An "I do" is always better than an "I due"
It was a perfect marriage. This week's announcement that The Knot (NASDAQ:KNOT) was acquiring rival wedding-planning site WeddingChannel.com was a match made in heaven. Until earlier this year, the two companies were scuffling over The Knot diving into Wedding Channel's niche of online bridal registries.
A lawsuit loomed until the two companies made nice, mutually agreeing to delay their courtroom confrontation. The logical explanation was that an out-of-court settlement was in the works, but it was clearly greater than that. The two companies were smitten, and it makes perfect sense.
The Knot has been on a roll financially. The only dark cloud was the potential liability tied to the lawsuit, and the merger clears that sky up in a hurry.
The corporate nuptials came as welcome news to Motley Fool Rule Breakers subscribers. The shares were recommended to readers earlier this year and have gone on to appreciate by 51.6% since earning the growth stock newsletter's nod.
Google works out with Eight Minute Apps
There has never been any doubt that Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is aiming for just one company, and it's not Yahoo! (NASDAQ:YHOO). Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has always been the one in Google's crosshairs, and the target became even clearer after the company began dabbling in online spreadsheets this week.
Couple that with Google's acquisition of online word processor specialist Writely, and Google is inching closer to an Internet-based, free, ad-supported substitute to Microsoft's popular Office suite of killer applications.
Google's moves aren't fatal to Mr. Softy but, if successful, could seriously devalue Microsoft's flagship software business beyond its operating system stronghold.
Watch this. Closely. For once, a spreadsheet isn't just the source of analytical data but also food for thought for fundamental change.
Until next week, I remain,
Rick Munarriz
The Knot is a Rule Breakers pick. Take the newsletter for a 30-day free spin.
Microsoft is a Motley Fool Inside Value pick.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz does not own shares in any of the companies in this story. The Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early.
