$386 million takeover set by Informix; Illustra Information data base is sought

Article Abstract:

Informix will acquire Illustra Information Technologies in a stock deal worth as much as $386 million, as Informix seeks a strong position in the object-relational data base management system (ORDBMS) market. Illustra is the principle supplier of ORDBMS products, while Informix prior to the acquisition was the third-largest independent DBMS vendor. The growth of the Internet and multimedia applications has created complex data types that typical DBMSs cannot handle. Informix was working on its own ORDBMS technology internally, but customers were unable to wait for it to come to market and were turning to Illustra products. Illustra Pres and CEO Richard Williams believes the merger will prove successful because employees from both companies had worked with each other at IBM. Informix stock fell $1.125 because the deal calls for the issuance of new stock, which will weaken existing shareholders' positions, but analysts are generally in favor of the merger.

Database Mgmt Software Pkgs, Informix Corp., IFMX, Company Acquisition/Merger, Illustra Information Technologies Inc.

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Softkey reaches agreement to buy Learning Company

Article Abstract:

Softkey International has acquired the Learning Co after increasing the cash value of its offer. As a result, the Learning Co has dissolved a tentative merger agreement with Broderbund Software. The Softkey merger offers $67.50 cash per share for 8.28 million shares of the Learning Co's common stock and $48 million for unvested stock options from Learning Co employees in a deal totaling $606 million. Softkey's previous offer had been $65 per share. The proposed Broderbund merger involved a stock exchange valued at $500 million, but its value fell as Broderbund's stock dropped in value. Broderbund had been the Learning Co's preferred partner after Softkey launched its first hostile takeover attempt. The merger, combined with the company's takeover of Minnesota Educational Computing, gives Softkey a commanding lead in the educational software market, but it has accrued $1 billion in debt in an industry that generates $500 million in annual sales.

Computer Software, Software, Learning Company Inc., Broderbund Software Inc., BROD, LRNG, SoftKey International Inc., SKEY

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Symantec offers to buy Delrina as Windows 95 release nears

Article Abstract:

Symantec Corp is planning to acquire Delrina Corp in a stock swap transaction that is being valued at $415 million. Delrina's most well-known product is its Winfax software and the acquisition would add important communications software to Symatec's product line of utilities and application development software. The planned acquisition is one of a number of recent mergers and acquisitions that have been happening in the software industry in response to the forthcoming release of Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system. Microsoft is planning to integrate more file management and fax communications capabilities and this is causing other companies to stock up on competing products. Analysts say that Symantec's plans are in line with their recent aggressive acquisition strategy.

Communications Software NEC, Telecommunications software, Symantec Corp., SYMC, Delrina Corp.

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