Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Friday March 23, 2012

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Friday March 23, 2012: Hearing Hewlett Packard Offer for Tibco Software The Rumor:
Hewlett Packard HPQ is rumored to be offering $43.50 per share to acquire Tibco Software TIBX, according to sources. Tibco shares have risen steadily since an appearance by CEO Vivek Ranadiv on Jim Cramer's Mad Money on January 11. Shares were trading for just over $23 on that date. A Hewlett Packard spokesperson would not comment on the takeover rumor. A Tibco spokesperson was not available for comment. Tibco Software closed at $31.06 Friday, a gain of 2.51% on 77% of the average daily volume. Hearing Renewed Takeover Chatter in Walter Energy The Rumor:
Walter Energy WLT was once again the subject of takeover chatter Friday. Once again it was Rio Tinto RIO rumored as the buyer for $110 per share. A Walter Energy spokesperson would not comment on the chatter. A Rio Tinto spokesperson was not available. Walter Energy closed at $62.72 Friday, a gain of 3.4% on average volume. Hearing Cowen Negative on Thursday's Chatter Involving Esterline Technologies The Rumor:
Esterline Technologies ESL was mentioned to be the target of three potential bidders, including BAE Systems (BAESY), according to an article in the Guardian on Thursday. On Friday, Cowen was heard to say there were not many buyers that made sense as part of a deal and stated Esterline was probably a good short. Esterline Technologies closed at $75.20 Friday, a gain of 10.15% on almost 7 times the average daily volume. Hearing Synacor Hires Citigroup as Adviser The Rumor:
Synacor SYNC has hired Citigroup as an adviser to explore strategic alternatives, according to sources. Synacor's IPO opened for trading on February 10, trading at $5.75 after pricing at $5.00. A Synacor spokesperson was not available for comment on the Citigroup rumor. Synacor closed at $7.62 Friday, a gain of 3.39% on twice the average daily volume. Hearing Takeover Chatter in Sandridge Energy The Rumor:
Hearing vague takeover chatter in Sandridge Energy SD. No specific buyers were mentioned. There was heavy call buying in Sandridge on Friday and there is large open interest in the January 2013 10 Call (64,994 contracts). A block trade of 13,000 contracts was placed in that call on March 9. A Sandridge Energy spokesperson was not available for comment. Sandridge Energy closed at $8.29 Friday, a gain of 8.65% on more than twice the average daily volume. Hearing Renewed Takeover Chatter in Peabody Energy The Rumor:
Rumors are circulating once again about Peabody Energy BTU being a takeover target. The stock was mentioned on March 15 as being a possible acquisition by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway BRK. Buffett has expressed interest in possibly owning a coal company. A Peabody Energy spokesperson was not available for comment. Peabody Energy closed at $30.19 Friday, a loss of 1.18% on twice the average daily volume.