Analysts have pegged online classifieds leader Monster Worldwide as an acquisition target, adding that a takeover by Google, which is building its own classifieds engine called Google Base, would be a
particularly smart match for both companies. A takeover is still pure speculation, but neither company would confirm or deny interest in a union. Monster Worldwide would cost Google, which has $7.6
billion in cash and a stock valued at 50 times yearly earnings, approximately $5 billion. The online classifieds company is growing healthily--sales are expected to jump 19 percent this year and
profits should be up 35 percent. Analysts told CNNMoney.com that at the very least, Google needs to enter into a partnership with a large classifieds provider to build up Google Base so it can compete
with the likes of Craigslist, Yahoo! HotJobs, and of course, Monster, should no deal occur. If it doesn't, other big companies like News Corp. could be waiting in the wings to scoop up Monster.
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