/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/16/whole-foods-new-seasons-come-to-agreement-over-financial-data/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/16/whole-foods-new-seasons-come-to-agreement-over-financial-data/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The FTC won't give up its battle with Whole Foods (NYSE: WFMI) over the company's long-complete merger with Wild Oats Markets, but an agreement has been reached between Whole Foods and a small, local organic and natural foods' grocery, New Seasons Market. About six weeks ago in the New Seasons blog, popular CEO Brian Rohter highlighted an invasive subpoena received from Whole Foods' attorneys, claiming that his company's secrets are party to the FTC/Whole Foods dispute. The subpoena demanded a wide variety of documents, including all documents relating to competition with Whole Foods or Wild Oats; financial information, by store; market studies and strategic plans; and all plans for future stores, expansion and renovation. Local shoppers and business owners cried foul; the subpoena, many believed, was Whole Foods playing dirty pool.

Today, thanks to pressure from both the local and national community, Whole Foods came to an agreement with New Seasons whose terms weren't released, but in which the small Pacific Northwest chain will be required to release far less sensitive information. Rohter wrote that he was "pleased" with the outcome.

It could be that Whole Foods has far bigger fish to fry than whatever advantage it could have gained from New Seasons. The FTC recently asked a judge to order Whole Foods to bring back the Wild Oats signs, and to voluntarily halt whatever integration it still hasn't completed. What's more, rumors that the company is a takeover target could be distracting management as they (depending on these reports' truth) spin the rumor mill or wheel and deal with the potential acquirers. On the days' news, the stock was down 21 cents to $12.16, about four dollars higher than its five-year low, recorded just before Thanksgiving in November 2008.

Whole Foods, New Seasons come to agreement over financial data originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ftcmergernew seasonsNewSeasonswfmiwhole foodsWholeFoodswild oatsWildOatsFri, 16 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Don't sell your Genentech (DNA) stock just yet]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/14/dont-sell-your-genentech-dna-stock-just-yet/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/14/dont-sell-your-genentech-dna-stock-just-yet/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/14/dont-sell-your-genentech-dna-stock-just-yet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After the initial rebuff of Swiss-based pharmaceutical giant Roche's offer to acquire the 44% of Genentech (NYSE: DNA) stock Roche does not currently own, DNA is coyly encouraging the completion of a deal at a higher price.

Genentech is among the leading biotech companies in the world. It is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and commercialization of pharmaceutical products intended for treatment of previously untreatable illnesses.

In 1990, Roche acquired a 56% stake in the company. Since that time, the relationship between the two companies has been a model for similarly structured combinations.

Roche's offer of $89 per share for DNA was characterized by DNA as significantly undervaluing the company.

But this was hardly a "hit the road, Jack" response. DNA's board of directors has been encouraging the two sides to continue discussions, and recent comments suggest that the deal could come together soon.

Continue reading Don't sell your Genentech (DNA) stock just yet

Don't sell your Genentech (DNA) stock just yet originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big pharmaBigPharmabiotechbiotech stocksbiotechnologyBiotechStocksdlugoschDNAGenetechinthenewslouis navellierlouis navelliers portfoliograder proLouisNavelliersPortfoliograderPromergermergersmergers and acquisitionsMergersAndAcquisitionsnavellierportfolio grader proPortfolioGraderProrocheWed, 14 Jan 2009 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Whole Foods fights back against FTC in rare corporate move]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/09/whole-foods-fights-back-against-ftc-in-rare-corporate-move/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/09/whole-foods-fights-back-against-ftc-in-rare-corporate-move/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/09/whole-foods-fights-back-against-ftc-in-rare-corporate-move/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With the FTC, argues Whole Foods Markets (NYSE: WFMI), it's personal. Ever since the federal agency began its review over the company's merger with Wild Oats Markets about a year and a half ago, Whole Foods says, the deck has been stacked against the organic and natural foods store chain. What's more, the FTC has continued to pursue Whole Foods to undo its deal even though the merger closed in August 2007, after the FTC lost its first challenge to the merger in federal court. Just last week, reports of an intrusive subpoena had many watchers crying foul over Whole Foods' behavior; this week, the FTC is getting its own harsh spotlight.

Whole Foods is appealing to Congress, and yesterday filed a lawsuit to stop the FTC from continuing its challenge to the long-completed merger. The FTC is running a rigged game, says CEO John Mackey, and what's more -- "we would be better off today if we hadn't done this deal" with Wild Oats. With the depressed economy (and, grocery analysts like myself would argue, Whole Foods' inability to develop a cohesive mission that resonated with sustainability-conscious shoppers), Whole Foods sales have been bottoming out, and the debt the company accrued to complete the merger is now weighing heavy on the balance sheet.

