Axiom's Anthony: Costolo Removal Puts Twitter Into Play, Google Is The 'Logical' Acquirer

Shares of Twitter Inc (NYSE: TWTR) are rallying in Friday’s session, up 1 percent. Former CEO Dick Costolo stepped down from the role last night.

Victor Anthony, an analyst at Axiom, believes Costolo stepping down puts the company into play.

Anthony rates the social media company at Hold alongside a targeted price of $45.

He notes, “We are positive on the CEO transition, we think the Board should consider a seasoned and accomplished executive within the technology space and that may require seeking someone outside the firm.” Anthony shares a few candidates that would be great -- in his opinion -- for the new role: Omid Kordestani of Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG), Tim Armstrong of AOL, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), and John Donahoe of eBay Inc (NASDAQ: EBAY).

The new CEO, he added, should spend great efforts in pushing out product iterations at a fast pace. He suggested Google is the "logical" acquirer of Twitter, commenting it “would be a wise use of Google’s capital.” Facebook Inc (NASDAQ: FB) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) are also in the mix as well, he added, along with TENCENT HOLDINGS ADR (OTC: TCEHY) or Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE: BABA).