Daily deals site, Groupon Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) announced on Monday that it has acquired Blink Booking. Blink Booking is a Madrid based start-up which made last minute hotel booking app called Blink. The terms of the deal were not revealed though. Blink, which was founded in 2011, raised $2.5 million last year in order to expand its traction. According to Blink Booking’s website, the app at present offers last minute bookings for hotels spread across 184 cities in eight countries. The deal will help Groupon to expand its presence in Europe. The Blink app has been downloaded more than 600,000 times so far.
Month: September 2013
Suntory Beverage & Foods Ltd. Buys GlaxoSmithKline’s Lacozade and Ribena Brands
Japan’s Suntory Beverage & Foods Ltd. has agreed to acquire, Lacozade and Ribena, two soft drink brands from GlaxoSmithKline Plc. (ADR) (NYSE: GSK) in a deal estimated at 1.35 billion pounds or $2.1 billion. The acquisition will allow Suntory, known for its beer and Yamazaki whisky, to beef up its product portfolio and gain traction in international markets, where these brands are present already. GlaxoSmithKline said that it use this money towards repaying debt and some other general corporate purposes.
Smith & Wesson Posts Strong Quarterly Results But Shares Tumble
Firearms maker, Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: SWHC) after the market close on Thursday said that fiscal first quarter net income rose 49%, driven by robust demand for guns. Besides, earnings and revenue also beat Street’s consensus estimate. However, analysts are concerned about the future sales trend. Analysts fear that the unusual demand seen in last few quarters will stabilize now. A series of mass-shooting incidents last year raised speculation that lawmakers might make gun control laws stiffer. Still, the Company is confident that sales will continue to show strong growth. Smith & Wesson lifted its full-year sales outlook on Thursday.
GlaxoSmithKline In Final Talks To Sell Locozade and Ribena
Japan’s Suntory Beverage & Food is in final round of talks with Britain’s leading drug maker, GlaxoSmithKline Plc. ADR (NYSE: GSK) to buy latter’s Locozade and Ribena drinks, said people familiar with the matter. These sources said that Suntory has offered more than 1 billion pounds (about $1.6 billion) to buy these brands. The deal is likely to be announced in coming days, sources said. The bid comes shortly after GlaxoSmithKline in April said that it intends to sell Lucozade and Ribena. Although these brands have been successful in Britain, they have struggled to gain foothold in international markets.
Blackberry Ltd. To Speed Up Auctioning Process
Beleaguered smartphone manufacturer, Blackberry Ltd. (NASDAQ: BBRY) is trying to speed up its auctioning process, said sources familiar with the matter. These courses said that the Company intends to find a buyer by November. Last month, the Company announced that it was looking at all strategic alternatives to transform its flagging business. Since then, the Company has held several early stage negotiations with potential bidders. A person familiar with the development said that the Company has already begun shortlisting the potential buyers list, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Groupon Shares Rally After Morgan Stanley Upgrade
Shares of e-commerce marketplace, Groupon Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) gained sharply on Thursday after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to a “buy”, citing turnaround in North American region due to the introduction of the deal bank. Besides, in the research report, Morgan Stanley’s equity analyst, Scott Devitt also said that Groupon’s growing revenue from mobile business is raising confidence that the company will soon be able to stage a turnaround in other regions such as Europe, The Middle-East and Africa and benefit from sizable market opportunity. So far this year, the Stock has gained 126%.
SAIC Inc. Miss Q2 Forecast, Outlook Disappointing
Shares of SAIC Inc. (NASDAQ: SAI) fell sharply on Wednesday after the defense contractor reported a dip in fiscal second quarter profit. Weaker revenue, expenses linked to a separation of the company into two and big asset impairment charge all weighed on the bottom line. Revenue and earnings per share also fell short of Street’s forecast. Besides, the Company also downwardly revised its outlook for the fiscal 2014. The Company now expects revenue of $9.7 billion to $10.2 billion down from earlier guidance of $10 billion to $10.7 billion.
Ciena Corp. Provides Upbeat Q4 Revenue Guidance
Telecom-equipment maker, Ciena Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN) reported on Wednesday that fiscal third quarter loss narrowed as the bottom line was bolstered by higher revenue and wider margin. Shares rallied as both revenue and earnings beat analysts’ expectations. In addition, the Company also handed strong guidance for the current quarter. The Company anticipates revenue of $550 million to $580 million while Street’s consensus estimate was of $551 million. Revenue from equipment business rose 17% to $437.4 million while revenue from services edged up slightly to $100.9 million, in the latest period. Overall, revenue increased 14% to $538.4 million. Gross margin widened to 42.4% from 38.2%.
Samsung to Reveal Its Much Anticipated “SmartWatch” At IFA
South Korean electronic goods giant, Samsung is ready to launch its new large-screen Galaxy Note 3 series phone at IFA, Berlin, (annual consumer electronics trade show) on Wednesday. However, all gadget freaks are eagerly waiting for the simultaneous launch of the “Smartwatch”, more popularly dubbed as Galaxy Gear. Earlier this week, Samsung Electronics’ executive also confirmed to a local newspaper that the company was all set to launch its latest offerings this Wednesday, referring to smartphone as “new wearable concept device”.
Jarden Corp. to Buy Yankee Candle Company For $1.75 Billion
Jarden Corp. (NYSE: JAH), which supplies wide-ranging consumer products, announced on Monday that it has agreed to buy a Yankee Candle Company Inc from a private equity firm, Madison Dearborn Partners LLC. in a deal valued at $1.75 billion. Yankee Candle was bought by Madison Dearborn Partners LLC in 2006 for $1.6 billion. The deal, Jarden said will be financed partially through cash, stock and debt, Jarden said. Commenting over the deal, Jarden Corp’s founder and CEO Martin Frankin said that this was the Company’s first major acquisition since April 2010. The deal is expected to bolster sales in the Company’s branded consumer good division.