Shares of Anadarko Petroleum (APC) gapped higher right out of the gate Thursday morning, thanks to a report that BHP Billiton (BHP) may be eyeing the firm as a potential takeover target. According to the U.K.'s Daily Mail, BHP could be prepping an offer worth $90 per share to acquire Anadarko. However, neither company has issued a formal response to the speculation.

After jumping to a new annual high of $76.50 bright and early Thursday morning, APC is on pace to notch a weekly finish atop the $70 level for the first time since April 23. In fact, if the shares can maintain their positive momentum through Friday's close, the shares could stage their first weekly victory north of $75 since June 2008.

Jo-Ann Stores (JAS) announced that it has definitively agreed to be acquired by an affiliate of Leonard Green & Partners. The acquisition carries a total price tag of $1.6 billion, or $61 per share, which is a hefty 34% premium to Wednesday's close. The merger has been approved by JAS's board of directors after receiving a recommendation of a special committee that was made of independent directors.

JAS chairman and CEO Darrell Webb noted, "We are excited about the prospect of working with Leonard Green & Partners as we further capitalize on opportunities to accelerate the expansion and upgrade of our stores and pursue market share gains. With the help of our talented and dedicated team, we will continue to offer our customers a superior shopping experience for all of their fabric and craft needs."

Aéropostale (ARO - option chain) shares are soaring today on rumors that the company could go private in a deal with a private equity company worth $40 per share. ARO has not commented on the rumor. Even if ARO executives do not want to sell, this kind of interest could establish a floor for the stock price. 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 ARO.

ARO opened this morning at $24.62. So far today the stock has hit a low of $23.98 and a high of $25.00. As of 12:25, ARO is trading at $24.61 up 0.95 (4.0%). The chart for ARO looks bearish and S&P gives ARO a negative 2 STARS (out of 5) sell ranking.

The Russians are coming. A Russian state-owned company will control almost half of U.S. uranium production in the next few years.

The Financial Times reported on a partial takeover deal between AMRZ, the uranium mining division of State-owned Rosaton and Toronto's Uranium One. Uranium One controls mining operations in Wyoming, which would give AMRZ a footprint in the U.S.

Before the deal was struck, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) gave its approval. In addition, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission also gaveit the go-ahead.

Del Monte (DLM - option chain) shares are rising today on reports that the company is in advanced discussions with KKR (KKR) regarding a possible takeover of DLM. KKR is offering $18.50 per share for DLM, according to a Reuters report. 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 DLM.

DLM opened this morning at $17.46. So far today the stock has hit a low of $17.07 and a high of $17.72. As of 12:05, DLM is trading at $17.20 up $1.49 (9.5%). The chart for DLM looks bullish.

Early Monday morning, trading was halted on Gymboree (GYMB) after an announcement that Bain Capital Partners would acquire the children's clothing company. Reportedly, the definitive agreement calls for Bain to pay $65.40 per share for Gymboree, or $1.8 billion.

According to the terms of the agreement, Gymboree stockholders will receive $65.40 cash for each outstanding share of Gymboree common stock owned. This price is a 57.4% premium to Gymboree's share price on September 30, 2010 -- the date that takeover rumors began. And the $65.40 is a 23.5% premium over Friday's closing price of $52.95.

Canadian fertilizer firm Potash Corp of Saskatchewan (POT) is in the middle of a rash of takeover-related news this morning. First, Britain's Sunday Telegraph reports that Potash is working on a break-up plan in hopes of stopping BHP Billiton's (BHP) takeover bid. According to the report, Potash would sell its nitrogen and phosphorous assets, pay a $70 per share dividend, and increase its debt pile.

In addition to the weekend's news, The Globe and Mail reported Friday that Chinese firm Sinochem has approached the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) about a joint bid for Potash. Sinochem is making the pitch for a joint bid because it may believe that an individual bid would be shot down by Canada's political powers.