Indeed, this battle over a minority of the grocery market -- a minority the FTC inexplicably argues is called "premium and natural grocery" and is unfairly dominated by Whole Foods -- has gone on long enough.

Continue reading Whole Foods fights back against FTC in rare corporate move

Whole Foods fights back against FTC in rare corporate move originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ftcinthenewsmergerwfmiwhole foodsWholeFoodswild oatsWildOatsTue, 09 Dec 2008 06:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Merger of beer giants all comes down to Rochester]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/14/merger-of-beer-giants-all-comes-down-to-rochester/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/14/merger-of-beer-giants-all-comes-down-to-rochester/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/14/merger-of-beer-giants-all-comes-down-to-rochester/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Who knew that the fate of world beer would one day be in the hands of the beer faithful in Rochester, New York? The tastes of this blue-collar town, along with neighbors Syracuse and Buffalo, are key in the pending acquisition of Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) by Belgian giant InBev, SA. The three cities make up half of the U.S. consumption of Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light. Due to the popularity of Labatt brews and Budweiser brands in upstate New York, the U.S. Justice Department worries that beer prices might rise in Rochester.

So, if the acquisition is to be approved, giving Europeans control over America's iconic beer brands, InBev is being asked to sell the Labatt USA subsidiary. Other major InBev brands, including Stella Artois, Becks, and Bass, are not considered competitive enough in any markets to reduce competition between beers and provide upward pressure on prices.

Nope, it all comes down to Rochester and its surprisingly European tastes. Who would have thought?

Merger of beer giants all comes down to Rochester originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anheuser-buschbeerbudbudweiserinbevinthenewslabattmergernew yorkNewYorkrochesterFri, 14 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reunion.com and Wink hook-up]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/reunion-com-and-wink-hook-up/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/reunion-com-and-wink-hook-up/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/reunion-com-and-wink-hook-up/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Even top social networks such as MySpace and Facebook have a tough time monetizing traffic. So, just imagine how hard it is for the smaller players.

Perhaps one approach to deal with this issue is consolidation, right?

Well, this week Reunion.com and Wink have agreed to a merger. In fact, the companies plan to create a new brand (to be launched early next year) and focus on so-called "people search." The goal is to build a database with 700 million user profiles. How? There will be integration with the myriad of social networks across the globe.

There will be resources to execute on the business model as last year Reunion.com snagged $25 million in venture capital.

In fact, Reunion.com is profitable since the company charges for premium services, such as to view certain user profiles and since it has attracted an older demographic (because of the desire to reunite with former friends and classmates).

Despite all this, VCs are showing less enthusiasm for social networking deals. In other words, Reunion.com and Wink will likely need to be frugal in building out their new brand, which will certainly not be an easy task.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Streetsmart Guide to Short Selling: Techniques the Pros Use to Profit in Any Market. He is also the founder of BizEquity, a valuation website.

Reunion.com and Wink hook-up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mergerReunion.comWinkMon, 03 Nov 2008 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Is a GM / Chrysler bailout and merger really the way to go?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/28/is-a-gm-chrysler-bailout-and-merger-really-the-way-to-go/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/28/is-a-gm-chrysler-bailout-and-merger-really-the-way-to-go/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/28/is-a-gm-chrysler-bailout-and-merger-really-the-way-to-go/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You may file this under he can't be serious.

Looking in The New York Times business section, I notice that GM CEO Rick Wagoner skipped on over to Washington with his hat in his hand. It seems that Mr. Wagoner has discovered that the bailout legislation has been written in a manner that would allow him to get some money for his flailing company, General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM). The funniness starts when you realize that Rick wants some money from the government (read that, us, the taxpayers) so he can finish totally wrecking his company by merging it with Chrysler. Really, the idea is almost too funny to laugh at. It makes me glad that my dad dumped his GM holdings when he did.

The Times' article states: "If G.M. or Chrysler were to go under, tens of thousands of people would be thrown out of work." That may be true in a fashion, but I have news for the Times and Mr. Rick Wagoner: if this merger happens, about 40% of those people now employed by the two companies will probably be out of work anyway. On the other hand, a merger of this sort would effectively pitch the UAW into the street, pretty much for good. Oh, I bet our friend Rick already thought about that.

If anyone who reads this has a chance to talk with GM's CEO Rick Wagoner before he pillages the public coffers to assure his income for a few more quarters, he/she might want to offer him this one little gem of wisdom:

An attractive, quality product, in keeping with the times, would really get your rear out of a jam, Rick.

