Midweek M&A Madness

Now that the weather has finally warmed up, plenty of M&A bankers are hoping the market for deals will as well.

We’ve noticed a few more targets coming to market in recent weeks and have compiled a list of some of those we’ve come across. Our sources are various news reports and the Buyouts “Seeking Buyers” list.

The following companies (among many others) are either formally considering “strategic alternatives,” reported to be on the block or are rumored to be in sales talks. For prior lists, see below, and send any additions my way.

Coinstar Inc., based in Bellevue, Wash., plans to evaluate strategic alternatives for noncore businesses that include its money-transfer and e-payment units.

WPT Enterprises is rumored to be seeking a buyer for subsidiary World Poker Tour, based in Los Angeles.

Publicly traded 4Kids Entertainment retained Montgomery & Co. to assist it in exploring strategic alternatives.

Canada’s Coalcorp Mining said it is looking at strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of its La Francia mine in Colombia or sale of infrastructure assets associated with La Francia.

Bankrupt Aurora Oil & Gas, based in Traverse City, Mich., is seeking a buyer for the company.

Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based Basin Water, which is bankrupt, is seeking a buyer for the company. Amplio Filtration Holdings is named potential bidder.

Merced, Calif.-based Capital Corp of the West, which is bankrupt, is seeking a buyer for the company.

Massachusetts-based EPIX Pharmaceuticals, which is bankrupt, is seeking a buyer for its certain assets.

First Financial Network, based in Oklahoma City, is seeking a buyer for its agricultural loan portfolio unit.

Leachman Cattle, based in Billings, Mont., is seeking a buyer for its Hairpin Cavvy unit. Concurrently, Leachman is seeking a buyer for its Home Place unit.

Hooker Furniture based in Virginia is seeking a buyer for its frame production operation unit.

Janus Capital Group, based in Denver, Colo., is seeking a buyer for the company.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. and Franklin Resources were named as potential bidders.

Windward Capital Partners LP is seeking a buyer for bankrupt JL French Corp., based in Sheboygan.

Lang Holdings, based in Delafield, Wisc., is bankrupt and seeking a buyer for the company.

AB Hirschfeld Press is seeking a buyer for its bankrupt National Hirschfeld LLC unit, based in Denver.

New Vine Logistics, based in Napa, Calif., is seeking a buyer for the company.

Atlanta-based NV Broadcasting LLC, which is bankrupt, is seeking a buyer for the company.

DLJ Merchant Banking Partners LP, is seeking a buyer for its bankrupt RathGibson unit, based in Lincolnshire, Ill.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, based in Maryland, is seeking a buyer for its non-TV assets.

The Wine Loft Pittsburgh, based (strangely) in Baton Rouge, is seeking a buyer for the company.

Tyson Foods is seeking a buyer for its 5 hog farms in Benton County and Ishington County, Arkansas and McDonald County, Missouri.

StockerYale, a light laser business based in Salem, N.H., retailed Needham & Company to explore strategic alternatives.

Previous weeks: Midweek M&A Madness July 29, Midweek M&A Madness July 22, Midweek M&A Madness July 16, Midweek Madness June 18, Midweek Madness June 10, Midweek M&A Madness May 28, Midweek M&A Madness May 27, Midweek M&A Madness May 13, Midweek M&A Madness May 5