By Larry C. Paxton
For November a major breaking news stream was AMR Corporation emerging from taxiing down the long runway of bankruptcy, getting the go ahead from the tower(aka the US government) to complete the merger with US Airways, and now we are all waiting for the December 9th takeoff of the new entity known as the American Airlines Group. Controversies remain. It will be interesting to see how the C-level pilots handle some of the inevitable rough weather ahead, the effect on other carriers and supporting industries, and the impact on travelers. As for me, I hope they decrease prices but also increase the amount of legroom and seat width in the economy cabins. Maybe I should be happy if either one happens.
The many news items with links to the articles and press releases on this and the other The PBR1000 members are below.
But first here’s a recap of some stock indices and commodity prices at the month end closing on Friday, November 29:
– The Dow Jones Industrial Average: 16,086.41, up 3.5% from 10/31/13, and up 22.8% from 12/31/12.
– NASDAQ: 4,059.89, up 4.1% from 10/31/13, and up 34.5% from 12/31/12.
– S&P 500: 1,805.81, up 2.8% from 10/31/13, and up 26.6% from 12/31/12.
– Gold: 1,250.40, down 5.6% from 10/31/13, and down 25.7% from 12/31/12.
– Silver: 20.03, down 8.6% from 10/31/13, and down 34.0% from 12/31/12.
– Oil: 92.72, down 4.1% from 10/31/13, and down 1.0% from 12/31/12.
Here are the news items PBRMarketTools tracked during November:
Thursday, November 28, 2013:
Archer Daniels Midland’s(PBR27) $3.4 billion bid for GrainCorp is prohibited by Australia’s Treasurer. Click here for ADM’s comment.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013:
AMR Corp(PBR109) settles bankruptcy suit, reorganization plan & merger with US Airways(PBR189) as American Airlines Group to be completed on 12/09/13. Click here for the AMR press release.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013:
CVS Caremark(PBR13) is buying Apria Healthcare Group’s specialty infusion services & enteral nutrition business unit Coram LLC for $2.1 billion. Click here for the CVS press release.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013:
NASDAQ breaks through the 4,000 mark, closes at 4,017.75, up 2.5% month-to-date(3,919.71 on 10/31/13), and up 33.1% year-to-date(3,019.51 on 12/31/12).
Tuesday, November 26, 2013:
Aeropostale(PBR781) adopts a limited term stockholder rights plan to avoid a potential coercive or abusive takeover attempt. Click here for the Aeropostale press release.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013:
The Carlyle Group(PBR663) is acquiring Toronto, Canada, based global hedge fund manager Diversified Global Asset Management Corporation, which has $6.7 billion in managed & advised assets. Click here for the Carlyle press release.
Monday, November 25, 2013:
Aetna Inc(PBR80) to acquire 65,000 worldwide medical members UK based InterGlobal Group. Click here for the Aetna press release.
Monday, November 25, 2013:
The Carlyle Group(PBR663) closed its Carlyle Partners VI fund with $13 billion for US corporate buyouts & strategic minority investments in 6 industries. Click here for the Carlyle press release.
Monday, November 25, 2013:
Walmart Stores(PBR2) elects Doug McMillon to become CEO on 02/01/14. Click here for the Walmart announcement.
Friday, November 22, 2013:
The S&P500 closes at a record high of $1,804.76, up 26.54% year-to-date(from 1,426.19 on 12/31/12).
Friday, November 22, 2013:
J.C. Penney Co(PBR152) is moving from the S&P500 to the S&P MidCap 400 on 11/29/13. Click here for the S&P Dow Jones Indices article.
Friday, November 22, 2013:
Bloomberg News reports that Charter Communications(PBR323) & Comcast(PBR44) are considering a joint bid for Time Warner Cable(PBR124). Click here for the Bloomberg article.
Thursday, November 21, 2013:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes at a record $16,009.99, up 22.18% year-to-date(from 13,104.14 on 12/31/13).
Thursday, November 21, 2013:
Reuters reports US jury awards Apple, Inc(PBR6) $290 million in retrial against Samsung. Click here for the Reuters article.
Thursday, November 21, 2013:
KKR’s(PBR259) Asset Management unit is acquiring LBO France’s Winoa Group, a worldwide provider of abrasion & cutting technologies for the metal & stone industries. Click here for the KKR press release.
Thursday, November 21, 2013:
Reuters reports US Treasury to sell stock in General Motors(PBR7) by year end. Click here for the Reuters article.
