posted by Chris Kaufman on Oct 29
A string of Yahoo sales, engineering and product executives took the stage on Wednesday in the company’s first full-day briefing with analysts since May 2006, all with a mantra that came down from on high: “Today is the beginning of a journey back to respect,” said CEO Carol Bartz.
With page views increasing, Carl Icahn having drawn in his horns, and the company extending a deadline for finalizing a search agreement with Microsoft, the time was right for a love-in.
Finance Chief Tim Morse said Yahoo expects to achieve operating margins between 15 percent and 20 percent by 2012. After the third quarter’s “pathetic” 6 percent, shareholders would certainly consider that a more respectful performance.
Another way to show their respect would have been to give specific details on the engineering involved in the promised prestige. Executives said Yahoo would achieve the new margin targets by accelerating its revenue in the next few years, but demurred from providing a specific revenue growth target.
The company said it would invest in editorial staff to produce more original features, and tweak its online products to keep users on the site longer and boost advertising revenue.
Hiring more staff and investing in ad search wizardry will certainly add to costs, so the need for a little more Internet alchemy could require a leap of faith to engineer the recovery in esteem Yahoo hopes to achieve.
posted by Quentin Webb on Oct 29
Blackstone Group (BX.N) talks to lenders about cutting up to $5 billion of debt held by its Hilton Hotels chain; National Express (NEX.L) ends talks over a possible merger with rival British bus and rail group Stagecoach (SGC.L); and the U.S. IT services sector occupies a sweet spot for M&A. Plus, will Obama’s upcoming trip to China be marked by a deal between Disney and Shanghai?
For more on these stories, and all the rest of the latest deal-related news from Reuters, click here.
And here’s some picks from the papers (some external links may require subscriptions):
Global miner Rio Tinto (RIO.AX) is looking to mend relations with Chinese metals firm Chinalco by making a joint investment in Mongolia’s Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine project, the Sydney Morning Herald says.
UK law firm Lovells is discussing a potential tie-up with Washington-based Hogan & Hartson, several newspapers report. WSJ story here.
Private equity group MGPA is in the final round of talks to acquire Land Improvement Holdings for 90 million pounds, the Financial Times says.
The London Stock Exchange (LSE.L) and shareholders in trading platform Turquoise are expected to reach a deal within two weeks which will result in a new joint venture, the Financial Times says.
posted by Yahoo! News Search Results for dividends on Oct 29
A few heads turned in 2007 when, hit by injuries and defections on the offensive line, Penn State si
posted by Yahoo! News Search Results for dividends on Oct 29
TOKYO----The Board of Directors of OMRON Corporation today resolved to pay an interim dividend from retained earnings of 7.00 yen for fiscal 2009 . 1. Interim Dividend Breakdown FY2009 interimdividend Previous forecast FY2008 interimdividend Term ending September 30, 2009 September 30, 2009 September 30, 2008 Dividend per share 7.00 yen Undecided 18.00 yen Total dividends JPY 1,541 million ? JPY ...
posted by Yahoo! News Search Results for dividends on Oct 29
GMAC, which was owned by private equity gambling firm Cerberus (which is run by former Goldman dudes and even Dan Quayle), used to be the lending and banking and gambling arm of GM. The company was founded in 1919 to help finance cars for buyers of the GM brand.
posted by Yahoo! News Search Results for dividends on Oct 29
SHAH ALAM: In a move read by some as a reaction to Maxis Bhd’s impending listing, DiGi.Com Bhd said it will pay out at least 80% of its net earnings as dividends from next year onwards. This bri...
posted by Yahoo! News Search Results for dividends on Oct 28
SHAH ALAM: In a move read by some as a reaction to Maxis Bhd's impending listing, DiGi.Com Bhd said it will pay out at least 80% of its net earnings as dividends from next year onwards. This brings its dividends payout policy – from 50% cur...
posted by Yahoo! News Search Results for dividends on Oct 28
DAYTON, Ohio----The Board of Directors of DPL Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of $0.285 per share payable December 1, 2009 to common shareholders of record on November 13, 2009. The announced quarterly dividend continues the annualized rate of $1.14 per share.
posted by Yahoo! News Search Results for dividends on Oct 28
McLEAN, VA. and NEW YORK: McGraw-Hill and Gannett both declared quarterly dividends today.
posted by Victoria Howley on Oct 28
In these times of banking bailouts and gloomy results, it’s refreshing to read about a firm that is bucking the trend. Nomura Holdings Inc unveiled its biggest profit in nine quarters on Wednesday, suggesting that its push into overseas bond and equity markets is paying off.
But as Sadeq Sayeed, chief executive for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, told reporters on a conference call, it doesn’t take much to get clients to transact with an investment bank. “They will trade with you if you provide them with systems, prices, liquidity and clear and careful settlements,” he said.
Nomura’s mergers and acquisitions business is expected to take longer to mature. “The fact that we are even in the top 12 (for European M&A) is quite remarkable given that we were essentially a start up in the investment banking world as of January this year,” Sayeed added.
And his ambitions for the M&A team this time next year? He wants the bank to be the very best when it comes to business related to Asia and cross-border M&A in its chosen sectors.
For a glimpse into Nomura’s thinking about the US, have a look at the story I wrote earlier.
