Paul Ausick

Recent Articles

Are Ag Stocks and Agribusiness Stocks Taking a Breather?

By Paul Ausick

When BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE:BHP) made its $38.6 billion offer for Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. (NYSE: POT) recently at the same time wheat prices hit new highs, agribusiness and ag stocks got a lot of attention. Unfortunately, not all ag stocks got a price boost and not all are looking up.

Dollar General (DG) Improved Outlook Still Lower Than Expected

By Paul Ausick

Dollar General Corp. (NYSE: DG) reported earnings today, proving again that low-price retail stores continue to have their day in the sun. Dollar General’s second fiscal quarter earnings were $0.41 on revenue of $3.21 billion. Excluding a one time charge of $6.4 million, the company posted EPS of $0.42. Analysts on average expected EPS of $0.38 on revenue of $3.22 billion.

Genzyme (GENZ) Holding Out for Bigger Buyout

By Paul Ausick

As much as 20% of the patented drug portfolio of Sanofi-Aventis SA (NYSE: SNY) will fall off the so-called "patent cliff" by 2013, and the French company is trying to do something about it. The company has spent about $17 billion on acquisitions in the past few years, and has now publicly announced a $69/share cash offer for Genzyme Corp. (NASDAQ: GENZ). The total value of the offer is $18.5 billion.

Intel and Infineon Deal Part of Move to Smartphone Market

By Paul Ausick

Intel has acquired the wireless chip unit of Infineon Technologies AG (OTC: IFNNY) for about $1.4 billion. Intel's own Atom microprocessor, the brains of most netbook devices currently on the market, has not lent itself well to downsizing for the smartphone market.

Does Cisco (CSCO) Really Want to Buy Skype?

By Paul Ausick

Rumors abound that Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) plans to make an offer to acquire Skype in an effort to short-circuit Skype's planned IPO. Ebay, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) sold 70% of Skype to a group of private investors led by Silver Lake Partners in November 2009 after the auction site couldn't figure out a way to make money with the VoIP service.

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