The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Duff & Phelps, Carlyle Group, Credit Suisse Group, Barclays and Royal Bank of Canada

News provided by

Jan 03, 2013, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Duff & Phelps Corporation (NYSE:DUF), The Carlyle Group LP (Nasdaq:CG), Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS), Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) and Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

Duff & Phelps to Be Sold for $665M

New York-based Duff & Phelps Corporation (NYSE:DUF) – a financial advisory and investment banking firm – announced a deal whereby a consortium –involving The Carlyle Group LP (Nasdaq:CG), Stone Point Capital LLC, Pictet & Cie and Edmond de Rothschild Group – will acquire it. The deal is priced at $665 million.

The acquiring companies will pay $15.55 per share in cash – a 19% premium on the closing price of the shares on December 31, 2012 – to buy Duff & Phelps stake. The proportions of the stake buyout were not specified, but none of the acquiring firms would be buying more than 35% of the shares individually as per Duff & Phelps. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of this year.

The deal allows Duff & Phelps a 'go-shop' interlude commencing immediately and ending on February 8, during which it will look for higher offers from other potential buyers. Duff & Phelps would pay a break-up fee of nearly $6.65 million to the consortium if it gets a higher bid and ends the deal before March 8.

Centerview Partners advised Duff & Phelps on the deal and Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal guidance. The consortium was advised by Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P, Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS), Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) and RBC Capital Markets – a wing of Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY). Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz was the legal counsel for the consortium.

Duff & Phelps provides valuation and merger advices to other companies. The company is looking forward to grow significantly on account of higher regulatory demand, implementation of new accounting policies and requirements for amplified corporate disclosure and third-party validation. Now, with the presence of big private equity firms, it is all set to utilize this growth opportunity as well as expand internationally.

Currently, Duff & Phelps retains a Zacks#3 rank, which translates into short-term Hold rating.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[email protected]
http://www.zacks.com

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.