Accenture has agreed to pay $13.00 per outstanding American Depositary Share, each of which represents two ordinary shares ($6.50 per ordinary share), or a total of approximately $316 million, in cash for Acquity Group. The acquisition is subject to Acquity Group shareholder approval as well as other customary closing conditions.

Acquity Group provides strategy, digital marketing, and technical services to hundreds of companies to enhance their brand experiences and eCommerce performance. The acquisition will broaden Accenture’s own services in these areas, which the company provides through Accenture Interactive, its group that offers chief marketing officers (CMOs) and brand leaders a comprehensive suite of marketing, technology and analytics solutions to help them improve their marketing performance.

Acquity Group is the second-largest independent digital marketing company in the United States. It has grown rapidly in recent years, with revenues of $141 million for 2012, an increase of 32% over 2011. Once the acquisition is complete, Acquity Group’s more than 600 employees are expected to join Accenture Interactive. – Source: Accenture, Acquity Group Ltd.

The post Accenture to acquire Acquity Group appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.

Under terms, FirstCity stockholders are entitled to receive $10.00 per share in cash, without interest, for each share of FirstCity common stock they own immediately prior to the effective time of the merger.

As previously announced and pursuant to the terms of the transaction, Mark B. Horrell, who previously served as Senior Vice President and Head of U.S. Acquisitions of FirstCity, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of FirstCity, succeeding James T. Sartain. Mr. Sartain will retire and join Värde as a consultant.

Additionally, Terry R. DeWitt, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Acquisitions of FirstCity, and James C. Holmes, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of FirstCity, will become Chief Credit Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively, and will assist Mr. Horrell in leading the operations of FirstCity. FirstCity will retain its headquarters in Waco and will maintain its office in Dallas, Texas. – Source: Värde Partners, Inc., FirstCity Financial Corporation.

The post Värde Partners completes acquisition of FirstCity Financial appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.

The acquisition adds Outdoor Channel’s array of outdoor programming to KSE’s leading sports and multimedia portfolio (which includes Altitude Sports & Entertainment (regional sports network), the Colorado Avalanche (National Hockey League), Denver Nuggets (National Basketball Association), Colorado Rapids (Major League Soccer) and Colorado Mammoth (National Lacrosse League), as well as a 50% interest in World Fishing Network). This combination will enable Outdoor Channel to expand in serving the vast and growing consumer base for outdoor enthusiast programming while providing an unparalleled platform for distributors, producers and advertisers. – Source: Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, LLC .

The post Kroenke Sports closes acquisition of Outdoor Channel Holdings appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.

GLOSSARY
Weekly Leading Index is the measure of future Economic growth which is annualised growth rate.

The post US ECRI Weekly Annualized (WoW) appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.

GLOSSARY
The Conference Board (CB) Leading Index is a composite index based on 10 economic indicators, that is designed to predict the future direction of the economy.

The post US CB Leading Index (MoM) appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.

US Michigan Inflation Expectations – Preliminary Release:   3.1%
Previous: 3.1%

GLOSSARY
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rates the relative level of current and future economic conditions.

University of Michigan (UoM) Inflation Expectations measures the percentage that consumers expect the price of goods and services to change during the next 12 months.

The post US Michigan Consumer Sentiment, Inflation Expectations appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.

GLOSSARY
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the annualized change in the inflation-adjusted value of all goods and services produced by the economy.

The post Mexican GDP (YoY) appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.

These shares have been released from the obligations of the shareholders agreement between ING and the Larragoiti Family as announced on 28 February 2013.

Upon the closing of both the sale to IFC and the transaction with the Larragoiti Family (in which ING agreed to reduce its 36.5% stake to just under 30%), ING’s equity interest in SulAmérica will be reduced to approximately 21.5%. The market value of the remaining stake is approximately EUR 410 million based on the closing share price of 15 May 2013 (R$14.95) and current exchange rates. The transaction with IFC is expected to close within 30 days, while the transaction with the Larragoiti Family is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013 as it is subject to regulatory approvals.

The transaction is part of the ING Group restructuring plan for the divestment of all its Insurance and Investment Management operations as agreed upon with the European Commission. ING will review options for the divestment of its remaining 21.5% stake as and when appropriate.

SulAmérica is the largest independent insurance group in Brazil, with operations in several insurance lines.

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries. – Source: ING.

The post ING to sell part of its direct stake in SulAmérica to IFC appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.

GLOSSARY
Wholesale Sales measures the change in the total value of sales at the wholesale level.

The post Canada Wholesale Sales (MoM) appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.

Canada CPI (YoY):  0.4%
Forecast: 1.0%
Previous: 1.0%

Canada Core CPI (MoM):  0.1%
Forecast: 0.2%
Previous: 0.2%

GLOSSARY
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer.

The Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the changes in the price of goods and services, excluding food and energy.

The post Canada CPI, Core CPI (MoM) appeared first on Thudder & Wicks.