Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Surprises Macquarie With KING Acquisition; Macquarie Reiterates Outperform

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) PT Lifted to $40 at UBS on Solid Results and King Deal

UBS analyst Eric Sheridan reiterated a Buy rating and boosted his price target on Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) to $40.00 (from $36.00) following solid results and the KING takeover.

commented, "While ATVI delivered another quarter of upside across revenues, EBITDA and EPS driven... More

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) PT Raised to $44 at Cowen

Cowen Doug Creutz reiterated an Outperform rating and boosted his price target on Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) to $44.00 (from $35.00).

The analyst commented, "After further assessing Activision's Q3 results and the impact of the King deal, we are raising our price target from $35 to $44... More

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Becomes a Leader in Mobile Gaming with King Digital Entertainment (KING) Acquisition; MKM Partners Reiterates Buy

MKM Partners reiterated a Buy rating and $38.00 price target on Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), following the company's announced acquisition of, mobile gaming company, King Digital Entertainment (NYSE: KING). With three new titles slated for release in 2016, including Kings's first midcore game,... More

Activision (ATVI) Lands 'Sweet' Deal with Kind Purchase; MKM Affirms at 'Buy'

MKM is positive on Activision (Nasdaq: ATVI) following news that the company will acquire King Digital.

Analyst Eric Handler noted, The $5.9bn acquisition of King Digital: (1) transforms Activision into a leader in the mobile gaming industry; (2) is significantly accretive; (3) is attractively valued; and (4) is being financed... More

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Surprises Macquarie With KING Acquisition; Macquarie Reiterates Outperform

Macquarie reiterated an Outperform rating on Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), and raised the price target to $36.00 (from $28.00), following the announced acquisition of King Digital Entertainment (NYSE: KING) and 3Q earnings results. Overall, 3Q numbers and commentary were mostly... More

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Moves to Highs Following King Deal

Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) is pushing to the highs of the day as investors appear pleased with the King Digital Entertainment (NYSE: KING) takeover, despite initial skepticism. Shares are up 7.7% to $37.22.

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Moves to Highs Following King Deal

Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) is pushing to the highs of the day as investors appear pleased with the King Digital Entertainment (NYSE: KING) takeover, despite initial skepticism. Shares are up 7.7% to $37.22.

Streetinsider.com's Hot Lunchtime Reads 11/3: (NBG) (ATVI) (HLTH) (SINA)

The following is a list of notable articles to help get you through the lunch hour:National Bank of Greece (NBG) Looks to Unload Finansbank Stake Amid Capital Shortfall ->... More

Streetinsider.com's Hot Lunchtime Reads 11/3: (NBG) (ATVI) (HLTH) (SINA)

The following is a list of notable articles to help get you through the lunch hour:National Bank of Greece (NBG) Looks to Unload Finansbank Stake Amid Capital Shortfall ->... More

Activision's (ATVI) King Acquisition Marks Major Shift - Baird

Colin Sebastian from Baird published an earnings review/King acquisition analysis on Activision (NASDAQ: ATVI) this morning before the open. Strong results and a solid strategic foundation for the acquisition make him believe that guidance will prove to be conservative. No change to rating or EPS estimates. It is... More

Activision's (ATVI) King Acquisition Marks Major Shift - Baird

Colin Sebastian from Baird published an earnings review/King acquisition analysis on Activision (NASDAQ: ATVI) this morning before the open. Strong results and a solid strategic foundation for the acquisition make him believe that guidance will prove to be conservative. No change to rating or EPS estimates. It is... More

Notable Mergers and Acquisitions 11/3: (ATVI)/(KING) (ZTS) (AEO) (BLK)/(BAC)

* Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and King Digital Entertainment plc (NYSE: KING) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which ABS Partners C.V. (ABS Partners), a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, will acquire all of the outstanding shares of King for $18.00 in cash per share, for a total equity value of $5.9 billion. The $18.00 per share purchase price implies a 20% premium over Kings 30 October 2015 closing price, a 26% premium over Kings 30 October 2015 enterprise value (which excludes net cash), a 23% premium over Kings... More

Notable Mergers and Acquisitions 11/3: (ATVI)/(KING) (ZTS) (AEO) (BLK)/(BAC)

* Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and King Digital Entertainment plc (NYSE: KING) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which ABS Partners C.V. (ABS Partners), a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, will acquire all of the outstanding shares of King for $18.00 in cash per share, for a total equity value of $5.9 billion. The $18.00 per share purchase price implies a 20% premium over Kings 30 October 2015 closing price, a 26% premium over Kings 30 October 2015 enterprise value (which excludes net cash), a 23% premium over Kings... More

Pre-Open Stock Movers 11/03: (SALE) (KING) (AEO) Higher; (QLYS) (S) (FIT) Lower (more...)

