Continue reading Closing Bell: Bulls on vacation (BAC, C, CIT, HLCS, MSFT, GOOG)

Closing Bell: Bulls on vacation (BAC, C, CIT, HLCS, MSFT, GOOG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Publicis catches Microsoft's Razorfish for $530 million

Publicis catches Microsoft's Razorfish for $530 million originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has engaged investment bank Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) to help it unload digital agency Razorfish. Publicis (OTC: PGPEF) is looking for targets in the online ad space and could be a possible bidder.

Razorfish has been valued at $600 million to $700 million, based on a top line of approximately $400 million for its last fiscal year and peer margins of 12% to 13%. The company boasts 2,000 employees and clients that include Audi, Nike (NYSE: NKE) and Kraft (NYSE: KFT). Microsoft bought the company as part of a $6 billion deal to acquire aQuantive. At the time, Razorfish was known as Avenue A Razorfish, as the result of a merger sealed in the wasteland known as the "dotcom bust."

Continue reading Microsoft to unload Razorfish, Publicis looking?

Microsoft to unload Razorfish, Publicis looking? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Sunco Inc (NYSE: SUN) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Banc of America, as the firm believes Sunoco's valuation discount is justified since its net margin/barrel is almost $2.50 below its closest peer due to inferior assets.
  
• Deutsche Bank downgraded shares of Primedia Inc (NYSE: PRM) to Hold from Buy on valuation.
  
• Citigroup downgraded shares of WPP Group (NASDAQ: WPPGY) to Hold from Buy and shares of Publicis Groupe (NYSE: PUB) to Sell from Hold to reflect their more cautious view of the advertising sector.
  
• Goldman sees better catalysts at other E&Ps and downgraded Newfield Exploration Company (NYSE: NFX) to Neutral from Buy.

• Jefferies downgraded Macrovision Corporation (NASDAQ: MVSN) to Hold from Buy.
  
• Merrill Lynch downgraded American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO) to Sell from Neutral.
  
• Citigroup downgraded Bachoco (NYSE: IBA) to Hold from Buy.
  
• Wimm-Bill-Dan Foods (NYSE: WBD) was downgraded to Sell from Buy at UBS.

Analyst downgrades: SUN, PRM, WPPGY, PUB and NFX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Brean Murray started shares of Coldwater Creek (NASDAQ: CWTR) with a Buy rating and $25 target, expecting second-half upside from new merchandise this year.

• Keybanc is positive on Celadon's (NASDAQ: CLDN) disciplined approach to strategic acquisitions and leverage in its operating model, starting shares with a Buy rating and $20 target.

• CRT Capital believes Berry Petroleum (NYSE: BRY) has the ability to continue to deliver double digit percentage production/reserves growth and started shares with a Buy rating and $40 target.

• American Technology believes SiRF Technology Holdings (NASDAQ: SIRF) will continue to be a market leader in GPS chipsets and finds the company's wireless business undervalued, starting shares with a Buy rating and $26 target...

• Javelin Pharmaceuticals Inc (AMEX: JAV) was initiated with an Outperform rating at Leerink Swann.

• UBS started Arris Group, Inc (NASDAQ: ARRS) with a Buy rating and $18 target.

• Publicis Groupe (NYSE: PUB) was started with a Buy rating at ING.

• Thomas Weisel initiated shares of Ambassadors International (NASDAQ: AMIE) with an Overweight rating and $41 target. Baird started

• Capella Education Co (NASDAQ: CPLA) with an Outperform rating and $46 target.

Analyst initiations 5-21-07: ARRS, CWTR, PUB and SIRF originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 May 2007 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• JP Morgan upgraded Circuit City Stores Inc. (NYSE:CC) to Overweight from Neutral, telling clients it is taking advantage of more realistic expectations and valuation; they also see some positive catalysts in 2008 that may include product introductions, such as Microsoft Corp.'s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Vista and the availability of the PS3 from Sony Corp. (NYSE:SNE) and Nintendo Ltd.'s (OTC:NTDOY) Wii.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE:BBY) to Outperform from Neutral with a $59 target, telling clients the focus on the electronics retailer has moved too much into the slight shortfall of Q3, which undervalues the solid growth through 2007 as well as the strong balance sheet the company enjoys.

• Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:DRI) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Raymond James.
• Accenture Ltd. (NYSE:ACN) was upgraded to Sector Perform from Underperform at RBC Capital Markets, and believes that strong demand for consulting, solid outsourcing visibility, and strong financial fundamentals are likely to offset the negative impact of offshore labor cannibalization in the near-term; Baird also upgraded Accenture, to Outperform from Neutral with a $39 target, following strong first quarter earnings and guidance.
• Deutsche Bank is positive on Publicis Groupe (NYSE:PUB) acquisition of Digitas Inc. (NASDAQ:DTAS) and upgraded the acquirer to Buy from Hold.

Analyst upgrades 12-21-06: CC, BBY upgraded originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.