Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Thursday December 6, 2012

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Thursday December 6, 2012: BHP Could Offer $55/Share for Walter Energy The Rumor:
BHP Billiton BHP could offer $55 per share to acquire Walter Energy WLT, according to the UK Daily Mail. BHP has been mentioned on several occasions as a possible suitor for Walter Energy, going back to May 2012. A source told Benzinga BHP has no interest in Walter Energy. A Walter Energy spokesperson was not available for comment. Walter Energy closed at $33.35 Thursday, a gain of 5% on more than twice average volume. Epoch Holding Corporation to Merge with TD Bank in $668M Deal The Deal:
Epoch Holding Corporation EPHC announced Thursday that it has entered into a merger agreement with TD Bank Group TD. The common stock of Epoch Holding Corporation, the parent of Epoch Investment Partners, Inc., will be acquired by TD Bank Group for cash consideration of approximately $668 million. Epoch stockholders will receive $28.00 in cash per share, representing a premium of approximately 28% to Epoch's closing price on December 5, 2012. Epoch Holding Corporation closed at $27.69 Thursday, a gain of 26% on 169 times average volume. Google Could Buy Tivo in Lieu of Settlement The Rumor:
Google GOOG could acquire Tivo TIVO in lieu of a settlement of their patent dispute, according to a note from Janney. Janney said the Google Premium for TiVo would have to exceed 50%. Spokespersons for Tivo and Google were not available for comment. Tivo closed at $11.98 Thursday, a gain of 3.5% on 1.5 times average volume. Takeover Talks between Best Buy, Founder Schulze Still on Track The Rumor:
Talks between Best Buy BBY and founder Richard Schulze are still on track, according to Deal Reporter. According to a source, the financing plan developed by Credit Suisse, would emerge imminently. Best Buy closed at $12.36 on Thursday, a gain of 2% on higher than average volume. Hearing Chatter Hillshire Attracting Takeover Interest The Rumor:
Hillshire Brands HSH could receive bids from Tyson Foods TSN and Hormel HRL, according to Deal Reporter. A spokesperson for Hillshire Brands was not available for comment. Hillshire Brands closed at $28.30 Thursday, a gain of $0.37 on 1.5 times average volume. MetroPCS CFO Says T-Mobile Deal to be Completed in FH 2013 The Deal:
MetroPCS PCS CFO Braxton Carter said the MetroPCS merger with Deutsche Telekom's DTEGY T-Mobile is on track to be completed in the first half of 2013, according to Bloomberg. A rumored counterbid from Sprint S has not materialized. MetroPCS closed at $10.37 Thursday, a gain of $0.27 on lower than average volume. Hearing Renewed Takeover Chatter in Starwood Hotels The Rumor:
Starwood Hotels HOT was the subject of renewed takeover chatter on Thursday. According to sources, a Singapore pension fund has approached Starwood with a $70 per share offer. The same rumor has been reported several times since February 2012. A spokesperson for Starwood was not available for comment. Starwood Hotels closed at $54.13 Thursday, a gain of 2% on average volume.