# Monday, January 08, 2007
Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (NYSE:EYE) and IntraLase Corp. (NDAQ:ILSE) announced that the two companies have entered into a definitive agreement whereby AMO will acquire IntraLase for approximately $808 million in cash. Under terms of the agreement, AMO will pay $25 in cash per share of IntraLase stock and the individually determined cash value per share of outstanding stock options.

KLA-Tencor Corporation (NDAQ:KLAC) has agreed to acquire Therma-Wave (NDAQ:TWAV) via a tender offer for $1.65 per share in cash, in a deal worth $75 million.

Syntax-Brillian Corporation (NDAQ:BRLC) said that consolidated revenue for the quarter will be above $240 million with LCD TV shipments in excess of 350,000 units. The consensus stands at $189.23 million. The company also said gross margins will be in the top half of the range of 15% to 17% that was previously forecasted.

Delta Apparel, Inc. (AMEX:DLA) said that it expects second quarter revenues to be approximately $72 to $73 million versus its prior expectation of $74 to $78 million. Earnings are now expected to be in the range of $0.05 to $0.07 per diluted share versus its prior guidance of $0.14 to $0.18. The full fiscal year will show the company lowered sales expectations of $315 to $330 million from its prior guidance of $325 to $340 million. The company now expects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.33 to $1.46 per diluted share for the 2007 fiscal year versus its prior guidance of $1.81 to $2.00 per diluted share.

The Houston Exploration Company (NYSE:THX) entered into a definitive agreement with Forest Oil Corporation (NYSE:FST), under which Forest will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Houston Exploration for approximately $1.5 billion in cash and Forest common stock. Forest will also assume approximately $100 million of Houston Exploration net debt. Under the terms of the agreement, Houston Exploration shareholders will receive total consideration equal to 0.84 shares of Forest common stock and $26.25 in cash for each outstanding share of Houston Exploration common stock.

Tellabs (NDAQ:TLAB) said that it sees Q4 revenue of $455 million to $470 million, versus the consensus of $534.2 million. Non-GAAP earnings per share, assuming dilution, are expected to range from ten cents to twelve cents, versus the consensus of fourteen cents.

MarineMax, Inc. (NYSE:HZO) expects its earnings per share for its fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 to range from $1.40 to $1.50 on a fully diluted basis from the previous range of $2.05 to $2.15. The company expects a Q1 revenue of approximately $235 million driven by same-store sales growth of approximately 14% and approximately $29 million from stores that were opened or acquired that are not eligible for inclusion in the same-store sales base. Due to additional team member and product incentives, higher marketing and promotional costs which were necessary to drive the company's sales, operating margins were negatively impacted, which is expected to result in a first quarter loss per share ranging from $0.20 to $0.25 per diluted share.

United Surgical Partners International, Inc. (NDAQ:USPI) said that they signed an agreement to merge with UNCN Acquisition Corporation. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the holders of USPI common stock will receive $31.05 per share in cash for their shares, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.8 billion. The company expects Q4 revenues to be in the range of $295 million to $300 million, which is above the high-end of the company's previous guidance of $255 million to $265 million. The company now expects diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter to be $0.28 to $0.31, exceeding the company's previous guidance for the fourth quarter of $0.22 to $0.27. The consensus is $262.3 million and $0.27, respectively.

SKECHERS USA (SKX) now expects revenue for FY06 to be in the range of $1.196 to $1.201 billion, above its previous guidance of $1.156 to $1.166 billion, and diluted earnings per share for the full year are expected to be between $1.55 and $1.58, exceeding the company's previous guidance of $1.49 to $1.54. The consensus is $1.16 billion and $1.51, respectively.

LSI Industries Inc.
(NDAQ:LYTS) said that it expects net sales of approximately $80 million and diluted earnings per share between $0.19 and $0.22 for Q2. Current analyst estimates range between $0.25 and $0.29 per share with a consensus of $0.26. Management now expects diluted earnings per share to be between $0.88 and $0.93 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. This compares to management's previous guidance of $0.94 to $1.03 per share and analyst estimates of $0.95 to $1.12 per share with a  consensus of $1.00.

Venezuela's Chavez is calling for the nationalizing of the electricity and telecom sectors. Consequently, Compania Anonima Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela (NYSE:VNT) was halted for trading.

Monday, January 08, 2007 11:49:33 PM UTC  #     |  Trackback
Integral Systems Inc. (NDAQ:ISIS) found itself under pressure from 12% holder Fursa Alternative Strategies, after the fund announced that it would be nominating two of its own members to the company's board of directors at the next annual shareholders meeting. These nominees include their Chief Investment Officer William F. Harley and director William F. Leimkuhler. The move to replace members of the board comes as a result of the company's inability to execute strategic alternatives to unlock shareholder value, which the fund said it finds "troubling". The company hasn't made any progress since last October when they noted that they were seeking strategic alternatives, which could include a possible sale of the company.

According to the fund's Schedule 13D filing with the SEC:
"As the Company's largest shareholder, we would like to see the Company's corporate governance significantly improved. The Company's Board and Management seem to require regular reminding of the need to significantly increase shareholder value. To better understand and act more in accordance with owner interests, we now believe the Board must include institutional investor representation. To that end, Fursa Alternative Strategies hereby nominates William F. Harley, III to the Company's Board for election as a Director at the Company's next Shareholder meeting. Fursa also nominates for election as Director at the next Shareholder meeting William F. Leimkuhler, who presently serves as a Director of the Company." (Read More)
If Fursa is successful in obtaining two seats on the company's board, it could result in the company adopting strategic alternatives to unlock shareholder value. The stock is currently off its highs of around $33 in September to its current level of $23.29.

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Monday, January 08, 2007 7:43:31 PM UTC  #     |  Trackback
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (NDAQ:NDAQ) stepped up their efforts to acquire the London Stock Exchange (LSE) by foregoing an unresponsive board and taking their case directly to shareholders. The Nasdaq said that their $5.2 billion offer not only represented a fair price, but also argued that such an acquisition was necessary both companies in order to effectively compete with NYSE/EuroNext's transatlantic exchange.

Nasdaq also increased the pressure on shareholders and the board by noting that they could unload their entire 29% stake in the company without suffering a loss. Such actions would put heavy pressure on LSE shares, likely bringing them down to 1,100 pence or lower. Alternatively, they noted that there is significant overlap between NDAQ customers and LSE customers, which means they could choose to compete directly with the exchange if the offer falls through. Combined, these factors put significant pressure on LSE's board to act in favor of the deal, or face heavy shareholder criticism.

Nasdaq shares moved up $0.65 or 2% to $33.75 in mid-day trading on the news.

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Monday, January 08, 2007 4:43:35 PM UTC  #     |  Trackback