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Enron Mail |
======================== THE MOTLEY FOOL ======================== B R E A K F A S T N E W S Monday, October 8, 2001 benjamin.rogers@enron.com ================================================================= IN THIS ISSUE --------------------- - TOP STORY: Defense Sector Buyout Battle http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511719 - NEWS TO GO: Staples, Enron, and Compaq http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511720 - POST OF THE DAY: BEA - What is Application Server Software? http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511721 ================================================================= SPONSORED BY: MBNA MBNA offers preferred rates on Money Market Accounts and CDs for fellow Fools. Make your savings work for you with the security of FDIC-Insurance up to $100,000 per depositor. http://www.lnksrv.com/m.asp?i=511722 "When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty." -- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------- TOP STORY ----------------------------------------------------------------- DEFENSE SECTOR BUYOUT BATTLE With defense stocks in the spotlight amid a heated-up political and military environment -- which yesterday saw the U.S. begin what is reportedly a broad-reaching campaign in Afghanistan -- merger and acquisitions activity in the sector appears to be hot as well. On Friday, Newport News Shipbuilding (NYSE: NNS) said it may receive a buyout proposal from Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) that beats General Dynamics' (NYSE: GD) current offer. http://www.lnksrv.com/m.asp?i=511723 Paul Larson in early May reported that Newport, a maker of nuclear-powered Naval vessels -- agreed to sell to defense contractor General Dynamics for $67.50 per share in cash. It looked to be a happy ending to a long-running soap opera: The companies were set to merge in 1999 before Newport, unhappy with the buyout price and concerned about regulatory problems, balked. http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511724 Those problems seemed taken care of earlier this year -- but there was still the matter of Northrop, which tried to divert Newport News with a similar offer that, because it contained less cash than did General Dynamics', didn't get the job done with Newport News. This time Northrop hopes to be successful. According to a Newport News press release, a revitalized offer from Northrop is worth approximately $72.67 per share, and that was enough to get the companies back around the negotiating table. The talks are just talks -- and with the new offer potentially a superior one, Newport News would be remiss in its duty to stockholders were it not to consider it -- but it appears that the intrigue in the defense business is heating up again. (Two Fools debated the merit of defense stocks in last week's Dueling Fools feature.) http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511725 <<FULL STORY: http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511726 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS TO GO ----------------------------------------------------------------- Office supply retailer Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) said it is reportedly liquidating its stock of PCs to lower inventory as the market for computers continues to slow. The company will then focus on build-to-order. "Stocked computers are a relatively low margin category for us," a Staples spokesman told Reuters, "and they do take up valuable shelf and stockroom space which we could use for other products." Enron (NYSE: ENE) agreed to sell its Portland General Electric utility subsidiary to Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE: NWN) in a deal that will include, among other things, $1.55 billion in cash, a total of $250 million in preferred and common stock, and other considerations. The deal is expected to close by the end of last year. Jeffrey Skilling surprised Enron investors when he up and left the company back in August. http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511727 Compaq (NYSE: CPQ) announced a five-year deal to provide IT services to GE Aircraft Engines, a division of General Electric (NYSE: GE) in North and South America. The deal, which extends a current pact, is worth $95 million. Apple Computer (Nasdaq: APPL) continues to open retail stores as it looks for ways to market its products effectively to consumers. Stores in New York and Germantown, Tenn., were announced today, while a Palo Alto, Calif., store was announced last week. (Mike Trigg visited Apple's first store back in May.) http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511728 Sausage and restaurant company Bob Evans Farms (Nasdaq: BOBE) said it sold its Hickory Farms smoke flavorings subsidiary to Irish company Kerry Farms for an undisclosed cash sum. The company expects a one-time gain of between $0.08 and $0.10 per share in its fiscal second quarter ended Oct. 26. The proceeds will be used to repurchase shares and pay off short-term debt. Dave Marino-Nachison owns shares of General Electric. More importantly, he congratulates the U.S. Men's Soccer Team for qualifying for next year's World Cup. The Motley Fool is investors writing for investors. http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511729 http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511730 ----------------------------------------------------------------- POST OF THE DAY ----------------------------------------------------------------- BEA - WHAT IS APPLICATION SERVER SOFTWARE? Yes, application server software is traditionally considered middleware. It is often compared to any operating system because it doesn't do anything on its own, but instead provides services to developers. Rather than giving a detailed feature list of services provided by an application server, let me give a simple scenario. <<FULL POST: http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511731 ================================================================= SPONSORED BY: MBNA MBNA offers preferred rates on Money Market Accounts and CDs for fellow Fools. Make your savings work for you with the security of FDIC-Insurance up to $100,000 per depositor. http://www.lnksrv.com/m.asp?i=511732 ================================================================= My Portfolio: http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511733 My Discussion Boards: http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511734 WANNA TAKE THE SHORTCUT? Check out our new Crash Courses, the fastest way to get your finances in order. Get results in less than an hour, for just $10. Try one today! http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511735 PERKS FOR FOOLS ONLY Get free stuff and special offers, just for you! http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511736 CUSTOMER SERVICE Ask our staff for help with email delivery problems. http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511737 UNSUBSCRIBE Here's how to unsubscribe or change your settings. http://www.fool.com/community/freemail/freemaillogin.asp?email=benjamin.rogers@enron.com _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 1995-2001 The Motley Fool. All rights reserved. Legal Information: http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=511738 MsgId: msg-7265-2001-10-08_9-08-19-3289926_2_Plain_MessageAddress.msg-09:09:08(10-08-2001) X-Version: mailer-sender-master,v 1.84 X-Version: mailer-sender-daemon,v 1.84 Message-Recipient: benjamin.rogers@enron.com
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