Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Friday June 8, 2012

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Friday June 8, 2012:

GlaxoSmithKline Extends Human Genome Sciences Tender Offer To June 29

The Offer:
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) extended its unsolicited tender offer to June 29 on Friday, to acquire all the outstanding common shares of Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) at a price of $13.00 per share in cash.

Human Genome Sciences responded, saying the Board of Directors had rejected GSK's unsolicited $13.00 per share tender offer after determining, in consultation with financial and legal advisors, that the GSK offer price is inadequate and does not reflect the value inherent in HGS.

Human Genome's Board reiterated that it has authorized the exploration of strategic alternatives in the best interests of stockholders, including a potential sale of the Company.

Human Genome Sciences closed at $13.32 Friday, a gain of 0.68% on lower than average volume.

J & J Snack Foods Announces Acquisition of Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels

The Deal:
J & J Snack Foods (NASDAQ: JJSF) announced Friday that it has acquired the assets of Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels, a small soft pretzel company based in Chicago which features all natural premium pretzels. Each Kim & Scott's all-natural pretzel is twisted by hand and made from scratch. The pretzels, which offer flavors including stuffed grilled cheese and stuffed pizza, are a great source of whole grains and free from trans fats, preservatives and hydrogenated oils.

J & J Snack Foods closed at $56.06 Friday, a gain of 0.86% on average volume.

Samsung Reportedly Looking at Nokia Acquisition

The Rumor:
Korea's Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) is rumored to have an interest in acquiring Finland's Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK). This according to Sanoma News. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has also been mentioned recently and in past months as a potential buyer.

Nokia closed at $3.02 on Friday, a gain of 6.71 on twice the average daily volume.

Google Rumored to be Making Bid for Akamai Technologies

The Rumor:
Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is rumored to have an interest in acquiring Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: AKAM), according to sources. In March, Akamai was rumored to have hired JP Morgan to explore strategic alternatives, including a possible buyout. In January there was chatter of offers from Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T (NYSE: T) of $40 per share.

A spokesperson for Akamai Technologies would not comment on the rumor. A Google spokesperson was not available.

Akamai Technologies closed at $30.12 on Friday, a gain of 3.61% on average volume.

Hearing Renewed Chatter of Verizon Interest in Netflix

The Rumor:
Verizon (NYSE: VZ) is once again rumored to have an interest in acquiring Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), according to sources. In March, there was a report that Verizon had offered $150 per share for Netflix. In April, Netflix was rumored to have hired Goldman Sachs as an adviser to explore strategic alternatives, but they would not confirm it.

Spokespersons for both Verizon and Netflix would not comment on the rumor.

Netflix closed at $65.64 on Friday, a gain of 1.55% on lower than average volume.