Electronic Arts (NDAQ:ERTS) CEO Larry Probst said that the company was "at the very beginning of the next significant growth cycle" after receiving sales boosts from the new PlayStation 3 and XBox 360 systems.

AOL Time Warner's (NYSE:TWX) chief executive Steve Swad left the company last week to join a private equity firm, a move that follows many others in the company as they attempt to convert from an internet provider to advertising giant.

Dell Computers (NDAQ:DELL) said it has hired Ron Garriques, Motorola handset chief, to lead the company's consumer group. This move follows a series of other new executives filling in the ranks of Dell as the company attempts to turn itself around after several disappointing quarters.

DaimlerChrysler (NYSE:DCX) reportedly is in talks to sell slumping U.S. division to General Motors. This move would generate significant cash for the automaker to assist in its efforts to further focus on its core competencies.

Morningstar (NYSE:MORN) moved up on Friday after analysts predicted strong growth for the fast-moving financial company. Elliott Schlang of Great Lakes Review, the institutional research arm of Soleil Securities Corp., is predicting Morningstar's fourth-quarter net income will jump 31.5% to $13.3 million, or 28 cents a share. The company generated profits of $10.1 million, or 22 cents per share, in a record-setting 2005 fourth quarter.

Simon Property Group and its partner won a brief bidding war for the Mills Corp. (NYSE:MLS) and its 38 shopping malls after sweetening their initial offer by $80 million.

The Brinks Company (NYSE:BCO) shares moved up $0.48, or 0.77%, to $62.90 during Friday's trading after Bloomberg released an article about Pirate Capital's intentions with the company. According to the article, Pirate manager Hudson said, "At this point the only question in my mind is whether the company should be sold in its entirety or split into two pieces and each piece sold to a separate buyer." Word of this question comes after Hudson was able to obtain a seat on the company's board after agreeing to withdraw their proxy contest. Meanwhile, Pirate is still maintaining their 8.5% stake in the company with the additional support of MMI Investments. Combined, these factors make BCO a stock that is definitely worth keeping an eye on!

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Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) shares moved up $1.50, or 2.27%, to $67.66 today after the company announced a $7.5 billion share buyback over the next five years. The company also disclosed a joint venture move to increase their presence in the Asian markets. The move clearly indicates the company's confidence in its future cash flows and earnings growth over the next few years. Moreover, the fact that they completed their previous program more than a year and a half ahead of schedule is definitely a positive indicator. Even after the $1.5 billion per year buyback program, the company should still generate approximately $1.75 billion in spare cash per year with a healthy pension fund. While the company's shares have stalled for almost a year, the buyback and expansion into Asian markets may be enough to propel the stock out of its range to the upside. Combined, these factors make Caterpillar a stock definitely worth watching!

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