NAPS

[Amarens]

Will sell today. Closed below TL and I wasn't around for the close.

Amarens

[Terliso]

Napster Stock Up, Analyst Prices Buyout
Tuesday September 26, 3:34 pm ET 
Napster Stock Rises As Analyst Sets Possible M&A Price Close to $7 Per Share


NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of online digital music company Napster Inc. climbed Tuesday, as an analyst said the company could be fairly acquired for close to $7 per share.
The Los Angeles-based company's stock climbed 29 cents, or 7.2 percent, to $4.30 on the Nasdaq. In the past 52 weeks, Napster shares have traded between $2.55 and $5.10.




Last week, Napster announced it retained UBS Investment Bank to help it weigh the possibility of selling the company. Analysts chimed in with speculation about possible bidders, including hardware manufacturers, record labels, satellite radio providers and cell phone service companies, throwing in big names such as Google Inc., Web retailer Amazon.com Inc. and flash memory maker SanDisk Corp.

In a note to investors, ThinkEquity analyst Darren Aftahl wrote that given the significant development behind Napster's subscription-model technology, "fair M&A value for shares of NAPS is $5 to $7, but probably closer to the higher end."

Aftahl, who rates the stock "Buy" with a $5.50 price target, estimated it would cost a new entrant to the field a considerable amount of money -- $120 million to $145 million -- to build the technology that manages Napster's subscribers, content and delivery systems. It could take a new entrant as long as a year to negotiate the music licenses Napster holds. Napster also has a long-established brand and counts more than 500,000 people among its subscribers.

The analyst added that an acquirer with a broad reach or audience makes the most sense; for him, the list includes Amazon.com, IAC/Interactive Corp., Google, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and SanDisk.

[Amarens]

NAPS has been going for a great rally. This news caused a gap yesterday, wonder what more is in store 


AP
Napster Stock Up, Analyst Prices Buyout
Tuesday September 26, 3:34 pm ET

Napster Stock Rises As Analyst Sets Possible M&A Price Close to $7 Per Share
NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of online digital music company Napster Inc. climbed Tuesday, as an analyst said the company could be fairly acquired for close to $7 per share.
The Los Angeles-based company's stock climbed 29 cents, or 7.2 percent, to $4.30 on the Nasdaq. In the past 52 weeks, Napster shares have traded between $2.55 and $5.10.
Last week, Napster announced it retained UBS Investment Bank to help it weigh the possibility of selling the company. Analysts chimed in with speculation about possible bidders, including hardware manufacturers, record labels, satellite radio providers and cell phone service companies, throwing in big names such as Google Inc., Web retailer Amazon.com Inc. and flash memory maker SanDisk Corp.
In a note to investors, ThinkEquity analyst Darren Aftahl wrote that given the significant development behind Napster's subscription-model technology, "fair M&A value for shares of NAPS is $5 to $7, but probably closer to the higher end."
Aftahl, who rates the stock "Buy" with a $5.50 price target, estimated it would cost a new entrant to the field a considerable amount of money -- $120 million to $145 million -- to build the technology that manages Napster's subscribers, content and delivery systems. It could take a new entrant as long as a year to negotiate the music licenses Napster holds. Napster also has a long-established brand and counts more than 500,000 people among its subscribers.
The analyst added that an acquirer with a broad reach or audience makes the most sense; for him, the list includes Amazon.com, IAC/Interactive Corp., Google, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and SanDisk.

[Terliso]

Napster Shares Up on Buyout Speculation
Monday October 16, 11:56 am ET 
Napster Rises As Analyst Reiterates Buyout Speculation, Citing Google Purchase of YouTube


NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of online music service Napster Inc. rose Monday after an analyst reiterated his belief that the company could be acquired.
The Los Angeles-based company's stock, which has ranged from $2.55 to $5.10 in the past year, climbed 18 cents, or 4.2 percent, to $4.48 in morning trading on the Nasdaq.

In a note to investors Monday, ThinkEquity analyst Darren Aftahi wrote Napster could be acquired by a service provider, hardware manufacturer or content company, and among the prime candidates are Web retailer Amazon.com Inc., IAC/InterActive Corp. and Google Inc.

Aftahi issued a similar report Sept. 19.

