Description: Warren Buffett said his “trigger finger is itchy†for takeovers after cash holdings at his Berkshire Hathaway Inc. climbed to $38.2 billion. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/26/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-26/buffett-says-his-trigger-finger-itchy-to-buy-with-38-billion-in-wallet.html Questions for discussion:  How might the fact that Warren Buffet is planning to go shopping for stocks influence other investors? Describe Buffett’s strategic thinking about investing… Read more »
Posts Tagged: M&A
NYSE Euronext, Deutsche Boerse to merge
Description: Deutsche Boerse AG on Tuesday unveiled a widely expected deal to pay about $9.5 billion to acquire NYSE Euronext, a transaction that would create an exchange powerhouse with annual revenue of $5.4 billion. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/15/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nyse-euronext-deutsche-boerse-to-merge-2011-02-15?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion:Â Do you believe there are any drawbacks to this deal for investors… Read more »
Nokia and Microsoft hook up
Description: The software and phone giants have teamed together to compete in the Smartphone market against Apple and other rivals. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/11/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/02/11/n_nokia_ms_quest.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you believe this collaborative effort will prove to be successful? How can this arrangement help cash flow and budgeting concerns for Nokia?… Read more »
Borders Nearing Bankruptcy Filing
Description: Borders Group Inc. is in the final stages of preparing a bankruptcy filing after failing to persuade publishers and others to go along with a plan to refinance the troubled bookstore chain’s debt. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/12/2011 Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704329104576138353865644420.html?mod=MKTW Questions for discussion: What is Borders’ value today? Make the case for a merger with another firm as… Read more »
Facebook Moves Toward IPO
Description: Facebook is poised to cross the 500 shareholder mark this year, so is an IPO in the works? Kelsey Hubbard gets a Facebook “status update” from the WSJ’s Dennis Berman. Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-07/apple-s-overture-to-blackstone-cfo-may-presage-deals.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons Apple is expected to go looking for acquisitions. Do you think Tosi would be a good… Read more »
Apple’s Overture to Blackstone CFO May Presage Deals
Description: Apple Inc.’s approach to Blackstone Group LP Chief Financial Officer Laurence Tosi about becoming finance chief may be a sign Steve Jobs is ready to pick up the dealmaking pace. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/07/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-07/apple-s-overture-to-blackstone-cfo-may-presage-deals.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons Apple is expected to go looking for acquisitions. Do you think Tosi… Read more »
TD Bank May Make More U.S. Purchases After Chrysler Financial
Description: Toronto-Dominion Bank may continue to make acquisitions in the U.S. after increasing its bet there with the $6.3 billion purchase of Chrysler Financial Corp., capping a record quarter for U.S. takeovers by Canadian lenders. Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 12/22/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-12-22/td-bank-may-make-more-u-s-purchases-after-chrysler-financial.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the possible strategic thinking behind the TD bank’s acquisitions…. Read more »
Groupon reportedly spurns Google’s billions
Description: Groupon Inc. has walked away from a Google Inc. acquisition offer worth as much as $6 billion, according to reports late Friday, appearing to set the stage for a Groupon IPO as soon as next year. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report  Date: 12/04/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/groupon-reportedly-spurns-google-merger-2010-12-04 Questions for discussion: Do you think Groupon is… Read more »
digits: Steve Jobs Jabs at Competition
Description: On yesterday’s earning call, Apple CEO Steve Jobs issued a string of criticisms about Apple’s rivals from Research in Motion and Google to unnamed companies making seven-inch tablets. Plus: what analysts have to say this morning about Apple’s growth overriding concerns. Peter Kafka and Jennifer Valentino-DeVries discuss on Digits. Source: Marketwatch..com – video report… Read more »
IBM Hits Record as Palmisano Focuses on Software, Services
Description: International Business Machines Corp. rose to the highest level since it went public in 1915 as investors show support for Chief Executive Officer Sam Palmisano’s strategy of remaking the 99-year-old company. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 10/07/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-07/ibm-rises-to-highest-closing-price-since-computer-company-s-1915-offering.html  Questions for discussion: Summarize the strategies used by Sam Palmisano to boost IBM share value. Do… Read more »
