Description: HP lost $8.8 billion on acquisition gone bad. Are high-priced consultants and accountants like KPMG and Deloitte to blame? Source: TheDailyBeast.com Date: Nov 21, 2012 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/21/how-hp-s-disastrous-deal-blows-a-hole-in-consulting.html Questions for Discussions: Who is at fault for this situation? What does this report say about the value of consultants and their effort at due diligence? What… Read more »
Posts Tagged: M&A
Sprint Says It Is in Negotiations With Softbank of Japan
Description: Sprint Nextel confirmed on Thursday that it was in talks with Softbank of Japan over a “potential substantial investment.†A deal would give the struggling American cellphone service provider a deep-pocketed backer to help finance its turnaround effort. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 11, 2012 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/10/11/softbank-of-japan-said-to-near-a-deal-for-control-of-sprint/ Questions for Discussions: Explain the reasons for the… Read more »
Bank of America to Pay $2.43 Billion to Settle Suit Over Merrill Deal
Description: Bank of America announced on Friday that it would pay $2.43 billion to settle a class action lawsuit related to its acquisition of Merrill Lynch, as the legal woes continue for the financial institution. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 28, 2012 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/bank-of-america-to-pay-2-43-billion-to-settle-class-action-over-merrill-deal/?ref=business Questions for Discussions: What lessons are there to be learned here for investors and… Read more »
The economy 4 years after Lehman
Description: CNNMoney takes a look at Wall Street jobs and where the country’s money is concentrated four years after Lehman Brothers went bankrupt. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 14, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/09/14/n-economy-four-years-after-lehman-collapse.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the changes that have taken place during the past four years. What change can be considered “for… Read more »
The Mystery Man Behind Weight Watchers And The Private Equity Deal Of The Century
Description:Â The private equity industry has produced legendary investors like Steve Schwarzman, David Rubenstein and Mitt Romney. But none of these guys have done a deal quite like Raymond Debbane, an unknown and secretive private equity investor who is based in New York. Debbane is the man behind Weight Watchers International, which is the private… Read more »
Bored traders share merger gossip
Description: Rumors of the acquisitions of Electronic Arts and Coinstar by private equity firms helped traders beat the dog days of summer. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 16, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/08/16/investing-bz-EA-Coinstar.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the factors that contributed to the speculation reported in this video? Do you think these reasons are… Read more »
Canadian Companies Shop for European Assets
Description: Canadian companies and pension funds are on a European acquisition binge, even as U.S. and Chinese buyers slash spending on takeovers there. Europe’s low valuations and the robust Canadian dollar are spurring deals by Canadian companies such as Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) and Alimentation Couche-Tard. “Canadian companies are basically punching above their weight in… Read more »
China flexes muscles with Cnooc, Nexen deal
Description: $15.1 billion deal one of many to greatly impact global oil, natgas. When Cnooc Ltd. scored a deal to acquire Canada’s Nexen Inc., it was one big leap for China’s largest offshore oil and natural gas producer, and one small step toward building a global empire to feed the Asian nation’s voracious appetite for… Read more »
Nokia: Are the Finnish finished?
Description: Ignore the takeover rumors, ailing cell phone maker Nokia won’t be acquired anytime soon. In fact, now is probably the time to bail. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 14, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/06/14/investing-bz-nokia.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: Summarize the analysis and recommendations presented by the reporter. Do you agree? What would you advise Nokia… Read more »
Supremex: The cheque really is in the mail
Description:  Are we really ready to stop mailing things? Is the all-digital life just around the corner? Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: 04/25/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/features/vox/supremex-the-cheque-really-is-in-the-mail/article2414186/ Questions for discussion: Summarized the appeal of this stock from an investor’s point of view. Would you be a buyer? How have the firm’s financial managers dealt with the lack of growth?… Read more »