Thursday, November 21, 2013:
Hologic, Inc(PBR871) adopts 1 year stockholder rights plan upon hearing that a Carl Icahn unit is acquiring a stake in the company. Click here for the Hologic press release.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013:
Today PBRMarketTools released The PBR1000 4th Quarter Rankings Report to the general public. Click here for the PBRMarketTools blog post summarizing some observations as we near the end of the year.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013:
The Carlyle Group(PBR663) announced the selling of its German based software developer P&I Personal & Informatik AG to HgCapital by year end. Click here for Carlyle’s press release.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013:
Boeing Co(PBR31) announces $101.5 billion in commitments from Dubai Airshow. Click here for Boeing’s press release.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013:
Devon Energy Corp(PBR269) is acquiring the Eagle Ford assets of GeoSouthern Energy for $6 billion. Click here for the Devon Energy press release.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013:
Johnson & Johnson’s(PBR40) DePuy unit agrees to $2.5 billion settlement for ASR hip systems issues. Click here for Johnson & Johnson’s press release.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013:
US Dept of Justice reports that Sysco(PBR64) unit FreshPoint Inc to pay $4.2 million for overbilling the Dept of Defense for produce. Click here for the USDOJ announcement.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013:
JPMorgan Chase & Co(PBR18) agrees to $13 billion settlement on bad residential mortgage backed securities. Click here for the JPMorgan press release.
Monday, November 18, 2013:
The Washington Post Co(PBR545) changing name to Graham Holdings Company effective 11/29/13, stock symbol GHC. Click here for The Washington Post press release.
Friday, November 15, 2013:
Forbes reports on BerkshireHathaway’s(PBR5) end of 3rd quarter holdings. Click here for the Forbes article.
Friday, November 15, 2013:
JPMorgan Chase & Co(PBR18) agrees to $4.5 billion settlement with 21 institutional investors. Click here for the JPMorgan announcement.
Friday, November 15, 2013:
Pershing Square acquires 10% share in Freddie Mac(PBR32) & Fannie Mae(PBR11) stocks. Click here for the Reuter’s article.
Friday, November 15, 2013:
AMR Corp(PBR109) to be renamed American Airlines Group Inc, trade on NASDAQ, symbol AAL. Click here for the AMR press release.
Thursday, November 14, 2013:
The US International trade deficit was $41.8 billion in September. Click here for the press release from The Bureau of Economic Affairs.
Thursday, November 14, 2013:
Lockheed Martin Corp(PBR59) to close some US facilities, reduce workforce by 4,000. Click here for Lockheed’s press release.
Thursday, November 14, 2013:
ABM Industries(PBR510) launching a Healthcare Support Business unit. Click here for ABM’s press release.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013:
Juniper Networks(PBR503) announces that Shaygan Kheradpir will become CEO effective 01/01/14, current CEO Kevin Johnson will remain on board. Click here for Juniper’s press release.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013:
Procter & Gamble(PBR29) announce reorganization, some long time key management retiring. Click here for P&G’s press release.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013:
The Goldman Sachs Group(PBR67) names its Managing Directors for 2014. Click here for the Goldman Sachs press release.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013:
Omnicom Group’s(PBR183) Ketchum unit is acquiring Singapore based ICON International Communications. Click here for Omnicom’s press release.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013:
Starbucks Corp(PBR195) agrees to arbitration suit, to pay Kraft, now Mondelez International(PBR84), $2.76 billion. Click here for the Starbucks press release.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013:
Patriot Coal Corp(PBR890) secures $200 million letter of credit, also preparing for $250 million term loan & a $125 million asset-backed revolving loan. Click here for the Patriot Coal press release.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013:
Roland C. Smith is appointed Chairman/CEO of the new Office Depot(PBR235). Click here for the Office Depot press release.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013:
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc(PBR434) acquires $500 million secured line of credit. Click here for AMD’s press release.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013:
The US Department of Justice agrees that the AMR Corp(PBR109) & US Airways(PBR189) can merge based on meeting certain conditions. Click here for the transcript of the DOJ press conference announcing the agreement & details of the conditions.
Monday, November 11, 2013:
Amazon.com(PBR47) & the USPS to work together to deliver packages in select cities on Sundays. Click here for Amazon’s press release.
Monday, November 11, 2013:
KKR & Co(PBR259) is acquiring landscaper & snow removal company the Brickman Group for $1.6 billion. Click here for KKR’s announcement.
Monday, November 11, 2013:
T-Mobile US(PBR449) to sell 66+ million shares to buy additional wireless airwaves. Click here for the T-Mobile US press release.
Monday, November 11, 2013:
PepsiCo(PBR43) announced that they and their partners plan to invest $5.5 billion in India through 2020. Click here for PepsiCo’s press release.
Friday, November 8, 2013:
IntercontinentalExchange Inc(PBR1013) to complete its acquisition of NYSE Euronext(PBR571) on 11/13/13. Click here for the IntercontinentalExchange press release.
