Through The Fly's Eyes: Monster Worldwide

from Laurie Pasternack of Theflyonthewall.com





The Monster That Wouldn't Be Taken Over. Yet.

For months now, there has been endless speculation in the market that Monster Worldwide (MNST) would be taken over. In the past days, including today, and weeks, rumors are coming fast and furious. Thanks to the recent appointments of CEO Sal Ianuzzi and CFO Timothy Yates, who worked together at Symbol Technologies (SBL), the stock has been trading up. These appointments were "designed to simplify and streamline [Monster's] operations on a global basis," the company said in a press release, and are intended to fuel future growth.

Possible suitors for Monster have included Yahoo! (YHOO) and Google (GOOG), as well as newspaper publishers and, more recently, private-equity firms. Does this mean a sale will come any time soon for the global online employment solution provider? It depends on who you ask:

On the "not for sale" side of the fence is Wachovia, who says that after speaking with management, they’re confident the company has no intention to sell in the near-term. Analysts at Goldman Sachs appear to agree, as they believe the restructuring in the upper ranks provides a second data point, indicating the company will not be sold. Goldman specifically says that the company's June and July volatility is near a 26-week average, which suggests non-directional risk.

Okay, but other firms beg to differ, including Stifel Nicolaus, which says the appointment of Yates is evidence that management would consider strategic alternatives - alternatives which may include selling the company. The firm points to the sale of Symbol Technologies to Motorola (MOT) on Ianuzzi’s and Yates’s watch.

LBO or no, many firms agree that now is the time to buy shares of Monster.