Yahoo Eyes Time Warner For Deal As Microsoft Revives Takeover Interest

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Yahoo Inc (NYSE: YHOO) may be looking to combine with Time Warner Inc (NYSE: TWX) in an effort to deter future takeover attempts by Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT).

The potential deal could give Yahoo control of AOL, and Time Warner would then take a stake in Yahoo.

Talks between the companies had originally started earlier this year, though Microsoft's failed attempt to acquire Yahoo and the subsequent fall-out after effectively haulted any deals. Now with Yahoo's share price sliding and investor confidence waning, it's clear that Yahoo is eager to spark some new life into the company's performance.

Yesterday NewsVisual mapped the connections between Microsoft and Yahoo that could be used to revive a deal. Today, an IntellectSpace Knowledge Map illustrates the ties between Time Warner and Yahoo that could be used to keep Microsoft at bay.

Microsoft Considers A New Run For Yahoo

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) hasn't given up on its attempt for a piece of Yahoo Inc (NASDAQ: YHOO), and is supposedly planning its methods for a successful takeover.

In another attempt to acquire Yahoo's search business, Microsoft has met with Time Warner Inc (NYSE: TWX) and News Corp (NYSE: NWS) to discuss deals that would up its chances of successfully reaching an agreement with Yahoo.

Though some close to the meetings are quick to downplay the talks as preliminary, analysts are speculating that Microsoft is planning acquisitions from Yahoo as well as segments from the companies it's been meeting with, including News Corp's Myspace or Time Warner's AOL (see article from The Wall Street Journal).   

Lehman Brothers Faces Record Lows; Leadership Scrambling For Turnaround

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc (NYSE: LEH) experienced major drops in the value of its shares on Monday, leaving the troubled finance firm at risk of a takeover.

Share prices haven't been this low since 2000, and some analysts are speculating that Lehman Brothers could be facing some major hurdles in the near future. One prediction is that the firm may even be forced to sell itself on the cheap if performance doesn't quickly improve.

Sprint Begins To See Turnaround Success

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Sprint Nextel Corp (NYSE: S) could be on its way to a full recovery from its recent financial struggles.

The wireless carrier, which has experienced major losses in the last year, has been implimenting turnaround tactics that are increasing investor confidence, leading to a 13% jump in stock price last week.

Increased focus on improving consumer service and it's new products has some analysts predicting that the next quarter will see greater customer retention and increasing performance (see article from The Wall Street Journal). 

Earlier this month, NewsVisual published an article and Knowledge Map illustrating one new tactic that Sprint is using to boost its numbers (see article).

It's likely that Sprint's current leadership played a huge role in sparking a turnaround. NewsVisual created an IntellectSpace Knowledge Map to convey the degree of high-level corporate experience that Sprint has under its belt that may prove key in this critical time.

Yahoo Plans Another Revamp Despite Investor Skepticism

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Yahoo! Inc (NASDAQ: YHOO) has announced yet another plan for reorganization, yet after a shaky last few months that left investors doubting its leadership, some are wondering whether this latest plan is mearly an attempt at distraction.

On Thursday the company announced that it would create three primary divisions focused on new product creation and data usage. The plan may have been a good idea last year, however critics are panning Yahoo for supposedly using the reorganizations as a way to save face after the embarrassment surrounding the failed takeover by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).

DealJournal compared Yahoo in its revamp attempts to "the great sorcerer" from The Wizard of Oz, who mearly turned out to be a purveyor of smoke and mirrors in order to project a greater image of himself to those around (see article ).

Can Sony Catch Up With New Strategy and Corporate Connections?

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace ) -- Sony Corp (NYSE: SNE) is aiming to surpass the competition and reach high performance goals after announcing its latest growth strategy.

The Japanese electronics maker plans to take advantage of the recent surge in popularity of video downloading by offering the service through its products, including computers, televisions and videogame consoles. Sony has been lagging in performance in the last few years, especially after its Walkman music devices failed to attract consumers like Apple's iPod (see article from The Wall Street Journal).

Despite being a big name and having a strong reputation in electronics, Sony is facing stiff competition from being slower to work the online market. 

Monsanto Can Thank Surging Demand And Strong Industry Network For Positive Earnings

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Monsanto Co (NYSE: MON) saw a big earnings boost in its third quarter, driven by growing demand, which led the seed company to once again up its fiscal-year outlook.

In the previous quarter ended in May, Monsanto said that its net income jumped by 43% and total revenue reached $3.59 billion. Though many US company's are feeling the pinch due to worries about the economy, Monsanto appears to be thriving.

As the world's largest seed producer, record grain prices means good news for the company, which attributed high demand as the reason for its latest success.

After realizing the better than expected results, Monsanto raised its outlook for the fourth time. The news is positive, however, analysts are expecting a slight loss in the fourth quarter, which is typically more influenced by its cotton and agricultural herbicides businesses and usually sparks a brief downturn (see article from The Wall Street Journal). 

ConAgra Boosts Outlook After Better Than Expected Performance

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- ConAgra Foods Inc (NYSE: CAG) cited very strong profits as the reason behind its increased fourth quarter earnings outlook.

Various sectors of the foods company are said to have done well in the quarter ended in May, including its foods and ingredients divisions, and the high sale of its trading business also contributed to the boosted outlook (see article from The Wall Street Journal). 

Bear Stearns On Edge Of Collapse; SEC Chief In Hot Water Over Response

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- Bear Stearns Cos (NYSE: BSC) is facing a major meltdown, and amid the crisis, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox finding himself a target for scrutiny.

Critics are saying that the SEC head has exhibited less than stellar leadership performance in the midst of the investment bank's downward spiral.

The SEC has been scrambling to form a bailout plan for Bear Stearns, though noticeably absent from the meetings and dealings has been Cox, whose personal plans like birthday party and family vacation caused him to miss bailout meetings and press conferences. Cox appears to be doing the opposite of what critics say is needed most during this trying time- a visible and outspoken leader activate serve as a strong leader during such a major crisis.

Those that are defending the SEC Chairman say that Cox has acted as he should, and even went beyond in taking action with to help prevent public panic by taking refusing to show anything but optimism for Bear Stearns' outlook (see article from The Wall Street Jornal).   

UAL and Continental Form Partnership With Strong Common Ties

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace) -- UAL Corp's (NYSE: UAL) United Airlines and Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) have forged a deal that falls just short of a merger.

The agreement between the airlines would form a marketing alliance that would have the two working closely for mutual benefit without the risks, labor worries and costs associated with a full blown merger.

The deal would partner United and Continental, ranked 2 and 4 in terms of traffic, in a time when operating an independent airline is risky business. Amid economic woes and rising fuel prices, many airlines have sought out mergers and similiar alliances to help ease costs and lower risk.