S&P Equity Research Sees CMC, NX and STLD As Possible Takeover Targets in Steel

S&P Equity Research sees the following companies as potential acquisition candidates, Commercial Metals (NYSE: CMC), Quanex Corp. (NYSE: NX) and Steel Dynamics (Nasdaq: STLD). The firm said, "In our opinion, Commercial Metals has attractive assets in steel manufacturing, steel fabrication and scrap recycling. Quanex appears attractive for its strong market position in engineered steel bar and its ample free cash flow. Steel Dynamics has low-cost steel-making operations and a diversified product mix serving the automotive, distributor and nonresidential construction markets."
According to S&P Equity Research, the most likely acquirers would be Nucor Corp. (NYSE: NUE) and U.S. Steel (NYSE: X).

SanDisk (SNDK) for M Systems Flash (FLSH) Rumors Won't Die

We're hearing continued takeover chatter surrounding M Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd. (Nasdaq: FLSH), with SanDisk (Nasdaq: SNDK) being mentioned as the rumored suitor. On Monday, responding to media speculation of a deal, M Systems Flash said it had no comment on the matter.

Cramer Speculates That the ATI Tech (ATYT)/AMD is Not a Done Deal, Possibly Other Bidders

At RealMoney.com, Jim Cramer speculates that the ATI Tech (Nasdaq: ATYT) / AMD (NYSE: AMD) is not a done deal. Cramer said it is possible that Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) or NVIDIA Corp. (Nasdaq: NVDA) make a competing bid for ATI.

First Horizon National (FHN) May Be A Takeover Target - BusinessWeek

According to a report in BuisnessWeek's Inside Wall Street, First Horizon National (NYSE: FHN) may be ripe for a takeover. Ryan Beck's Jacqueline Reeves said Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) could use its scale to run FHN more profitably.

Leveraged Buyout of HCA (HCA) Fails - WSJ

According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, hospital operator HCA Inc. (NYSE: HCA) was negotiating a massive leveraged buyout that would have been among the largest in history, but the deal fell apart in its final stages.

According to the paper, the bidders were a group that included Bain Capital; Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.; Merrill Lynch Private Equity and the family of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, whose father, Thomas Frist, and brother, Thomas Frist Jr., founded HCA.

Cramer Says Market Pricing a Depression: MRVL, HAL

Commenting at Real Money.com on the market pricing in a depression, Jim Cramer said he's heard guys trash talk stocks into oblivion lately: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (Nasdaq: MRVL) to lose Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) to Samsung; Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) to lose government business and stop its spin-off.

Novartis AG Dismisses AstraZeneca (AZN) Buyout Rumors - MarketWatch

According to reports from MarketWatch, Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) dismissed rumors that it plans to buy AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE: AZN). According to the report, on a conference call Novartis CEO Daniel Vasella said, "What you have been hearing about AstraZeneca is not coming from us."

Soleil Securities upgrades Alltel (AT) to Buy; Sees Buyout or Buyback After Spin-Off

Soleil Securities upgrades Alltel Corp. (NYSE: AT) from Hold to Buy, saying the spin-off of its wireline business makes it a more attractive acquisition candidate and /or management could use the $2.3B cash dividend for a $3B buyout program. The firm raises its price target from $62 to $71, buy says the stock coulc be worth $80 in a buyout.

Rumors of Another Potential Mega-Deal in the Metals Sector

We're hearing chatter of another potential mega-deal in the metals sector. Rumored targets in the sector include Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX), Southern Copper Corp. (NYSE: PCU) and Anglo American (Nasdaq: AAUK).

Digitas (DTAS) Lower on Talk American Express Talking with Others

This morning, WR Hambrecht downgraded Digitas Inc. (Nasdaq: DTAS) downgrades from Buy to Hold, saying recent channel checks have confirmed that American Express is seeking ideas from competitive agencies for its commercial card advertising and marketing business currently held by Digitas.