Investing

Nuance & Transcend: M&A That Makes Sense (TRCR, NUAN)

Transcend Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRCR) is surging higher on news that Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) is paying a premium to acquire the company.  While many deals are a waste, this one looks to make sense on the surface.

FBR Capital noted that the speech recognition software maker’s $300 million acquisition of Transcend is a strategic fit.  Transcend has a healthcare focus and it has a reputation that is high quality in small and mid-sized healthcare players.  Transcend’s CEO recently forecast double-digit growth in its healthcare segment recently.

After pulling the Thomson Reuters estimates, the $300 million price tag is only about two-times expected revenues for 2013 ($162.4 million consensus).

What may be even more important than all is that this is a bolt-on deal for Nuance and it helps to justify its $8 billion market value and premium valuations of more than 4-times expected 2013 revenues.  Nuance is expected to have almost 20% sales growth in 2012 and over 14% in 2013 before the effects of this deal.

JON C. OGG

Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts

Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.

It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.

We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today.  Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.

 

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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