Speculation has buzzed around several local firms, but it's anybody's guess.
Share prices remain high and a CEO sitting atop a lofty share price has lots of buying power.
Takeovers are often paid for with the stock of the company that's buying. But, as Mark Hoonsbeen also points out, companies are also flush with cash. Hoonsbeen manages a mutual fund for IAI in Minneapolis, where he has been an active investor in regional stocks. He says that cash may be used for mergers. At this point in the cycle, with large cash balances, companies are more inclined to look at acquisitions whether they be strategic or tactical acquisitions to try to grow their businesses.