The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Hologic, Gen-Probe, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Becton, Dickinson

 The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Hologic, Gen-Probe, Goldman Sachs, Morgan
                        Stanley and Becton, Dickinson

PR Newswire

CHICAGO, June 25, 2012

CHICAGO, June 25, 2012 /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 Hologic Inc. (Nasdaq:HOLX),
Gen-Probe Inc. (Nasdaq:GPRO), Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), Morgan Stanley
(NYSE:MS) and Becton, Dickinson (NYSE:BDX).

(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 Friday's Analyst Blog:

Gen-Probe/Hologic Deal Moves Ahead

In relation to its acquisition by Hologic Inc. (Nasdaq:HOLX), Gen-Probe Inc.
(Nasdaq:GPRO) revealed that the federally required 30-day waiting period under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 ("HSR Act") ended on
June 19. The companies were not required to provide any additional information
to the Federal Trade Commission. Following the expiry of the waiting period,
the companies can now proceed with the closure of the deal. 

The HSR Act, an amendment to U.S.'s antitrust law, requires companies to
submit a detailed filing with the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade
Commission for mergers and acquisitions. The agencies ensure that the merger
does not impact the nation's commerce adversely.

Gen-Probe, on April 30, announced its takeover by women's healthcare major
Hologic for $3.7 billion (or $82.75 a share).  The transaction is expected to
complete by third quarter of 2012. Gen-Probe believes that the merger will
leverage the women's Diagnostic product range of both the companies and
thereby increase the focus on the molecular diagnostics market. Further, the
acquisition will benefit the shareholders as it will offer additional cash
value to their shares.

Both the companies disclosed that the integration process is moving smoothly
and a planning team is vigorously working on important issues regarding proper
synthesis of every aspect of the business. However, the transaction is subject
to certain clearances and approval from the German Federal Cartel Office.

Perella Weinberg Partners and Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) have been appointed
financial advisors for Hologic while Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), will fulfill the same responsibilities
for Gen-Probe. On the other hand, Jones Day and Brown Rudnick LLP are acting
as legal advisors for Hologic while Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
and Cooley LLP will act as legal advisors for Gen-Probe.

Gen-Probe is a dominant player in the rapidly expanding nucleic acid testing
("NAT") market, the fastest growing segment in the clinical diagnostic market.
The company is a market leader in domestic gonorrhea and chlamydia testing
with its PACE and APTIMA assay product lines.

Gen-Probe competes with more established firms in the molecular diagnostic
industry such as Becton, Dickinson (NYSE:BDX). Currently, we have a long-term
Neutral recommendation on Gen-Probe, which is in tandem with a short-term
Zacks #3 Rank (Hold).

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.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

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
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.

Website: http://www.zacks.com