Veritas DGC (VTS) Higher on Unconfirmed Takeover Chatter

Veritas DGC Inc. (NYSE: VTS) is higher on unconfirmed rumors the company is the target of a takeover bid.

Veritas DGC Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a leading provider of integrated geophysical information and services to the petroleum industry worldwide.

Shares are up 5.2% in mid-day action on heavier-than-normal volume.

Maguire Properties (MPG) Higher On Takeover Speculation

Shares of Maguire Properties Inc. (NYSE: MPG) are higher Monday following an analyst suggestion that the company is the target of a buyout. According to reports from AP, Merrill Lynch analyst Ian C. Weissman said, "While Maguire has not officially put the company up for sale, a recent newsletter highlighted the possibility of a privatization by Maguire which could involve a partial buyout by existing management." Weissman said a buyout could value the company's shares at $43 to $45, according to the report.

In addition to the takeover speculation, an upgrade from Wachovia Securities to Outperform is contributing to today's move.

Shares of Maguire Properties are 7% higher to $40.14 in mid-day action Monday.

Under Armour (UARM) Higher On Renewed Takeover Chatter

A CNBC commentator mentioned that Under Armour Inc. (Nasdaq: UARM) is higher on renewed chatter that Nike (NYSE: NKE) could be interested in buying the company. Shares of Under Armour are 2% higher in mid-day action today.

Anglo American (AAUK) Higher on Reports of Possible Takeover Approach

Shares of Anglo American plc (Nasdaq: AAUK) are higher today on a weekend report from UK paper, The Observer, that the miner could be the target of an $80 billion break-up bid from rivals Rio Tinto plc (RTP), Xstrata Plc, and Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (NYSE: RIO).

The paper said the companies, which are flush with cash due to the commodity boom, have hired financial adviors to look at the possible bid.

Shares of Anglo American are 3.2% higher to $23.34 in mid-day action.

Medtronic (MDT) Higher on JNJ Takeover Chatter

Medtronic Inc. (NYSE: MDT) is higher on rumors Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) could make a bid for the company. Shares of Medtronic are 3.8% higher in mid-day action.

Jim Cramer Makes Positive Comments on Varian Medical Systems (VAR)

Jim Cramer makes positive comments on Varian Medical Systems Inc. (NYSE: VAR), saying on the strength of it's anti-cancer machine and x-ray machines, the company will get a bid to be acquired.

Cramer thinks Philips Electronics NV (NYSE: PHG) could easily make a $60 bid for the company. Then, in the long-run, turnaround and sell Varian to General Electric (NYSE: GE) for even more.

Takeover Rumors on Alcan (AL) Won't Die

Takeover rumors on Alcan Inc. (NYSE: AL) continue, even after the company said it's not for sale. According to reports from the National Post, Alcan's CEO Richard Evans insists the company will maximize shareholder value by growing the company versus a sale. According to the paper, Evans said, "Are we trying to position the company for sale, or are we trying to grow the company? It's clearly the latter."

Analysts see Rio Tinto plc (NYSE: RTP) or BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE: BHP) as likely buyers for Alcan. Merrill Lynch analyst Vicky Binns said, "In our view, an acquisition of Alcan makes good strategic sense for Rio Tinto."

Shares of Alcan are down 0.6% to $47.30 in mid-day action Friday.

Visteon (VC) Jumps On Reports Company Hired Advisors for Sale

Shares of Visteon Corp. (NYSE: VC) are ramping higher today on reports the company may be sold. According to reports from Bloomberg, DebtWire reported that the company hired Citigroup and JP Morgan to advise on a sale and the company has received a first round of bids.

On Tuesday, Visteon reported better than expected second quarter results and raised its estimate for 2006 full year EBIT-R.

The company's largest shareholder Pardus Capital has been buying large amounts of stock recently and may behind a push to sell the company.

Shares of Visteon Corp. are up 14.2% to $7.80 in early action Thursday, after trading as high as $8.45 earlier in the session.

Renewed Takeover Chatter on Palm (PALM) After Analyst Note

We're hearing renewed takeover chatter on Palm (Nasdaq: PALM) today, which is likely related to comments from Merrill Lynch analyst Vivek Arya who started coverage on the stock today with a Buy rating.

In the report Arya said, "In our view, Palm could be an attractive option for PC makers like Dell (Nasdaq: DELL) and HP (NYSE: HPQ) as a way to enter the faster-growing, premium-priced smartphone space."

Palm has long-been a rumored takeover target, and recent rumors even had the company linking up with rival Research In Motion (Nasdaq: RIMM).

Shares of Palm are up 0.69% to $14.60 in mid-day action Wednesday.