The analyst observed that a spate of recent digital media acquisitions -- including Google's buyout of video-sharing startup YouTube announced last week -- makes an acquisition of Napster appear increasingly likely.

Aftahi noted that the company hired UBS Investment Bank in September to advise in a possible sale, and that its strong online music brand and 500,000 subscribers make it an attractive buy.

The analyst calculated a fair purchase price would be $6 to $7 per share.

[Terliso]

NAPS - going for the trendline

[Terliso]

Napster wants to be a sell out
The online music service, once an industry renegade, is now looking for a deep-pocketed parent. Here's who might be interested in buying Napster.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/10/25/commentary/mediabiz/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote

[mitchjas]

In at 4.57 today.  Looks like strong breakout volume above the upper trendline. 

[Terliso]

Overhead resistance, no worries
NAPS is pack of power

[mitchjas]

Very nice day for NAPS!  I actually thought we might give up a few cents for a little consolidation - but when I got back to my computer at 4:15 - wow, nice close with volume!

Nice volume, MACD turning positive, but RSI is at 80 - This one may rest for a day or two but hopefully will keep some nice momentum!

Jason

[mitchjas]

NAPS is still looking strong with a decent day today.  Consolidating around the 4.8 mark.  I think there is decent support at the 4.7 range and the 10 ema.  May hang around 4.8 a little longer before moving up again barring any news - good or bad.

My 4.57 entry is looking not bad!   

[akam]

buying time.oversold with light volume.picking up some for a start.

[setravis]

Napster Explains Decision To Share Customer Data With New Owner Best Buy
By Staci D. Kramer - Wed 28 Jan 2009 07:02 PM PST

Earlier this month we reported that Napster (NSDQ: NAPS) warned customers it was changing its privacy policy and would be merging its data with that of new owner Best Buy, leaving questions about what would be done with the merged info. I even mentioned my plans to cancel by the Feb. 17 deadline to avoid being part of the move. Nearly two weeks later, in a post on the company blog, Napster CEO Chris Gorog offered his regret for not explaining it better and defended the company's plans. From his explanation: "Customer information will not be used for marketing purposes without your consent and will never be sold or rented to third parties. The goal of integrating our information is to enhance our customers' music experience. The Best Buy/Napster partnership will further enable both companies to help music customers access their music wherever, whenever, and however they want, which has been Napster's mission from the beginning."

Among the examples: "... we hope to be able to present specialized digital music offers and personalized recommendations based on your Best Buy CD purchases. Determining the number of Napster customers who are also Best Buy Reward Zone members may enable us to create a Reward Zone benefit for Napster Subscribers. Looking even further out, it is possible to envision personalized music pre-loaded on new MP3 players or mobile phones because of our collaboration."

The possibilities are intriguing and customers who stick around may benefit, particularly those who do most of their shopping at Best Buy. Gorog shouldn't be surprised, though, if some opt out rather than agree to the merger.

[setravis]

Napster Explains Decision To Share Customer Data With New Owner Best Buy
By Staci D. Kramer - Wed 28 Jan 2009 07:02 PM PST

Earlier this month we reported that Napster (NSDQ: NAPS) warned customers it was changing its privacy policy and would be merging its data with that of new owner Best Buy, leaving questions about what would be done with the merged info. I even mentioned my plans to cancel by the Feb. 17 deadline to avoid being part of the move. Nearly two weeks later, in a post on the company blog, Napster CEO Chris Gorog offered his regret for not explaining it better and defended the company's plans. From his explanation: "Customer information will not be used for marketing purposes without your consent and will never be sold or rented to third parties. The goal of integrating our information is to enhance our customers' music experience. The Best Buy/Napster partnership will further enable both companies to help music customers access their music wherever, whenever, and however they want, which has been Napster's mission from the beginning."

Among the examples: "... we hope to be able to present specialized digital music offers and personalized recommendations based on your Best Buy CD purchases. Determining the number of Napster customers who are also Best Buy Reward Zone members may enable us to create a Reward Zone benefit for Napster Subscribers. Looking even further out, it is possible to envision personalized music pre-loaded on new MP3 players or mobile phones because of our collaboration."

The possibilities are intriguing and customers who stick around may benefit, particularly those who do most of their shopping at Best Buy. Gorog shouldn't be surprised, though, if some opt out rather than agree to the merger.