Month: August 2011

Mergers & Acquisitions

AEGON to Sell Closed UK Life Insurance Business Guardian

August 16, 2011 0

AEGON to Sell Closed UK Life Insurance Business Guardian PR Newswire THE HAGUE, The Netherlands, August 16, 2011 THE HAGUE, The Netherlands , August 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — In line with its strategic objective to optimize its portfolio of businesses, AEGON has decided to sell its UK-based Guardian life and pension business for a total cash consideration of GBP 275 million to Cinven, a European private equity group. Guardian, which manages over 300,000 life insurance policies in the United Kingdom , has been closed to acquiring new business since 2001. AEGON Asset Management has entered into a long-term agreement with Cinven and will continue to manage the assets of Guardian which total GBP 7.4 billion . […]

Momentum Stocks

American Int'l Group (AIG) – Bear of the Day (AIG)

August 16, 2011 0

We are downgrading our recommendation on American International Group ( AIG ) to Underperform on weak global cues, sluggish insurance dynamics and consistent cash outflow. The lock-in period for stock offering further holds back the attainment of capital flexibility in the near term. Higher restructuring charges and increasing losses from catastrophes, underwriting and investments along with adverse reserve developments are also affecting stock price declines. […]

Stock Analysts

ICICI Bank Stays Neutral (HBC) (IBN) (STAN)

August 16, 2011 0

We are maintaining our Neutral recommendation on ICICI Bank Limited ( IBN ). Though we are concerned about ICICI’s highly competitive operating environment and below-average credit quality, we anticipate continued synergies from the company’s increased dependence on domestic loans, an almost stable funding base and market leadership in the insurance business. ICICI Bank’s fiscal first quarter 2012 (ended June 30, 2011) profit came in at INR13.32 billion (US$298 million), up 29.8% from INR10.26 billion (US$230 million) in the year-ago quarter […]

Stock Analysts

Colgate-Palmolive Still Neutral (CL) (PG)

August 16, 2011 0

We have maintained our long-term Neutral recommendation on Colgate-Palmolive Company ( CL ) with a target price of $89.00 per share. Moreover, the company has a Zacks #3 Rank, implying a short-term 'Hold' rating on the stock. Colgate-Palmolive is the industry leader in oral care and commands market-leading positions in many personal care product categories […]

Mad Money Episodes

Cramer’s View on Oracle

August 15, 2011 0

[cnbc 3000039481] Whatever worries you might have about Oracle the company, you need to acknowledge that Oracle the stock has taken a pounding lately, with Mad Money host Jim Cramer […]

Mad Money Episodes

Cramer Sounds off on SodaStream

August 15, 2011 0

[cnbc 3000039479] Last Thursday SodaStream, which had been one of the hottest stocks out there, imploded after reporting what, at first glance, might have looked like an upside surprise, with Mad Money host Jim Cramer. […]

Stock Analysts

Hospira Remains Neutral (HSP) (LLY) (SNY)

August 15, 2011 0

We have maintained a Neutral recommendation on Hospira Inc. ( HSP ) with a target price of $55.00 following the announcement of the second quarter results. Hospira’s second quarter earnings of 94 cents per share were well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 77 cents […]

Stock Analysts

Integra Unveils Zuma-C Spine (IART) (MDT) (SYK)

August 15, 2011 0

Medical devices maker Integra LifeScience Holdings ( IART ) recently announced the global launch of its Zuma-C Anterior Cervical Fixation System. Based on the original Zuma platform, this product is expected to expand the company’s spine product portfolio. For several years, Zuma platform has been successfully used in the surgical procedure to remove herniated or degenerative discs in the neck. […]

Stock Analysts

Luminex Reiterated at Neutral (LIFE) (LMNX)

August 15, 2011 0

We maintain our Neutral recommendation on Luminex Corporation ( LMNX ). Second-quarter fiscal 2011 earnings of 11 cents a share outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimates of 6 cents. Profit propelled more than five-fold year over year riding on solid double-digit growth in revenues. […]

Stock Analysts

First Approval for LAN-TAM merger (AMR) (GOL) (LFL) (TAM)

August 15, 2011 0

The approval of Chilean airline LAN S.A’s ( LFL ) plan to buy rival Brazilian carrier TAM Linhas Aereas ( TAM ), for forming LATAM, one of the world’s major airlines, has been recommended by the antitrust unit of Brazil's finance ministry. This approval is the first of its three antitrust decisions in Brazil for the LAN-TAM merger deal, announced a year ago. […]

Kitco Video

Gold is Cheap – Greg Hunter (USAWatchdog)

August 15, 2011 0

[youtube QAobZPA5txM] Greg Hunter, former correspondent for ABC and CNN, and founder of USAWatchdog.com, shares his thoughts on the mounting debt crisis, which he thinks is “nothing short of the destruction of fiat money in the West.” He also shares his ideas on market manipulation and QE3; not only does Hunter recommend gold as a core, long-term asset, but he considers it to be extremely cheap at current levels. Reporting by Daniela Cambone for Kitco News. […]