RetailMeNot (NASDAQ: SALE) 21.3% HIGHER; reported Q3 EPS of $0.12, $0.08 better than the analyst estimate of $0.04. Revenue for the quarter came in at $52.4 million versus the consensus estimate of $48.71 million. RetailMeNot sees FY2015 revenue of $240-242 million, versus the consensus of $236.47... More

Pre-Open Stock Movers 11/03: (SALE) (KING) (AEO) Higher; (QLYS) (S) (FIT) Lower (more...)

RetailMeNot (NASDAQ: SALE) 21.3% HIGHER; reported Q3 EPS of $0.12, $0.08 better than the analyst estimate of $0.04. Revenue for the quarter came in at $52.4 million versus the consensus estimate of $48.71 million. RetailMeNot sees FY2015 revenue of $240-242 million, versus the consensus of $236.47... More

Energy, tech push stocks up; Nasdaq 100 sets record

By Lewis Krauskopf

(Reuters) - Big tech and energy sector gains drove U.S. stocks higher on Tuesday, as an index of 100 major Nasdaq companies finished at a record closing high.

The three major indexes continued a positive start for November, after posting their best monthly performances in four years in October. The Nasdaq 100 index closed up 0.3 percent at 4,719.05, surpassing for the first time levels reached during the dot-com boom in 2000.

The S&P energy sector rose 2.5 percent, its fifth straight daily increase, as crude prices rallied. Oil majors Exxon (NYSE:... More

Energy, tech push stocks up; Nasdaq 100 sets record

By Lewis Krauskopf

(Reuters) - Big tech and energy sector gains drove U.S. stocks higher on Tuesday, as an index of 100 major Nasdaq companies finished at a record closing high.

The three major indexes continued a positive start for November, after posting their best monthly performances in four years in October. The Nasdaq 100 index closed up 0.3 percent at 4,719.05, surpassing for the first time levels reached during the dot-com boom in 2000.

The S&P energy sector rose 2.5 percent, its fifth straight daily increase, as crude prices rallied. Oil majors Exxon (NYSE:... More

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Announces Acquisition of King Digital; Cowen Reiterates Outperform

Cowen reiterated an Outperform rating and $35.00 price target on Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) following the company's announcement that they are buying King Digital. Cowen believes that this deal is an absolute steal for Activision and immediately vaults them to being one of the... More

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Announces Acquisition of King Digital; Cowen Reiterates Outperform

Cowen reiterated an Outperform rating and $35.00 price target on Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) following the company's announcement that they are buying King Digital. Cowen believes that this deal is an absolute steal for Activision and immediately vaults them to being one of the... More

Moody's Upgrades Activision Blizzard's (ATVI) Unsecured Notes Rating to 'Baa3' Amid Move to Acquire King

Moody's Investors Service upgraded Activision Blizzard, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) senior unsecured notes rating to Baa3 from Ba2, upgraded the company's senior secured credit facilities to Baa2 from Baa3, and withdrew the company's Ba1 Corporate Family Rating and Ba1-PD probability of default rating. The upgrade reflects Activision Blizzard's leading position in the growing and fragmented gaming industry, strong diversification across multiple genres and gaming platforms, and strong track record of developing profitable and sustainable franchises with international appeal. The upgrade occurs at the same time the company has announced its agreement to acquire... More

Moody's Upgrades Activision Blizzard's (ATVI) Unsecured Notes Rating to 'Baa3' Amid Move to Acquire King

Moody's Investors Service upgraded Activision Blizzard, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) senior unsecured notes rating to Baa3 from Ba2, upgraded the company's senior secured credit facilities to Baa2 from Baa3, and withdrew the company's Ba1 Corporate Family Rating and Ba1-PD probability of default rating. The upgrade reflects Activision Blizzard's leading position in the growing and fragmented gaming industry, strong diversification across multiple genres and gaming platforms, and strong track record of developing profitable and sustainable franchises with international appeal. The upgrade occurs at the same time the company has announced its agreement to acquire... More

Activision Blizzard buys 'Candy Crush' maker in mobile push

By Eric Auchard and Leila Abboud

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Video game maker Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) will buy "Candy Crush Saga" creator King Digital Entertainment (NYSE: KING) for $5.9 billion, as the heavyweight of console and PC-gaming makes a major push into the faster-growing mobile market.

The deal is one of the biggest in the industry in recent years, more than twice the size of Microsoft Inc's (NASDAQ: MSFT) $2.5 billion purchase of "Minecraft" maker Mojang last year, and the biggest-ever acquisition of a... More

Activision Blizzard buys 'Candy Crush' maker in mobile push

By Eric Auchard and Leila Abboud

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Video game maker Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) will buy "Candy Crush Saga" creator King Digital Entertainment (NYSE: KING) for $5.9 billion, as the heavyweight of console and PC-gaming makes a major push into the faster-growing mobile market.

