Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Wednesday February 13, 2013

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Wednesday February 13, 2013: Hearing Chatter of Possible Marathon Bid for Hess The Rumor:
Shares of Hess HESS spiked as high as 68.44 early Wednesday on chatter of a possible bid from Marathon Petrolum MPC. A spokesperson for Marathon declined comment on the report. A Hess spokesperson was not available for comment. Hess closed at $67.96 Wednesday, a gain of 1.5% on 2.5 times average volume. Report Las Vegas Sands Exploring Breakup of Company The Rumor:
Shares of Las Vegas Sands LVS moved higher Wednesday on reports the companyt has hired an adviser to explore a potential breakup of the company. A spokesperson for the company was not available for comment. Las Vegas Sands closed at $53.60 Wednesday, a loss of $0.19 on twice average volume. Hearing Chatter of Oracle Bid for Remainder of Mellanox it does Not Own The Rumor:
Oracle ORCL could be bidding to acquire the remainder of Mellanox Technologies MLNX shares it does not already own, according to unconfirmed market chatter on Wednesday. Oracle currently owns 22% of Mellanox shares. A spokesperson for Mellanox declined comment on the rumor. An Oracle spokesperson was not available for comment. Mellanox Technologies closed at $54.17 Wednesday, a gain of 4.5% on average volume. Report Time Warner to Sell Most of its Publishing Unit to Meredith The RumorTime Warner TWX is reportedly in talks to sell most of its publishing unit to Meredith Corp., according to sources. Time Warner would retain ownership of Time, Sports Illustrated and Fortune magazines. A spokesperson for Time Warner declined comment on the report. Time Warner closed at $52.85 Wednesday, a gain of $0.35 on 1.5 times average volume. Report Kroger Could be Buyer of Harris Teeter The Rumor:
Kroger KR was named Wednesday as a potential bidder for Harris Teeter Supermarkets HTSI. Publix Supermarkets and Netherlands-based Koninklijke Ahold are also possible buyers, according to sources. Harris Teeter had declined comment on the original report on Tuesday. Harris Teeter closed at $40.72 Wednesday, a gain of 3% on 5 times average volume. US Airways, AMR Boards Approve Merger The Merger Terms:
The boards of US Airways LCC and AMR Corp. AAMRQ approved the $11 billion merger on Wednesday, according to sources. The all-stock deal will be announced officially on Thursday. US Airways closed at $14.66 Wednesday, a gain of 2.73% on 1.5 times average volume. Report Best Buy Founder Schulze May Seek Alternative to Buyout The Rumor:
Best Buy BBY founder Richard Schulze may end his bid to takeover the electronics retailer, according to sources. Schulze is reportedly struggling to get financing for the deal. As an alternative, Schulze may get investors to take a minority stake. In August 2012, Schulze semt a letter to the board, indicating he would pay $24 to $26 per share for Best Buy. Best Buy closed at $15.12 Wednesday, a loss of 2% on average volume. Report Michael Dell, Silver Lake May Raise Bid for Dell The Rumor:
Multiple sources reported Friday that Michael Dell and investor Silver Lake could increase their offer for Dell DELL in the face of rising pressure from shareholders. On Tuesday, analyst Peter Misek of Jefferies said the bid for Dell could go as high as $15 per share. On February 5, Dell agreed to be taken private at $13.65 per share. Several large investors have expressed their dissatisfaction with the offer. Dell closed at $13.77 Wednesday, a loss of $0.02 on average volume.