Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Tuesday January 31, 2012

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Tuesday January 31, 2012: Multiband Announces Expiration of Letter of Intent to Acquire WPCS International The Expired Offer:
Multiband Corporation MBND announced Tuesday that it will allow a Letter of Intent for the remaining portion of an acquisition with WPCS International WPCS to expire effective February 1, 2012 as the Company believes it is not viable to conclude the transaction as originally intended given current market valuations. This will result in Multiband losing exclusivity to negotiate a purchase of the remaining business operations of WPCS. The original agreement included a provision that during the exclusivity timeframe, Multiband would not sell any of the 709,271 common shares of WPCS International it currently owned. This restriction will now be lifted as well. The terms are consistent with those detailed in the parties' original June 2011 Letter of Intent. WPCS International closed at $1.69 Tuesday, a loss of 0.59% for the day on 4.75 times the average daily volume. Global NuTech Acquires Texas Gulf Oil and Gas The Deal:
Global NuTech (BOCL) announced Tuesday that the company has acquired 100% of the stock of Houston, Texas based Texas Gulf Oil & Gas. The acquisition from private equity firm Corporate Strategies Merchant Bankers includes individual oilfield producing assets and options throughout the Austin Chalk and near the Eagle Ford shale play in Texas. These assets include leases, options and working interests in 19 oil wells throughout the area and additional options to invest in wells to be drilled or re-entered in three leases identified as the Tilmon, Lay, and Rodenberg. David Mathews, CEO of Global NuTech, said, "Texas Gulf Oil & Gas provides us a platform to expand vertically in the energy markets, specifically in energy services, exploration and production. The President of Texas Gulf, Damon Wagley, brings many years of experience and a qualified team to expand the company's service and exploration business. The Wagley family first entered the oil and gas business in 1952, and brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and relationships that extend from central Texas to the North Sea. We are quite fortunate to have Damon Wagley's oil field experience and leadership to build Texas Gulf Oil & Gas on a fast track in 2012." Global NuTech shares closed at $0.38 Tuesday, a gain of 85.37% for the day on 3 times the average daily volume. Avnet Acquires Canvas Systems The Deal:
Avnet AVT announced Tuesday that it has acquired Canvas Systems, Platinum Equity. Canvas Systems specializes in providing services that span the IT life cycle. These services include remarketing, refurbishment and environmentally compliant asset disposal services. Canvas Systems provides a secure way for customers to refresh their data center infrastructure while reducing costs and minimizing risk. This transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings and supports Avnet's long-term return on capital goal of 12.5%. Avnet closed at $34.87 Tuesday, a gain of 0.17% for the day on slightly more than the average daily volume. GlaxoSmithKline to Acquire Intermune The Rumor:
GlaxoSmithKline GSK has expressed interest in acquiring Intermune for $35 per share or more, according to sources. That price is based on the value of Intermune's Esbriet. On December 15, 2011, Goldman Sachs mentioned Intermune in a report as one of the most likely biotech candidates for a buyout in 2012. Benzinga contacted an Intermune spokesperson, who would not comment on the rumor. Intermune closed at $15.00 Tuesday, a gain of 4.24% for the day on 1.28 times the average daily volume. Prudential Financial to Acquire Lincoln Financial The Rumor:
Prudential Financial PRU has offered $31.50 per share for Lincoln Financial LNC, according to sources. It has been reported that Lincoln Financial has cancelled out of planned public appearances. Benzinga was in contact with spokespersons for both Prudential and Lincoln Financial, but neither would comment on the rumor. Lincoln Financial closed at $21.54 Tuesday, a gain of 0.61% for the day on average volume. Carlos Slim to Acquire Saks The Rumor:
Inmobiliaria Carso, the conglomerate headed by Carlos Slim, is rumored to be taking Saks private at 11.50 per share. The company already owns 17% of Saks. Benzinga spoke with Investor Relations from Saks, but the company would not comment on the rumored buyout. Saks closed at $9.98 Tuesday, a gain of 2.36 for the day on average volume. Nexen is Not for Sale The Rumor:
Nexen NXY is not for sale, according to the dealReporter. On January 20, John Stephenson, a partner at Toronto-based First Asset Investment Management, said the company was a potential takeover target, following the resignation of Marvin Romanow as President and CEO. Nexen shares closed at $17.92 Tuesday, a loss of 1.65% for the day on average volume. Private Equity to Acquire Garmin The Rumor:
Private equity firms are looking at Garmin GMRN as a possible takeover target, according to sources. A spokesperson for Garmin was not available for comment. Garmin closed at $41.70 Tuesday, a gain of 2.08% for the day on average volume.