The billionaire investor revealed through Twitter he reached a deal with tech company Nuance Communications to place two representatives from his company on their board of directors.
Nuance shares have jumped more than 2% in pre-market trading minutes after the announcement.
This isn't the first time Icahn has fueled a small stock surge through his Twitter account. In August, Icahn revealed his stake in Apple, which generated a 4% spike in the company's shares.
Nuance is best known for its speech-based software such as Dragon, and has been credited for the creation of personal assistant Siri. Icahn is confident the board change will greatly boost Nuance's value on Wall Street.
Icahn had been battling plans by personal computer maker Dell to accept a buyout offer from founder Michael Dell that will take the company private. Last week, Icahn said he would abandon his effort to have Dell shares appraised.
Top Stock Picks 2015: Sonus Networks Inc.(SONS)
Sonus Networks, Inc. provides voice and multimedia infrastructure solutions. The company offers session border control (SBC), voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), and access and VoIP media gateway solutions that allow the delivery of voice and multimedia sessions over IP networks. Its products include GSX9000 Open Services Switch that enables voice traffic to be transported over packet networks; GSX4000 Open Services Switch; NBS9000 Network Border Switch that permits service providers to transform their time division multiplexing networks to IP; PSX Policy & Routing Server, which translates business policies into actual call control, routing, and service selection decisions; NBS5200 Network Border Switch that provides SBC functionality; and ASX Call Feature Server that provides local area calling and regulatory features for residential and enterprise markets. The company also offers Network Analytics Suite of performance management products, including NetScore network perf ormance analysis tool, NetAssure voice quality monitoring tool, and NetEng network audit and visualization engine that are used for the collection, monitoring, reporting, and notification of performance metrics. In addition, it provides professional consulting and services to support its IP communication solutions; and program management, network deployment design, softswitch and subscriber database design, network verification and audit, custom application and adaptor development, OSS and API integration, migration and upgrade, and managed services. The company serves long-distance and local exchange carriers, Internet service providers, wireless operators, cable operators, financial institutions, retailers, state and local governments, and multinational corporations. It sells its products primarily through a direct sales force in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Sonus Networks, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Westford, Mass achusetts.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lee Jackson]
Sonus Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: SONS) was recently named to the 2013 InformationWeek 500 list of top technology innovators across the country. In July the company authorized a repurchase program to buy back up to $100 million of their stock. Lazard has a Buy rating on the stock and a $4.50 price target. The consensus target is at $4.30, and the stock closed yesterday at $3.41.
- [By Evan Niu, CFA]
What: Shares of Sonus Networks (NASDAQ: SONS ) have popped today by upwards of 17% after the company reported first-quarter earnings.
So what: First quarter sales totaled $63.3 million, which turned into a non-GAAP net loss of $0.02 per share. Investors were expecting just $61.1 million up top and an adjusted loss of $0.03 per share, meaning the figures were a beat relative to consensus estimates. Session border controller, or SBC, revenue was up 77% to $30 million.
- [By Ben Fox Rubin]
Sonus Networks Inc.(SONS) agreed to buy Performance Technologies Inc.(PTIX), a supplier of network communications products, for $3.75 a share, a 26% premium of Thursday’s close, or $42 million. The companies said the deal was worth $30 million, net of Performance Technologies’ cash and excluding acquisition costs. Performance Technologies shares jumped 24% to $3.70 premarket, just under the offer price.
- [By Roberto Pedone]
One networking player that's starting to move within range of triggering a big breakout trade is Sonus Networks (SONS), which provides networked solutions for communications service providers and enterprises in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. This stock has been red hot so far in 2013, with shares up 104%.
If you take a look at the chart for Sonus Networks, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways for the past month, with shares moving between $3.25 on the downside and $3.72 on the upside. Shares of SONS have been finding support over the last month each time the stock has pulled back to its 50-day moving average. This stock is now starting to trend a bit higher and move within range of triggering a breakout trade above the upper-end of its sideways consolidating chart pattern.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in SONS if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance at $3.56 to $3.59 a share and then once it takes out its 52-week high at $3.72 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 2.50 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then SONS will set up to enter new 52-week high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $5 to $5.50 a share.
