Bloomington-based Plato Learning failed last fall in a bid to acquire Renaissance Learning when a federal judge in Wisconsin refused to halt an original merger offer so Plato could make a competing bid.
But last week Plato announced a $291 million deal to acquire Archipelago Learning, an online learning company based in Dallas.
This time around, Plato has the inside track on a deal that analysts are expecting will be successful. Plato's offer for Archipelago was the result of an extended evaluation of strategic alternatives by Archipelago Learning's board.
Alexander Paris Jr., an analyst with Barrington Research Associates, wrote: "We suspect it is likely to go through as proposed given the 'extended' evaluation, which included a formal competitive process."
FITCH AFFIRMS RATINGS
ON AMERIPRISE
Last week Fitch Ratings affirmed its ratings on the corporate debt of Ameriprise Financial.
The rating company maintained its "A" rating for Ameriprise's issuer default rating, its "A-" rating for senior unsecured debt and the insurer financial strength ratings of its primary life insurance subsidiaries at "AA-."
Fitch Ratings analyst Andrew Davidson said in a statement: "The rating affirmation reflects AMP's very strong balance sheet fundamentals, good profitability, and favorable market positions characterized by significant scale and strong competitive stance."
PATRICK KENNEDY
