Topic: How To Invest

What is Pat's commentary for the week of February 7, 2012?

Article Excerpt

Another week, another takeover! After last week’s surprise takeover of Gennum Corp.—which gave us a one-day, 119% gain—it was particularly gratifying to report that directors of RuggedCom Inc. (Toronto symbol RCM) had agreed to a takeover at $33 cash per share. RuggedCom, a recommendation of our Stock Pickers Digest newsletter, first became the subject of a takeover offer—for $22 cash per share—on December 19 of last year. In one day, it shot up from $14 to $23 in response. The company’s directors felt this bid was too low, and the stock crept up to $26 while they sought a better offer. The stock shot up to just under $33 on news of the latest bid, from Siemens of Germany. Takeovers may be more common than usual this year. Stock prices are reasonable in relation to asset values, economic statistics are improving, and many companies have plenty of cash to invest. For would-be acquirers that are short of cash, interest rates are historically…