Traders can look to buy SONS off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $3.33 to $3.25 a share, or right below more support at $3.10 a share. One could also buy SONS off strength once it takes out those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.
Top 5 Tech Stocks To Own Right Now: 3D Systems Corp. (DDD)
3D Systems Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of 3D printers and related products, print materials, and services. The company�s principle print engines comprise stereolithography, selective laser sintering, multi-jet modeling, film transfer imaging, selective laser melting, and plastic jet printers. Its 3D printers convert data input from computer-aided design software or 3D scanning and sculpting devices to produce physical objects from engineered plastic, metal, and composite print materials. The company also blends, markets, sells, and distributes various consumables, engineered plastics, metal materials, and composites; and offers various software tools, as well as pre-sale and post-sale services, including applications development, installation, warranty, and maintenance. In addition, it provides custom parts services, such as precision plastic and metal parts service and assembly capabilit ies. The company markets its stereolithography materials under the Accura and RenShape; laser sintering materials under the DuraForm, CastForm, and LaserForm; and materials for professional printers under the VisiJet brands. It primarily serves manufacturers of automotive, aerospace, computer, electronic, defense, education, consumer, energy and healthcare products, as well as original equipment manufacturers, government agencies, universities, and independent service bureaus. The company sells its products and services through its direct sales organization, sales agents, resellers, and distributors primarily in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. 3D Systems Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Alex Planes]
How we got here and where we're going
This isn't a particularly good showing for such a popular stock, and a big reason for that is the big decline in net income seen over the last few quarters. However, free cash flow hasn't been doing well, either. Stratasys began the tracking period with positive free cash flow, but has since sunk into the red there. There's a great deal of optimism surrounding 3-D printing, but the actual results don't always match up to the hype. Stratasys also significantly underperforms its sector peer 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD ) , which earned five out of seven passing grades on this analysis late last year. But is this just a temporary blip, or indicative of long-term earnings weakness?
Top 5 Tech Stocks To Own Right Now: ICG Group Inc (ICGE)
ICG Group, Inc. (ICG), formerly Internet Capital Group, Inc., acquires and builds Internet software and services companies. ICG operates in two business segments: the core reporting segment and the venture reporting segment. The Company�� core reporting segment includes those companies in which its management provides strategic direction and management assistance. Its venture reporting segment includes companies to which it generally devote less capital than it does to its core companies and, therefore, in which it holds relatively smaller ownership stakes than it does in the core companies. As of December 31, 2011, its equity core companies consisted of Channel Intelligence, Inc., Freeborders, Inc. and WhiteFence, Inc. As of December 31, 2011, its venture companies consisted of Acquirgy, Inc., GoIndustry-DoveBid plc and SeaPass Solutions Inc. In April 2012, it acquired MSDSonline Inc. In December 2012, the Company aquired 85% of interest in Procurian Inc. In February 2013, Google Inc acquired Channel Intelligence, Inc. one of the consolidated companies of ICG.
The Company is focused on the software and services markets, particularly on companies in the cloud-based software and services sector. Once the Company acquires an interest in a company, it works to assume an active role in the development and growth of the Company, providing both strategic guidance and operational support. The Company provides strategic guidance to its companies relating to, among other things, market positioning, business model and product development, strategic capital expenditures, mergers and acquisitions and exit opportunities. In addition, it provides operational support to help its companies manage day-to-day business and operational issues and implement the practices in the areas of finance, sales and marketing, business development, human resources and legal services.
GovDelivery Holdings, Inc.
GovDelivery Holdings, Inc. (GovDelivery) is a provider of government-to-citizen com! munication solutions. GovDelivery�� digital subscription management software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform enables government organizations to provide citizens with access to relevant information by delivering new information through e-mail, mobile text alerts, really simple syndication (RSS) and social media channels from United States and United Kingdom government entities at the national, state and local levels.
Investor Force Holdings, Inc.