Is a GM / Chrysler bailout and merger really the way to go? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bailoutChryslergminthenewsmergerRick WagonerRickWagonerTue, 28 Oct 2008 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Cerberus may have new CEO for GM/Chrysler combo]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/24/cerberus-may-have-new-ceo-for-gm-chrysler-combo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/24/cerberus-may-have-new-ceo-for-gm-chrysler-combo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/24/cerberus-may-have-new-ceo-for-gm-chrysler-combo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Will a marriage occur between General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Chrysler? According to industry scuttlebutt, talks have been going on for several weeks, but have been held up partially because of the credit crunch. Today in the Wall Street Journal, a source familiar with the talks reported that talks were proceeding at a "measured pace" and that Cerberus, the private equity firm that owns Chrysler, would want to breathe "fresh air" into the management team of the combined company.

The only member of the two current management teams who could possibly be considered "fresh air" would be Robert Nardelli, much-maligned former CEO of Home Depot and now-chief of Chrysler. He's been in the spot for a little over a year, the sum total of his auto experience. The two most likely candidates to head the combined entity at GM, CEO Rick Wagoner and COO Fritz Henderson, have each been with GM for decades (Henderson was even born in Detroit) and can hardly be considered new blood.

Bringing an outsider into a merged company would certainly create change, though it's hard to know who Cerberus has in mind. The firm's own staff is filled with onetime Fortune 500 executives, including former Johnson & Johnson COO Jim Lenehan and former MCI president and COO Tim Price. My money's on Price, who worked actively on the GMAC deal and thus has deep experience with the industry. Who else could Cerberus be considering for this historic amalgamation of American autos?

Cerberus may have new CEO for GM/Chrysler combo originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cerberuschryslergminthenewsmergerprivate equityPrivateEquityrumorFri, 24 Oct 2008 06:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Citigroup and Wells Fargo call a Wachovia truce]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/07/citigroup-and-wells-fargo-call-a-wachovia-truce/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/07/citigroup-and-wells-fargo-call-a-wachovia-truce/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/07/citigroup-and-wells-fargo-call-a-wachovia-truce/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) have reached a temporary cease-fire in the battle to acquire Wachovia Corporation (NYSE: WB). Late Monday, federal officials urged the dueling suitors to lay down their legal weapons and attempt a compromise in hopes of avoiding a protracted standoff in court. According to reports, new discussions between the banks and the Fed could lead to a division of Wachovia's assets between the two sparring suitors.

For those of you just joining this banking soap opera in progress: Citigroup agreed last Monday to acquire Wachovia's banking operations, with a little help from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). However, last Friday, Wells Fargo emerged with a financially superior bid to acquire Wachovia in its entirety, which eventually prompted Citigroup to file suit against its rival.

Today's news has sparked heavy volume on Wachovia's October 5 put option. This contract has seen 22,371 contracts cross the tape today on open interest of 57,273. This could indicate that many speculators are betting that the Wells Fargo bid won't go through -- at least, not in its entirety. That bid priced Wachovia at approximately $7 per share, compared to $1 per share under the terms of the Citigroup deal, according to Bloomberg.

Elizabeth Harrow is an analyst and financial writer in the research department at Schaeffer's Investment Research. She is featured in the video series Schaeffer's Daily Q&A on SchaeffersResearch.com.

Citigroup and Wells Fargo call a Wachovia truce originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banksbuyoutccitigroupinthenewsmergeroptionswachoviawbwells fargoWellsFargowfcTue, 07 Oct 2008 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[WaMu forced into acquisition by J.P. Morgan]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/25/wamu-forced-into-acquisition-by-j-p-morgan/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/25/wamu-forced-into-acquisition-by-j-p-morgan/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/25/wamu-forced-into-acquisition-by-j-p-morgan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In an enormous and startling turn of events, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has taken over Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM), forcing it into an arranged marriage. According to reports in the Wall Street Journal, the FDIC reached out to the nation's biggest banks, asking them to make an offer. JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) was the one to step up to the plate, taking over the bank's deposits and branches. The value of the deal, and the fate of the bad assets, isn't currently known; but equityholders and senior debt holders will be wiped out.

Depositors leery of the bank's failure were part of the problem; $16.7 billion in deposits have been taken out of the bank since September 15. According to the WSJ, the FDIC fund won't be affected by the takeover.

WaMu forced into acquisition by J.P. Morgan originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arranged marriageArrangedMarriagebailoutfdicinthenewsjpmmergerwamuwashington mutualWashingtonMutualThu, 25 Sep 2008 21:51:00 EST