Dean Foods (DF - option chain) shares are up a significant amount for the second consecutive day after rumors resurfaced that Groupe Danone SA could be investigating an acquisition of the company. This rumor first came to light back in March, but since then DF has seen its share price cut by a third, which could make the company even more attractive now. 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 DF.

DF opened this morning at $10.55 So far today the stock has hit a low of $10.50 and a high of $10.75. As of 12:15, DF is trading at $10.63 up 0.41 (4.0%). The chart for DF looks neutral and S&P gives DF a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Over the weekend, French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) made its attempt to take over biotech firm Genzyme (GENZ) official. SNY offered $69 per GENZ share, which is slightly more than a dollar higher over GENZ's Friday close. The total value of the offer comes to $18.5 billion.

Although the offer isn't much more than Friday's close, it is 38% higher than GENZ's July 1 close. This is when speculation cropped up about a potential buyout offer from SNY. GENZ turned down the offer, noting that SNY was undervaluing the company.

Reportedly, Potash (POT) is considering joining forces with global firms that would be able to present an offer to compete with BHP Billiton's (BHP) $38.6 billion bid.

According to The Wall Street Journal, people "familiar with the matter" stated that there could be a global consortium in the works to make a counteroffer for Potash. BHP has gone straight to Potash shareholders with its offer of $130 per share.

Bit of a surprise in the tech sector Thursday morning, as Intel (INTC) announced that it will purchase Internet-security firm McAfee (MFE) for the tidy sum of $7.68 billion.

This move comes as a bit of a surprise, as some analysts and investors believe the acquisition shows the importance that computing firms are applying to security. Intel noted that more "elements of our lives have moved online," meaning that security will become a "third pillar of what people demand from all computing experiences." Intel said that the deal "elevates focus on security on par with energy-efficient performance and connectivity." Bottom line: Intel wants to protect customers who are taking advantage of our new online lifestyle.

Potash (POT) has turned down a takeover offer by BHP Billiton Limited (BHP). According to the Canadian giant, the deal was rejected because BHP's bid was "grossly inadequate." POT's board unanimously rejected BHP's offer of $130 per share in cash -- noting that the offer does not accurately reflect the value of POT's position in the industry, the value of planned expansions, and the value of POT's investments. The $130-per-share offer is a 16% premium over POT's Monday close of $112.15.

It sure seems that BHP was trying to score a major takeover with a lowball offer. Unfortunately for BHP, POT noted that there is a turnaround taking place in the fertilizer sector and BHP was simply trying to take advantage of the company.

Genzyme (GENZ - option chain) shares are rising today on a report in the Wall Street Journal which says that Sanofi-Aventis SA (SNY) could make a formal takeover offer to GENZ's board that could be worth about $20 billion. SNY declined to comment on the report. 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 GENZ.

GENZ opened this morning at $70.31. So far today the stock has hit a low of $69.97 and a high of $70.97. As of 11:55, GENZ is trading at $70.09 up $2.09 (3.1%). The chart for GENZ looks bullish and S&P gives GENZ a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Smithfield Foods (SFD - option chain) shares are rising today as rumors have surfaced that the company may be an acquisition target for Brazilian meat titan JBS. 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 SFD.

SFD opened this morning at $15.60. So far today the stock has hit a low of $15.28 and a high of $16.20. As of 12:15, SFD is trading at $15.34 up 0.46 (3.1%). The chart for SFD looks neutral and S&P gives SFD a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Several takeover rumors cropped up this morning. One of those is that RadioShack (RSH) is in the sights of many possible suitors. Those suitors include Blackstone Group (BX), Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Bain Capital, TPG, and potentially Best Buy (BBY).

These rumors had the shares trading higher this morning, which is really a continuation of RSH's longer-term trend. Since March 2009, RSH has trekked steadily higher, overtaking the 10-month moving average in the process. That said, the stock is stuck just below the $23 level.