Investor Force Holdings, Inc. (InvestorForce) is a financial software company specializing in the development of online applications for the financial services industry. InvestorForce provides pension consultants and other financial intermediaries with a Web-based enterprise platform that integrates data management with robust analytic and reporting capabilities in support of their institutional and other clients. InvestorForce�� applications provide investment consultants with the ability to conduct analysis and research into client, manager and market movement and to produce timely, automated client reports.
Procurian Inc.
Procurian Inc. (Procurian) is a specialist in procurement solutions, which partners with transformational business to drive sustainable changes to their cost structures on an accelerated basis. Procurian integrates superior market intelligence with its customers��businesses to optimize spending and deliver savings.
Channel Intelligence, Inc.
Channel Intelligence, Inc. (Channel Intelligence) is a technology and marketing services company that helps retailers, manufacturers and other advertisers make their products and services easier for consumers to find and buy online and in local retail stores. Through its technologies and product database, Channel Intelligence offers online marketing services, such as display advertising, manufacturer-based content and where-to-buy, paid search, shopping engine management, social marketing, Web storefronts, order manage! ment and ! robust performance analytics. With its range of services, Channel Intelligence helps its customers support their consumers through all phases of the sales funnel, from lead generation to consideration to purchase and delivery.
WhiteFence, Inc.
WhiteFence, Inc. (WhiteFence) is a Web services provider used by household consumers to compare and purchase essential home services, such as electricity, natural gas, telephone and cable/satellite television. WhiteFence reaches customers directly through company-owned Websites and through its network of exclusive channel partners that integrate the Web services applications into their own business processes and Websites.
Acquirgy, Inc.
Acquirgy, Inc. (Acquirgy) specializes in direct response marketing services and technology, which provides customers with a range of direct marketing products and services. Acquirgy helps market its products and services on the Internet and through other media channels, such as television, radio, and print advertising.
GoIndustry-DoveBid plc (GoIndustry)
GoIndustry-DoveBid plc (GoIndustry) is an in auction sales and valuations of used industrial machinery and equipment. GoIndustry combines traditional asset sales experience with e-commerce technology and advanced direct marketing to service the needs of multi-national corporations, insolvency practitioners, dealers and asset-based lenders worldwide.
SeaPass Solutions Inc.
SeaPass Solutions Inc. (SeaPass) develops and markets processing solutions that enables insurance carriers, agents and brokers to transmit and receive data in real time by leveraging existing systems to interact automatically. The Company�� technology allows information to be accessed in real time, which increases efficiency across all lines of the insurance business.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
ICG Group (NASDAQ: ICGE) was also up, gaining 9.77 percent to $15.39 after the company announced the sale of Procurian to Accenture plc (NYSE: ACN) for $375 million in cash.
- [By Luke Jacobi]
ICG Group (NASDAQ: ICGE) rose 9.74 percent to $15.39 after the company announced the sale of Procurian to Accenture plc (NYSE: ACN) for $375 million in cash.
Top 5 Tech Stocks To Own Right Now: 21Vianet Group Inc.(VNET)
21Vianet Group, Inc. provides carrier-neutral Internet data center services in China. It provides hosting and related services, managed network services, and cloud computing infrastructure, enhancing the reliability, security, and speed of its customers' Internet connections through 21Vianet's Internet infrastructure. The company?s customers locate their servers and networking equipment in 21Vianet's data centers and connect to China's Internet backbone through 21Vianet's fiber optic network. In addition, its managed network services enable customers to deliver data across the Internet in a faster and reliable manner through its data transmission network and proprietary BroadEx smart routing technology. The company operates 51 data centers located in 33 cities in China with approximately 6,600 cabinets under management. 21Vianet serves a diversified base of approximately 1,400 customers that span various industries ranging from Internet companies to government entities an d blue-chip enterprises to small- to mid-sized enterprises. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
In trading on Monday, technology shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 1.18 percent. Among the leading sector stocks, gains came from WebMD Health (NASDAQ: WBMD) and 21Vianet Group (NASDAQ: VNET). Telecommunications services shares gained by just 0.35 percent in the US market today.
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