The deal is one of the biggest in the industry in recent years, more than twice the size of Microsoft Inc's (NASDAQ: MSFT) $2.5 billion purchase of "Minecraft" maker Mojang last year, and the biggest-ever acquisition of a... More

Zynga (ZNGA), Others on Watch Amid Sector Deal

Mobile game makers Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA) and Glu Mobile (NASDAQ: GLUU) will be on watch Tuesday amid news overnight that Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) is acquiring King Digital Entertainment plc (NYSE: KING) for $18.00 in cash per share, for a total equity value of $5.9 billion.

Zynga (ZNGA), Others on Watch Amid Sector Deal

Mobile game makers Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA) and Glu Mobile (NASDAQ: GLUU) will be on watch Tuesday amid news overnight that Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) is acquiring King Digital Entertainment plc (NYSE: KING) for $18.00 in cash per share, for a total equity value of $5.9 billion.

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Tops Q3 EPS by 6c

In addition to announcing plans to acquire King Digital, Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) reported Q3 EPS of $0.21, $0.06 better than the analyst... More

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Tops Q3 EPS by 6c

In addition to announcing plans to acquire King Digital, Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) reported Q3 EPS of $0.21, $0.06 better than the analyst... More

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) to Acquire King Digital (KING) for $5.9 Billion

Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and King Digital Entertainment plc (NYSE: KING) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which ABS Partners C.V. (ABS Partners), a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, will acquire all of the outstanding shares of King for $18.00 in cash per share, for a total equity value of $5.9 billion. The $18.00 per share purchase price implies a 20% premium over Kings 30 October 2015 closing price, a 26% premium over Kings 30 October 2015 enterprise value (which excludes net cash), a 23% premium over Kings one month... More

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) to Acquire King Digital (KING) for $5.9 Billion

Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and King Digital Entertainment plc (NYSE: KING) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which ABS Partners C.V. (ABS Partners), a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, will acquire all of the outstanding shares of King for $18.00 in cash per share, for a total equity value of $5.9 billion. The $18.00 per share purchase price implies a 20% premium over Kings 30 October 2015 closing price, a 26% premium over Kings 30 October 2015 enterprise value (which excludes net cash), a 23% premium over Kings one month... More

Trading Radar for 11/3: Groupon (GRPN), Mosaic (MOS), Kellogg (K), Herbalife (HLF), Zillow (Z) Report

The Trading Radar highlights key earnings and economic announcements for the next trading session:

Before Markets Open:
Earnings:

1-800-FLOWERS.com (Nasdaq: FLWS) - consensus loss $0.26
ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) - consensus EPS $1.00
AMAG Pharma (Nasdaq: AMAG) - consensus EPS $1.21
ANI Pharma (Nasdaq: ANIP) - consensus EPS $0.63
ARIAD Pharma0 (Nasdaq: ARIA) - consensus loss $0.23
Aircastle Limited (NYSE: AYR) - consensus EPS... More

Trading Radar for 11/3: Groupon (GRPN), Mosaic (MOS), Kellogg (K), Herbalife (HLF), Zillow (Z) Report

The Trading Radar highlights key earnings and economic announcements for the next trading session:

Before Markets Open:
Earnings:

1-800-FLOWERS.com (Nasdaq: FLWS) - consensus loss $0.26
ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) - consensus EPS $1.00
AMAG Pharma (Nasdaq: AMAG) - consensus EPS $1.21
ANI Pharma (Nasdaq: ANIP) - consensus EPS $0.63
ARIAD Pharma0 (Nasdaq: ARIA) - consensus loss $0.23
Aircastle Limited (NYSE: AYR) - consensus EPS... More

Activision (ATVI) Continues to Face Tough Comps - Mizuho

Neil Doshi, Interactive Entertainment Analyst from Mizuho published a Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ; ATVI) earnings preview that states the company is likely to beat estimates slightly a slight guide up on new launches and intellectual property.

Doshi is below the street for revenue but above it for EPS at $946M and $0.16 vs. $952M... More

Activision (ATVI) Continues to Face Tough Comps - Mizuho

Neil Doshi, Interactive Entertainment Analyst from Mizuho published a Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ; ATVI) earnings preview that states the company is likely to beat estimates slightly a slight guide up on new launches and intellectual property.

Doshi is below the street for revenue but above it for EPS at $946M and $0.16 vs. $952M... More

BofA/Merrill Lynch Downgrades Activision Blizzard (ATVI) to Neutral

BofA/Merrill Lynch downgraded Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) from Buy to Neutral with a price target of $37. The change is tied to valuation.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Activision Blizzard... More

BofA/Merrill Lynch Downgrades Activision Blizzard (ATVI) to Neutral

BofA/Merrill Lynch downgraded Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) from Buy to Neutral with a price target of $37. The change is tied to valuation.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Activision Blizzard... More