General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) shares rallied $0.99, or 2.76%, to $36.84 today after Citigroup (NYSE:C) analysts recommended that the company spinoff NBC Universal, GE Money and the real estate division. The analysts suggested that GE's size and complexity is working against investors in the stock and has contributed to further value erosion. The move by Citigroup analysts follows similar suggestions from other analysts during the past few weeks. An analyst from Prudential Equity Group Inc. even suggested that Google (NDAQ:GOOG) may be interested in acquiring its NBC Universal division to compliment its YouTube media offerings.

Just how much could this move yield for investors? Well, some analysts like Jeffrey Sprague from Citigroup are pegging the breakup value at around $46 per share. Moreover, streamlining the company's operations would help give investors a greater understanding of the company and perhaps enable it to command a premium instead of trade at a discount. Clearly, these moves also have widespread support from the company's shareholder base who expressed concerns about the company's valuation at the last annual meeting. Whether or not the company heeds this advice remains to be seen, however, this is definitely a stock to watch in the meantime!

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ABN Amro Holding (NYSE:ABN) shares moved up $0.55, or 1.11%, to $50.08 today after a consortium led by the Royal Bank of Scotland said it would go ahead with plans to launch a hostile bid for the company in a move aimed at breaking up the friendly existing bid by Barclay's Bank. "The banks continue to believe that their proposals offer materially higher value for ABN Amro's shareholders and benefits to customers and employees compared with the recommended offer from Barclays," the banks said in a joint statement. Obviously, shareholders are also interested in seeing this new offer. The Children's Investment Fund - the activist hedge fund that owns 2% of ABN Amro and originally called for the breakup - welcomed the consortium's plan and described it as "compelling." Whether or not the board of directors agrees to review this new bid remains to be seen; however, this is definitely a stock to keep an eye on in case a bidding war breaks out.

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Applebees International Inc. (NDAQ:APPB) shares rose $1, or 3.89%, to $26.84 today after the company announced that it has received preliminary takeover offers and would begin a second round of due diligence with bidders before taking final offers. The company also said that it was exploring a recapitalization of the company as a possible alternative to a buyout. The moves come after Applebees settled with dissident shareholders Richard Breeden and his Breeden Capital Management LLC who threatened a proxy fight over board seats. As part of their settlement, the company agreed to explore strategic alternatives back in February. We covered this story in several past articles that outline the hedge funds problems and recommendations for changes at the company.

Now that the company has potential bidders on its doorstep, we can assume that it comes in at a premium higher than the current share price. After all, Applebees is a national chain that both financial and strategic buyers may be interested in turning around. The company was quick to note, however, that it was too early to comment on the likelihood or value of a recapitalization or sale, saying that there was no guarantee that a transaction would occur. Regardless, this is definitely a stock to watch as the company explores its options!

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