Here are three key updates for you: Bloomin’ Brands Inc., 2U Inc. and Agilent Technologies Inc.

Article Excerpt

BLOOMIN’ BRANDS INC. $23 is worth holding given the likelihood of a lucrative takeover bid. The company (Nasdaq symbol BLMN; Consumer Sector; Shares outstanding: 86.9 million; Market cap: $2.0 billion; Dividend yield 3.6%; Takeover Target Rating: Highest; www.bloominbrands.com) owns and franchises more than 1,470 restaurants in 48 states and 21 countries. Its restaurant brands include Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill. The company owns about 80% of those restaurants. Activist investor Jana Partners owns 7% of the company and feels Bloomin’ Brands is undervalued. Under that pressure, the company is now exploring strategic options, including a merger with another firm or putting itself up for sale. It’s also possible that Bloomin’ Brands could spin off some of its smaller restaurants to investors. That would leave Outback as a separate company to operate on its own. Since the company went public in August 2012, the stock has gained 76% for investors compared to a 139% gain for the S&P 500. Jana’s involvement should help draw investor attention to…