Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Wednesday February 8, 2012

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Wednesday February 8, 2012: Akamai Acquires Blaze The Deal: Akamai Technologies AKAM announced Wednesday that it has acquired Blaze Software in a cash transaction. The acquisition is expected to complement Akamai's market-leading site acceleration solutions with technology designed to optimize the speed at which a web page is rendered, regardless of end user device. Akamai shares closed at $34.44, a gain of 2.35% on more than twice the average daily volume. After hours Akamai reported better than expected earnings and traded over $39.00. Samsung to Acquire Micron Technology The Rumor: Korean technology giant Samsung to acquire Micron Technology MU for $13.50, according to sources. On February 3, Micron lost its CEO, Steve Appleton, in a plane crash. A spokesperson for Micron would not comment on the rumor. Micron Technology closed at $8.16, a gain of 3.68% for the day on 1.35 times the average daily volume. Amazon to Acquire Research in Motion The Rumor:
Amazon AMZN to acquire Research in Motion RIMM for $25 per share, according to sources. There have been many rumors involving a Research in Motion in recent months. Vodaphone was the most recent rumored buyer at $22. A spokesperson for Amazon would not comment on the Research in Motion takeover rumor, while a RIMM spokesperson could not be reached for comment. Research in Motion closed at $16.49, a loss of 1.32% for the day on 70% of the average daily volume. BHP Billiton to Acquire Alcoa The Rumor:
BHP Billiton BHP to acquire Alcoa AA for $16 per share or more. A spokesperson for Alcoa would not comment on the rumor. A BHP Billiton spokesperson could not be reached for comment.- Alcoa closed at $10.67 Wednesday, no change for the day on just under the average daily volume. Bristol-Meyers Squibb to Acquire Vertex Pharmaceuticals The Rumor:
Bristol-Meyers Squibb BMY to acquire Vertex Pharmaceuticals VRTX for $50 per share, according to sources. Vertex has been the subject of recent takeover rumors as the acquirer of Achillion Pharmaceuticals ACHN. A spokesperson for Vertex would not comment on the chatter. A Bristol-Meyers spokesperson could not be reached for comment. Vertex closed at $36.78 Wednesday, a loss of 2.15% for the day on 80% of the average daily volume. Pershing Square/Bill Ackman Pushing Radio Shack for a Sale The Rumor:
Investor Bill Ackman of Pershing Square is pushing Radio Shack RSH to find a buyer for the company, according to reports. A spokesperson for Radio Shack would not comment to Benzinga on the report. Radio Shack closed at $7.51 Wednesday, a gain of 3.3% for the day on almost twice the average volume. American Airlines Creditors Want to Explore Merger with US Airways The Rumor:
Creditors for AMR Corp (AAMRQ) want American Airlines to explore a merger with US Airways or another carrier, according to an exclusive Reuters story. Creditors include banks, employees and vendors. US Airways has already indicated it is considering a bid for AMR. AMR Corp closed at $0.64 Wednesday, a loss of 0.85% for the day on 10% of the average daily volume. Cellcom in Talks to Sell Netwise The Rumor:
Cellcom Israel CEL is in talks to sell subsidiary Netwise Applications to Matrix IT Ltd, according to Globes. Cellcom Israel closed at $15.37 Wednesday, a gain of 1.86% for the day on average volume.