Archive for August, 2011

Global Traffic Network Inc. (GNET) takes flight on takeover bid

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Shares of Global Traffic Network Inc. (Nasdaq: GNET) rose 19.5% to $13.95 after the provider of personalized news information agreed to be purchased by private-equity firm GTCR LLC. Volume for the stock Wednesday was well in excess of two million shares, trouncing a daily average of less than 131,000.

A news release issued August 3 revealed that the Toronto-based company, a leading provider of custom traffic and news reports to radio and television stations outside the United States, announced the proposed takeover.

Under the terms of the agreement, Global stockholders will receive $14.00 in cash for each share of Global’s common stock, which represents approximately a 20% premium over the closing price on Tuesday, August 2, and a 22.7% premium based on the 60-day volume weighted average price of $11.41.

The Company operates the largest traffic and news network in Australia, operates traffic networks in eight Canadian markets and the largest national radio traffic network across the United Kingdom. In exchange for providing custom traffic and news reports, television and radio stations provide Global Traffic Network with commercial airtime inventory that the Company sells to advertisers. As a result, radio and television stations incur no out-of-pocket costs when contracting to use Global Traffic Network’s services.

Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) strengthens on announcing solid bottom line

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) shares climbed 7.5% to $59.68 after the nutritional-supplement seller projected third-quarter earnings that exceeded analysts’ estimates. Volume for the stock amounted to 6.2 million shares, towering over an all-day average of 1.8 million.

A news release out August 1 announced that second quarter net sales increased 27.7% and local currency net sales increased 19.9% compared to the same time period in 2010. Net income for the quarter of $111.2 million, or $0.88 per diluted share compares to 2010 second-quarter net income and EPS of $82.2 million and $0.65, respectively.

“We believe that we are just getting started,” the release quoted Michael O. Johnson, Herbalife CEO. “Eight consecutive quarters of growth in the average number of sales leaders ordering illustrates the engagement of the distributors and the strong foundation being built as Herbalife helps consumers tackle the global issues of obesity.”

For the quarter ended June 30, 2011, the company generated cash flow from operations of $142.7 million, an increase of 71.5% compared to the second quarter 2010, paid dividends of $23.9 million, invested $16.1 million in capital expenditures, and repurchased $98.8 million in common shares related to its share repurchase program.

Based in Los Angeles, Herbalife Ltd. is a global network marketing company that sells weight-management, nutrition, and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle.

Radian Group Inc. (NYSE: RDN) collects black ink, stock spikes

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Radian Group Inc. (NYSE: RDN) shares jumped 25% to $3.85 after the mortgage insurer reported swinging to a profit in the second quarter. Volume for the stock closed in on 7.5 million shares by 11 a.m. ET, towering over an all-day average of below four million.

The company put out a news release August 2, announcing that net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 was $137.1 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, which included combined gains from the change in fair value of derivatives and other financial instruments of $193.8 million. This compares to a net loss of $475.1 million, or $4.31 per diluted share, for the prior-year quarter, which included combined net losses from the change in fair value of derivatives and other financial instruments of $587.8 million. Book value per share at June 30, 2011, was $8.48.

In the same release, Radian CEO S.A. Ibrahim noted, “As we face an uncertain U.S. economy and housing market, we believe that Radians risk-to-capital ratio of 19.8 to 1 and the financial flexibility of our holding company cash position provide a competitive advantage for our mortgage insurance business. We were pleased with the continued drop in mortgage insurance delinquencies in the quarter and another period of operating profitability for our financial guaranty business.”

Radian Group Inc., headquartered in Philadelphia, provides private mortgage insurance and related risk mitigation products and services to mortgage lenders nationwide through its principal operating subsidiary, Radian Guaranty Inc. These services help promote and preserve homeownership opportunities for homebuyers, while protecting lenders from default-related losses on residential first mortgages and facilitating the sale of low-down-payment mortgages in the secondary market.