European Government Bonds May Fall Before German Factory Production Report

(Bloomberg) -- European government bonds may fall
before a report economists forecast will show German industrial
production rebounded in May, reinforcing speculation the European
Central Bank will keep raising interest rates to curb growth.

Government debt fell last week, sending yields near to near
a five-year high, after President Jean-Claude Trichet signaled
borrowing costs will rise further, and a report showed
manufacturing orders in Europe's largest economy gained more than
expected. Investors added to bets the ECB will lift its key rate
a half percentage point to 4.5 percent by the year-end.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

Trichet Says European States Must Implement Agreement to Balance Budgets

(Bloomberg) -- European Central Bank President Jean-
Claude Trichet said a three-month old European Union balanced-
budget agreement ``must be implemented,'' dismissing French
President Nicolas Sarkozy's call to loosen deficit controls.

Trichet's comments in an interview today in Aix-en-Provence,
southern France, marked the second time in four days he has
indirectly criticized Sarkozy, who has proposed 11 billion euros
($15 billion) of tax cuts to spur economic growth. Sarkozy wants
defense spending excluded from deficit calculations for France,
Germany, Italy and the U.K.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

Eastern U.S. to Sizzle in 100-Degree Heat as Fires Menace Western States

(Bloomberg) -- The eastern U.S. will sizzle in
triple-digit heat today as western states stay on alert for
lightning-caused wildfires, forecasters said. Texas faces more
soaking rain.

An excessive-heat warning was issued for noon to 6 p.m.
local time for New Jersey, southeastern Pennsylvania and
Delaware, where increasing humidity and temperatures may boost
the heat index to as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41
Celsius).


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Sony cuts price on PlayStation 3 by $100

(Reuters) - The PlayStation 3, which includes a 60-gigabyte hard drive and a Blu-ray high-definition DVD player, will now cost $500, or $20 more than the most expensive version of Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360.




The PS3 still costs twice that of Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s Wii console, whose $250 price and motion-sensing controller have made it a best-seller despite its lack of cutting-edge graphics and hard disk.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

Suburban office space demand grows with supply

(Reuters) - The amount of newly completed U.S. office space climbed to about 11.5 million square feet in the second quarter, and roughly 10 million of that was in the suburbs, according to the firm's U.S National Office Vacancy Index, released on Monday.




Tenants quickly claimed the new space, and more, absorbing 17 million square feet, with 14 million in suburban buildings.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

Barclays, Trinity, Mitchells & Butlers, Aviva: U.K., Irish Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may rise or fall
in U.K. and Irish markets today. Stock symbols are in parentheses
and prices are from the market close on July 6.

The benchmark FTSE 100 Index advanced 54.90, or 0.8 percent,
to close at 6690.10 in London as 68 stocks rose, 29 fell and five
were unchanged. The FTSE All-Share Index
gained 26.07, or 0.8 percent, to 3454.13.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

U.S. Economy's Rebound May Be Bumpier Than Fed Expects as Credit Tightens

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. economy's take-off from a
near standstill in the first quarter may prove bumpier than the
Federal Reserve and many on Wall Street expect as tighter credit
acts as a headwind to growth.

What started as a financing squeeze in the subprime-
mortgage market now threatens other parts of the economy.
Borrowing costs for companies are climbing as banks and
investors demand more for their money. Consumers feel the pinch
from rising interest rates and sagging house prices.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Australia's Newcastle Port Coal Price Drops for First Time in Nine Weeks

(Bloomberg) -- The price of power-station coal at
Newcastle fell for the first time in nine weeks from a record
as Australian shipments returned to normal after storms.

Coal from the world's largest export harbor for the fuel
in New South Wales fell 4.7 percent to $67.56 a metric ton in
the week ended July 6 from $70.88 in the previous week,
according to the globalCOAL NEWC Index.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Gold Little Changed in Asia as Dollar Advances Against Euro; Silver Falls

(Bloomberg) -- Gold was little changed in Asia amid
speculation a gain in the dollar may reduce the appeal of the
precious metal as a hedge against the U.S. currency. Silver
declined.

Gold often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar
which gained against the euro ahead of a speech tomorrow by
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke about inflation. Gold
has gained 2.8 percent so far this year while the dollar has
fallen 3.2 percent against the euro.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

Seoul's main index hits record

(Reuters) - Japanese shares -- notably machinery stocks like Fanuc Ltd. -- were boosted by stronger-than-expected May machinery orders data on Monday.




The robust figures cemented expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates as early as August, depressing the Japanese government bond market.


Read more at Reuters.com Hot Stocks News

South Korea's SK Telecom Co. to Sell Dollar Bonds as It Spends on Networks

(Bloomberg) -- SK Telecom Co., South Korea's largest
mobile-phone operator, plans to sell dollar-denominated bonds as
it boosts spending to grow its wireless business.

