Filed under: Business, Windows, Productivity, Microsoft, Commercial, Freeware

Ever created a PowerPoint that everyone in your organization wanted a copy of? Sure you could go ahead and clog up your corporate email server with the 200MB + file or you could just convert your PowerPoint to a smaller flash file with iSpring and publish it to an internal or external website (slideboom account required) for others to view.

Converting your PowerPoint presentation to a flash motion picture couldn’t be any easier as the iSpring installation puts the conversion buttons right in your PowerPoint menu bar. In addition to the one click conversion iSpring also grants for some customization such as generating HTML codes, looped and automatic playback, slide advance via mouse click as well as changing the duration of the slide.

iSpring comes in 3 flavors ranging from the free version which we tested on up to the Ultra version which allows the creation of E-learning content to additional playback controls. In our testing we found the free version more than sufficient for most PowerPoint presentations.

So before you send that PowerPoint thru your company email, try converting it with iSpring instead.

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Filed under: Deals

Enodis plc, which got its start in 1910, is a global supplier of food and beverage equipment. Actually, it’s been a tasty company for several suitors.

And now Enodis will have a new owner: Manitowoc (NYSE: MTW). The company outbid Illinois Tool Works Inc (NYSE: ITW) and has agreed to pay $2.7 billion for the firm.

Enodis has a strong global footprint, assembling a huge portfolio of quality brands, such as Delfield, Frymaster, Garland, Ice-o-matic, Scotsman and so on. What’s more, the company has top-notch clients like Burger King (NYSE: BKC) and McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD).

However, on its face, Enodis looks like a mature company, with little growth ahead of it. But the fact remains that the company is poised nicely for opportunities in emerging markets, especially in Asia.

Even so, Manitowoc is certainly paying a premium for Enodis. Perhaps that’s why Wall Street is a bit concerned, as Manitowoc’s stock has gone from $44.75 to $30.83 since April.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar On the web Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

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Filed under: Deals, Private equity, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (KKD)

A private equity group unfamiliar to the stock market world claims to have made a bid to acquire struggling donut maker Krispy Kreme (NYSE:KKD). According to The Winston-Salem Journal, MGL Asset Management Group has offered $7.25 a share for the company, a premium of almost $2 a share over its closing price Monday.

The mystery surrounding MGL, its assets, ownership and ambitions have caused some to meet the proposal with skepticism. The company provides almost no information on its web site, and its spokesperson told the Journal that the bid was legit, but declined to elaborate.

The skepticism about this offer seems to stem from the wisdom and timing of such an acquisition. Although KKD just reported its first profitable quarter in over three years, overall, since selling in the $50 range before the carb craze, it has waffled ever since below the $10 mark, bottoming out at $2.50 a share just last November.

At a shareholder meeting recently, the CEO of Krispy Kreme reiterated the company’s plans to build international business and increase the range of snack foods sold in convenience stores. Neither option, in my thought, is likely to have a strong impact on the company’s bottom line in the near future, if at all. One profitable quarter after three and a half years of losses in a company with a exhausted brand doesn’t whet my appetite.

I wonder what drives MGL’s interest? Perhaps they’re looking at the hole picture, with a glazed look in their eyes.

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Filed under: Deals, Internet, Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), Yahoo! (YHOO), Technology, NASDAQ

Yahoo’s (NASDAQ: YHOO) embattled management and board have one month left to prove to shareholders that they made the right call in rejecting Microsoft’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) bid. With shares trading at about $20, they are going to have to do some fancy footwork to show why rejecting a $31to $33 per share offer was actually good for shareholders.

Yahoo is trying to convince investors that a proposed ’search’ deal with Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) will provide the growth needed to restore Yahoo to previous glory. According to an AP report: ” By relying on Google’s superior technology to show some of the ads alongside its search results, Yahoo believes it can increase its annual revenue by about $800 million and generate another $250 million to $450 million in annual cash flow.”

Keep in mind that since the Microsoft deal fell apart, Yahoo has lost more than $16 billion in market cap. It is going to have to generate a lot more in revenues to show that they made the right choice.

My other problem is that I’ve many friends who over the last week have told me they can’t access their Yahoo mail or open up their saved stock portfolio’s on Yahoo Finance. I, personally, have been locked out for two days.

I have tried to follow the steps on their website, but all to no avail. Of course, I emailed customer service and still have yet to receive an answer as to why I’m unable to log in. And, as I said, the same thing has happened to some of my friends. Has it happened to you?

If Yahoo is having trouble providing basic services to longtime users, how does it plan on generating another $16 billion in market cap for long-term investors?

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. DISCLOSURE: Writer’s fund has no position in any stock mentioned, as of 7/01/08.

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Business | tampabay.com - St. Petersburg Times and tbt*

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Filed under: Forecasts, Deals, Apple Inc (AAPL), XM Satellite Radio (XMSR), Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI)

Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) laid out what it thought its financials would look like next year after a merger with XM Satellite Radio Holdings (NASDAQ: XMSR). The market wasn’t impressed.

Sirius had an odd way of expressing how it would save money next year. According to the company, “Total synergies, net of the costs to accomplish such synergies, for the combined company are expected to be approximately $400 million in 2009.” The firm also said it expected positive free cash flow.

All of that good news sent Sirius down almost 9% to $1.91. Volume was heavy at over 35 million shares, so the selling turned into a stampede.

Sirius forgot to mention the one number that Wall St. really wants to see which is what it thinks the revenue for the merger company will hit for 2009. Without that, it is impossible to determine whether any of the cash flow numbers are believable.

Investor concerns about Sirius are now more on the sales side. The idea that the marriage will grant for expense cuts is already assumed because both companies are in the same business.

The top line is critical. Observers fear that subscription growth is dropping swiftly and that potential customers are turned to other devices including multi-media handsets and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPods. The single largest source of business for the company is new automobile buyers. For now, they’re in short supply.

Sirius can’t make its case if it can’t state what its revenue prediction is, and defend it with assumptions. It look like the company is afraid to do that.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

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