For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 11, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Microsoft (MSFT), Ford Motor Co. (F), AT&T (T), Kraft Foods (KFT) and Best Buy Co. (BBY).

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Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Microsoft Sells Razorfish

Yesterday, Microsoft (MSFT) announced the sale of Razorfish, the digital advertising firm it received as part of the aQuantive acquisition in 2007. The consideration to be paid by Publicis Group, the acquirer, is around $530 million, partly in the form of cash and

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Yesterday, Microsoft (MSFT) announced the sale of Razorfish, the digital advertising firm it received as part of the aQuantive acquisition in 2007. The consideration to be paid by Publicis Group, the acquirer, is around $530 million, partly in the form of cash and partly in 6.5 million Publicis Groupe treasury shares.   The agreement creates a win-win situation. Publicis Groupe gets to acquire a digital advertising company, which effectively transforms a quarter of its business to the digital model. With Internet usage increasing the world over, digital advertising is assuming increasing importance in today’s world. The price is also reasonable, given that the company generated around $400 million in revenues in 2008, and is expected to generate $360-370 million in 2009. The revenue decline is recession-related and does not indicate loss of position at customers. In fact, Razorfish’s customer base is another positive, as the company serves ...

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (COKE) Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and distribution of carbonated nonalcoholic beverages, primarily products of The Coca-Cola Company. Web Site: http://www.cokebottling.com

 

Smithfield Foods Inc. (SFD) Smithfield Foods, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and marketing of fresh meat and packaged meat products in the United States and internationally Web Site: http://www.smithfieldfoods.com

Recent News: Smithfield Foods prices $225M in senior notes

Advantest Corp. (ATE) Advantest Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of semiconductor and component test system, and mechatronics products. Web Site: http://www.advantest.co.jp

Recent News: Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857, NYSE: ATE) today announced availability of its new PC-mounted board network analyzer, the R3760, for evaluation of the frequency characteristics of antennas and filters used in a broad range of portable wireless devices.

PUNCH TAVERNS ORD (PUB) Publicis Groupe S.A. (Publicis)

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Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is reportedly looking to unload its digital advertising agency Razorfish and has hired Morgan Stanley for that purpose.

The report by the Financial Times on Sunday also said that French marketing company Publicis Groupe SA could emerge as a possible bidder.

The FT stated that an analyst has valued the agency at $600 million to $700 million based on last-year's revenue of $400 million and profit margins for similar businesses of 12% to 13%.

Microsoft acquired Razorfish in 2007 as part of its $6 billion takeover of aQuantive.

The Seattle-based digital agency has more than 2,000 employees and boasts of a client list, which includes AT&T Inc. (T), McDonald's Corp. (MCD) and NIKE Inc. (NKE).

MSFT, a Zacks #3 Rank ("Hold") stock, have gained nearly 2% on lower-than-usual volume of approximately 40 million, against the average daily volume of about 64.1 million.

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