Are Stock Option Probes Coming To An End? (BRKS, BRCM, MRVL)
It looks like the SEC is getting more focused in its options backdating probes, although it is going after some companies more than others. Frankly, it’s about time to wrap this up as it…
All Work
Douglas A. McIntyre
Devon Closes Another African Operations Sale (DVN)
Shares of Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE: DVN) are up slightly as the company has closed on the sale of another asset in Africa. The company closed upon the sale of its operations in Gabon,…
Another Analyst Hammers Investment Banking Stocks (LEH)(GS)(MS)
As each day passes, a larger and larger portion of the analyst community turns on banks and brokerages like a pack of wild dogs. The majority report now seems to be that most large…
Caution in Home Depot Ahead of Earnings After Lowe’s (HD, LOW)
This morning the earnings report out of Lowe’s Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) has taken shares lower. The housing materials and hardware giant saw a near-18% drop in earnings and its numbers came in at…
Finding Solutions To Avoid Small Business Bankruptcies
The trouble in the business world is not just confined to big companies and banks which get covered on the front pages of newspapers. Small business in America is officially in trouble. A study…
Energy Spin-Offs Still Outstanding (ETR, CVI)
Last week, we noted in "Trouble Brewing in Oil & Gas MLP Land" that many MLP spin-offs had either not been coming public since their IPO filing dates, but there are more deals that…
ZAP Additional Funds Raised… From the U.A.E. (ZAAP)
There is some interesting financing news this morning, even if the financing is not one of massive proportions in private equity, venture capital, or in sovereign-type investments. An OTC-BB listed stock called ZAP (OTCBB:…
IPO FILING: Metals USA Holdings (MUX)
Metals USA Holdings Corp. has filed to come public this morning via an initial public offering. The company is taking the proposed ticker of "MUX" on NYSE. For filing purposes, it intends to sell…
IPO Filing: Vought Aircraft Holdings, Inc.
Vought Aircraft Holdings, Inc. filed late Friday to come public via an IPO in a securities sale of up to $250 million. Vought will take the proposed ticker of "VTC" on the NYSE. The…
Dell Trades One Known CFO for a New Known CFO (DELL, GE)
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) has announced that Don Carty, Vice Chairman and CFO, will step down from the company. He will remain a board member, but will end his direct duties on the effective…
IPO FILING: Safe Bulkers (SB)
Late Friday afternoon, a filing came from Safe Bulkers, Inc. for a proposed IPO of its shares. The company has applied for the ticker "SB" on NYSE. Pricing indications are 10 million shares in…
Top 10 Pre-Market Analyst Calls (AKAM, AEO, ARBA, BBI, CPWR, DVAX, FNSR, NCC, TOO, TXN)
These aren’t the only analyst calls this Monday morning, but these are the ones we are focusing on early this morning: Akamai Tech (NASDAQ: AKAM) Cut to Hold from Buy at Citigroup. American Eagle…
National Association for Business Economics Call For Prolonged Problems
National Association for Business Economics members say that the housing disaster and credit problems "might" get better this year. The economic downturn and job losses could go on much longer. According to the AP…
More Bad News For Yahoo! (YHOO): Display Ad Market In Trouble
Recent data on advertising buying patterns show that online marketers are moving toward search advertising and away from display ads. Some of the numbers are more than worrisome. The New York Times writes that…
A Chance For Electronic Arts (ERTS) To Walk On Take-Two (TTWO)
It is about the time that Electronic Arts (ERTS) is expected to extend its hostile bid of Take-Two Interactive (TTWO). Take-Two has argued that it is worth much more than the EA offer. Two…
Big Asia Money See “Sucker Rally” In Region
Asian markets are way up since March. Investors hope that the region has dodged the bullet of a slowdown in the West. A sharp recession in America could cause a drop in demand for…
Bell Canada (BCE): The Battle For The Last Great LBO
The skulduggery of banks who want out of LBOs is already widely known, and expected. Big financial companies have tried to put the legs out from under a deal to take Clear Channel (CCU)…
Media Digest 5/19/2008 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Bloomberg
According to Rueters, Microsoft (MSFT) has proposed a partnership with Yahoo! (YHOO), in place of a buy-out, which may push Carl Icahn to try to get a deal for Yahoo! to set up a…
Asia Markets 5/19/2008 (CN)(SNP))
Markets in Asia were narrowly mixed. The Nikkei rose .4% to 14,270. Kobe Steel was up 4.6% to 344. Mitsubishi Corp was up 4.8% to 3870. The Hang Seng rose .2% to 25,661. China…
Microsoft (MSFT) Renews Talks With Yahoo! (YHOO)
It look like Carl Icahn and his friends and fellow institutions may be about to make some real money on Yahoo! (YHOO) stock. They probably bought in at $25. They may get $31 to…