Topic: Growth Stocks

The Wall Street Stock Forecaster Hotline – Friday, June 1, 2007

Article Excerpt

AVAYA INC. $16.08, New York symbol AV, moved up by more than $2 this week on rumors that it’s talking with other telecommunication equipment firms about a merger. It may also be negotiating with private investors. Avaya has no controlling stockholder, and its patents and strong position in the fast-growing Internet-based phone network market should make it an attractive takeover target. Avaya is debt free and has cash of $1.84 a share, which adds to its appeal. Avaya is now a hold. WACHOVIA CORP. $54.51, New York symbol WB, has agreed to buy brokerage firm A.G. Edwards Inc. for $6.8 billion in cash and stock. The merger will make Wachovia the second-largest retail brokerage firm in the United States after Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., with 15,000 advisors and $1.1 trillion in assets under management. The price is equal to 88% of the $7.75 billion or $4.61 a share that Wachovia earned in 2006. The company feels it can find annual savings of $395…