Thursday, November 7, 2013:
AES Corp(PBR144) provides update on 21 international asset sales totaling $1.4 billion, including Cameroon operations. Click here for the AES press release.
Thursday, November 7, 2013:
The Carlyle Group(PBR663) completes it acquisition of its 11th power generating facility, 823 megawatt Red Oak Power in Sayreville, NJ. Click here for the Carlyle press release.
Thursday, November 7, 2013:
Priceline.com(PBR441) announced that Darren Huston, CEO of wholly owned subsidiary Booking.com, will become President/CEO effective 01/01/14. Jeffrey Boyd currently holds those positions, will remain as Chairman. Click here for Priceline’s press release.
Thursday, November 7, 2013:
Toll Brothers, Inc(PBR903) is acquiring California private land developer & homebuilder Shapell Industries, Inc. for $1.60 billion cash. Click here for Toll Brothers’ press release.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013:
DISH Network Corp(PBR181) announces that it is closing down its 300 US owned BlockBuster video rental stores & DVD by mail services by January, 2014. US & foreign franchised & licensed locations to remain open. Click here for DISH’s press release.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013:
General Motors Co(PBR7) opens its online car buying service to its dealers. Click here for GM’s press release.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013:
Court authorizes Patriot Coal(PBR890) to solicit creditor approval for its reorganization plan. Click here for Patriot Coal’s announcement.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013:
Ford Motor Co(PBR10) announces several senior management changes. Click here for Ford’s announcement, includes hotlinks to bios..
Tuesday, November 5, 2013:
The LoyaltyOne unit of Alliance Data Systems Corp(PBR584) is acquiring a 60% stake in Netherland’s based BrandLoyalty($400 million/2012). Click here for Alliance Data’s announcement.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013:
OfficeMax(PBR349) & Office Depot(PBR235) complete merger, new company is Office Depot, Inc.(NYSE: ODP). Click here for the press release.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013:
Endo Health Solutions(PBR650) to acquire Canadian based specialty pharmaceutical company Paladin Labs Inc(TSX: PLB) for $1.6 billion, both to be then acquired by Irish based holding company New Endo. Click here for Endo’s press release.
Monday, November 4, 2013:
Weyerhaeuser Company(PBR344) is transferring its homebuilding & real estate development business to Tri Pointe Homes(NYSE: TPH) in a transaction valued at $2.7 billion. Expected to close during 2nd quarter, 2014. Click here for Weyerhaeuser’s press release.
Monday, November 4, 2013:
Johnson & Johnson(PBR40) agrees to pay $2.2 billion in fines for FDA violations. Click here for the US Dept of Justice announcement.
Monday, November 4, 2013:
Alliant Techsystems Inc(PBR484) completes acquisition of sporting goods company Bushnell Group Holdings for $985 million. Click here for the Alliant Techsystems press release.
Monday, November 4, 2013:
The Carlyle Group(PBR663) completed its acquisition of $2.6 billion in capital commitments Metropolitan Real Estate Equity Management. Click here for the Carlyle press release.
Monday, November 4, 2013:
Allegheny Technologies Inc(PBR460) completes the sale of its tungsten unit to Kennametal Inc(PBR706) for $605 million. Click here for Allegheny’s press release.
Friday, November 1, 2013:
The Omnicom Group Inc(PBR183) & Publicis Groupe SA(Paris, France) merger waiting period in the US has passed with no objections, only a few global regulatory approvals remain. Click here for Omnicom’s press release.
Friday, November 1, 2013:
The US FTC has cleared the merger of equals of OfficeMax, Inc(PBR349) & Office Depot, Inc(PBR235), expected to close on 11/05/13. Click here for the OfficeMax press release.
Friday, November 1, 2013:
Today Hess Corporation(PBR72) completed the sale of its Energy Marketing business to North America subsidiary Direct Energy of Centrica plc for $1.2 billion. Click here for the Hess press release.
Friday, November 1, 2013:
Airgas, Inc(PBR478) completes its acquisition of privately held Encompass Gas Group & its 11 locations. Click here for the Airgas press release.
Let’s see what kinds of surprises business Santa has for us in December.
Have a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season!
(The purpose of The PBR1000 is to provide a wide range of interested people with key demographic, industry, financial, personnel, and comments/news briefs on over 1,000 publicly traded companies with principal offices in the US. This information is updated quarterly and published in Excel format as The PBR1000 Quarterly Rankings Report. During a quarter several supplementary reports are published as well.
Larry C. Paxton is the President/CEO of Pax Business Resources, LLC. PBRMarketTools is the marketing research unit. For several years Larry has worked for and provided products and services to The PBR1000 companies.)
