Media Digest 1/29/2007 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Barron's

According to Reuters, Honda (HMC) and Toyota (TM) should post double digit sales increases for the fourth quarter of 2006 while Nissan’s sales will lag.

Reuters writes that profits at Canon (CAJ) rose 8.2% for the year based on strong sales of cameras and copiers.

Reuters reports that Sanofi-Aventis is in early talks to merge with Bristol-Myers (BMY). The deal would create the largest drug company in the world.

The Wall Street Journal writes that US Airways (LCC) could lift it hostile bid for Delta by $1 billion.

The WSJ also writes that Deutsche Telekom (DT) lowered its forecasts for 2007 throwing cold water on hopes that the big German company could be turned around quickly.

The New York Times reports that Equity Office Products (EOP) is favoring a bid from Blackstone over one from Vornado Realty (VNO).

KKR is leading a group of private equity firms planning to buy Laureate Education (LAUR) for $3.8 billion.

The FT also reports that with Vista, Microsoft (MSFT) is likely to end major releases of its operating system in favor of smaller, more frequent updates.

Barron’s writes that Stifel Nicollaus has put a price target on RealNetworks (RNWK) of $9, well below the current price of $10.58.

Douglas A. McIntyre