NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 18, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Kahn Gauthier Swick, LLC announces that it has commenced an investigation following news that market research company NetRatings Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRT) is considering a buyout offer from its majority shareholder -- VNU Group BV ("VNU").
According to a statement by the company, Netherlands-based VNU -- parent of ACNielsen and Nielsen Media Research -- has offered $16-per-share, or little more than $225 million, to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the company it does not currently own. VNU already dominates NetRatings as a result of its current 60.5% ownership interest in the company.
The initial stages of KGS' investigation indicate that the VNU offer may substantially undervalue NetRatings' assets and goodwill. KGS is investigating whether VNU's buyout offer is low in light of possible hidden tax assets and patent litigation assets, which may not have been valued, or may have been undervalued, in this offer.
Institutional Investors and Fund Managers are encouraged to assist in the KGS investigation. Investors with knowledge regarding the undervaluation of VNU's buyout offer, or with knowledge of facts that demonstrate the unfairness of the bidding or evaluation process, are encouraged to contact KGS, as soon as possible, without obligation or cost to you.