Covad Communications (COVD) purchases stake in Loop Telecom

   *  Amount:         $50 million

   *  Terms:            n/a

   *  Premium:        n/a

   *  Industry:        ISPs/Access providers

   *  Scorecard:      B

SANTA CLARA, Sept. 14--Covad Communications , a U.S.-based broadband services provider utilizing DSL technology, and its newly formed Covad Communications International, B.V., announced its first European investment, an agreement to purchase a majority share of Loop Telecom, Spain's first full-service broadband service provider for small and medium sized businesses. Under the agreement, Covad will acquire Loop Holdings Europe AsP, which holds shares representing a 70% interest in privately held Loop Telecom, for $15 million US and notes for additional payments of $15 million US six months after close and $20 million US one year after close.

 

 Homestore.com (HOMS) acquires The Hessel Group

   *  Amount:         Undisclosed

   *  Terms:            n/a

   *  Premium:        n/a

   *  Industry:        Content/Communities

   *  Scorecard:      A-

THOUSAND OAKS, Sept. 14--Homestore.com, an Internet home and real estate network, announced that it has acquired The Hessel Group, a provider of technology-driven solutions and services to the relocation industry. For over a decade, the Hessel Group has provided services to many Fortune 500 companies and their transferring employees as well as relocation management organizations that support them. Homestore.com will integrate THG into a new unit to be called Homestore Mobility Technologies. Financial terms were not disclosed.

 

 Baltimore Technologies (BALT) acquires Content Technologies

   *  Amount:         $992 million

   *  Terms:            91 million shares

   *  Premium:        n/a

   *  Industry:        Security

   *  Scorecard:      B-

LONDON, Sept. 14--Baltimore Technologies, the Irish e-security company, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire U.K.-based Content Technologies Holdings to boost its offering of security products to corporate customers. The total consideration is 91 million Baltimore Technologies' shares, valuing Content Technologies at approximately $992 million.

 

 O2, Essential Marketing Technologies (THD) to acquire LookSonic.com stake

   *  Amount:         Undisclosed

   *  Terms:            n/a

   *  Premium:        n/a

   *  Industry:        Internet services

   *  Scorecard:      C

MARINA DEL REY, Sept. 14--O2, Essential Marketing Technologies announced plans to acquire a controlling majority interest in LookSonic.com, a developer of a commercial builder technology that empowers an Internet business to sell, build and implement Internet commercials on their web site quickly and efficiently. The deal is intended to help position O2 to become a leader in providing interactive marketing technologies for content rich web site businesses and offline businesses seeking highly effective Internet marketing. Under the terms of the deal, O2 will acquire 50.1% of LookSonic.com in exchange for the issuance of options to purchase 150,000 shares of O2 at 8 1/2.

 

 Watchout! (WTCH) acquires Cormax Businesss Solutions (CVLC)

   *  Amount:         $6.2 million

   *  Terms:            stock swap

   *  Premium:        n/a

   *  Industry:        Consultants/Designers

   *  Scorecard:      C

CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 14--High-Technology Incubator Watchout! has acquired Cormax Business Solutions, developer of Watchout!'s new Web site launched this past July, in a $6.2-million (USD) share exchange. The positioning of Cormax Business Solutions' executives is expected to direct the development of Watchout!, establishing a solid foundation and sound business practices for the corporation, while enhancing share value. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

 vitacost.com presents merger offer to MotherNature.com (MTHR)

   *  Amount:         Undisclosed

   *  Terms:            n/a

   *  Premium:        n/a

   *  Industry:        E-tailers

   *  Scorecard:      n/a

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., Sept. 14--vitacost.com, an online wholesaler of nutritional supplements and comprehensive resource for nutraceutical information, announced that it has submitted a formal offer letter to merge with MotherNature.com on a one-for-one share basis. Vitacost.com presently has approximately 27,425,000 shares outstanding, and MotherNature.com approximately 15,153,590.