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Technology Stocks : Gemstar Intl (GMST) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: gingersreisse who wrote (4315)	11/24/2000 2:18:18 PM
From: Bob Fairchild	Respond to of 6516

More on the Gemstar/Barnes and Noble talks. Enjoy yer turkey, next week it's our turn in Canada to pick a "leader" - somehow I expect our political meat grinder will be "KINDER AND GENTLER". cbs.marketwatch.com Barnes & Noble in talks with Gemstar Is bookseller serious about a merger? By Russ Britt, CBS.MarketWatch.com Last Update: 1:25 PM ET Nov 24, 2000 NewsWatch Latest headlines NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Barnes & Noble Inc. said Friday it's in talks with Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. about a business relationship, and the bookselling giant isn't ruling out a potential merger. The two companies are looking at publishing electronic books as well as several other prospective business combinations. But when Mary Ellen Keating, a Barnes & Noble (BKS: news, msgs) spokeswoman, was asked about the prospect of a merger of the two companies, she didn't say it was out of the question. "We're discussing a whole range of issues, and all options are open," Keating told CBS.MarketWatch.com. That marks a reversal from earlier in the week, when the talks first were reported. At that time, Keating said Barnes & Noble and Gemstar (GMST: news, msgs) were not discussing a merger. "That was accurate at the time, but now we're discussing a number of things," Keating said. She declined to elaborate. In an abbreviated session, shares of Barnes & Noble gained $1.19 to $27.94. Gemstar's stock rose $2.63 to $46.38. Between the two stocks, more than 1.75 million shares changed hands. However, Gemstar analyst John Corcoran at CIBC World Markets said he doubted the companies were seriously discussing a merger. Pasadena, Calif.-based Gemstar develops and licenses interactive technology and systems aimed at consumers seeking video, programming information and other data. Corcoran said Gemstar has just made several purchases, including the buyout of TV Guide, completed in July. "The company's in the middle of digesting its biggest meal ever," Corcoran said. "The company's had a lot on its plate." Other recent acquisitions include the September purchase of French e-publisher Les Editions, based in Paris. Other e-publishing buyouts include NuvoMedia Inc. and SoftBook Press Inc., both made in January. There also have been a number of Gemstar strategic partnerships announced this year. That's why Gemstar is unlikely to put itself on the market, Corcoran said. Corcoran added that Henry Yuen, Gemstar's chairman and chief executive, has taken great care to position the company in electronic publishing's future. A Gemstar purchase in the face of so many purchases would be surprising, to say the least, he said. "My jaw would drop and you would have to pick me up off the floor and give me CPR to resuscitate me," Corcoran said. Barnes & Noble has made its mark in the brick-and-mortar retail world, but its online book site is performing sluggishly. Combining with Gemstar would bring two entities that are only remotely related, Corcoran said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russ Britt is a Los Angeles-based reporter for CBS.MarketWatch.com.

To: gingersreisse who wrote (4315)	11/24/2000 2:28:16 PM
From: NY Stew	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 6516

GSR, FYI, Thomson's stake in Gemstar is ~3%. Gemstar has a small stake in Thomson from the IPO. MS also owns ~7% of TMS as does DirecTV, NEC and Alcatel. If it (Thomson) joins the Murdoch bid team, that's another strong hand, and one less ally for Henry Won't happen. The same was said when MS took its stake in Thomson a few years back. A majority interest by any media company in Gemstar would not get past the DOJ ... of this I am certain. Regards Stew