The Seoul-based carrier hired Credit Suisse Group, Merrill
Lynch & Co. and Morgan Stanley to arrange the sale, according to
an e-mail sent by one of the arrangers.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

UPDATE 1-ANZ financing China iron pellet plant for CVRD venture

(Reuters) - ANZ said Zhuhai YMP Yueyufeng Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., a joint
venture set up by Zhuhai Yueyufeng Iron & Steel Co. Ltd, Pioneer
Iron & Steel Group and CVRD in 2006, would build the iron ore
pellet plant in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.




Details of the financing were not immediately available.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

UPDATE 1-Dow Jones to meet with Ron Burkle - source

(Reuters) - A committee of Dow Jones's board is expected to meet with
the Los Angeles billionaire on Monday, the source said. Dow
Jones and Burkle were not immediately available for comment.




Burkle has been exploring a structure for Dow Jones that
would incorporate an employee stock ownership plan, sources
previously told Reuters.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

ANZ Pays $88 Million for 10 Percent Stake in Vietnam's Saigon Securities

(Bloomberg) -- Australia & New Zealand Banking Group
Ltd., Australia's third-largest lender, bought 10 percent of
Vietnam's Saigon Securities Inc., joining HSBC Holdings Plc and
Shinhan Bank in investing in the Southeast Asian nation.

Under the agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval
in Vietnam, ANZ will pay $88 million for the stake and may
appoint a representative to Saigon Securities' board, the
Melbourne-based bank said in a statement.


Read more at Bloomberg Emerging Markets News

Crude Oil Trades Near 10-Month High on Nigeria Risks, U.S. Gasoline Demand

(Bloomberg) -- Crude oil was little changed in New
York near a 10-month high on concern unrest in Nigeria may
disrupt shipments and U.S. gasoline supplies may be insufficient
during the peak summer demand period.

Crude output from Nigeria, Africa's biggest producer, is
threatened by insecurity, Total SA Chief Executive Officer
Christophe de Margerie said July 7. U.S. gasoline stockpiles are
3.5 percent below their five-year average, the Energy Department
said July 5.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Is Near Two-Week High on Inflation Outlook

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. 10-year Treasury yields held
near their highest in two weeks on speculation increasing
employment and wages will keep the Federal Reserve from
cutting interest rates this year.

Inflation expectations among traders rose for a third
day. Ten-year notes yielded 2.41 percentage points more than
inflation-protected securities, versus 2.39 percentage points
a week ago. The difference represents the rate of inflation
investors expect for the coming decade.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

Asian Stocks Resume July Rally on Economic Growth, Oil; Samsung Climbs

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks resumed their July rally
on signs economic growth in Japan and South Korea is accelerating
and as crude oil traded near a 10-month high.

Japan's Komatsu Ltd. gained the most in a week after a
government report showed machinery orders rose more than forecast
in May. Samsung Electronics Co. led the Kospi index to a fourth
straight high after the commerce ministry raised its forecast for
South Korean exports. BHP Billiton Ltd., Australia's largest oil
explorer, climbed for an eighth day.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Rand to Gain 12.5 Percent Versus Yen on Uridashi Bond Sales, Okasan Says

(Bloomberg) -- The rand may gain 12.5 percent
against the yen after a three-fold increase in sales of South
African bonds to Japanese investors, said Tsutomu Soma, a
dealer at Okasan Securities Co. in Tokyo.

The currency has risen 3.8 percent versus the yen in
2007 as the difference in yield between two-year South
African and Japanese bonds widened to a three-year high of
8.462 percentage points. Sales of rand Uridashi bonds, local
currency debt sold to individual investors in Japan, climbed
248 percent to $652.9 million in the first half from a year
earlier, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Boeing unveils 787 Dreamliner amid order flurry

(Reuters) - The elaborate unveiling ceremony, at the company's Everett, Washington plant, gave the crowds their first full look at the mid-sized, long-range jetliner, which has sold well early on and is Boeing's first all-new plane in 12 years.




Thousands more watched the event -- hosted by former TV news anchor Tom Brokaw -- live at Qwest Field stadium in nearby Seattle, and Boeing broadcast the ceremony worldwide on satellite television.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

Yen Declines as Improving Global Economic Growth Encourages Carry Trades

(Bloomberg) -- The yen fell to a record low against
the euro and a 16-year low against the Australian dollar as signs
of stronger global growth gave investors more confidence to buy
higher-yielding currencies with money borrowed in Japan.

Japan's yen has declined against all of the 16 most-traded
currencies since a July 6 report showed U.S. payrolls increased
faster than expected, suggesting growth in the world's biggest
economy is improving. The yen has dropped 13 percent against the
euro and 19 percent versus Australia's currency in the past year.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Toshiba Shares Rise After Talks on Selling Part of Its Westinghouse Stake

(Bloomberg) -- Shares of Toshiba Corp., Japan's
biggest maker of nuclear reactors by capacity, rose after the
company said it is in talks to sell part of its stake in
Westinghouse Electric Co. to a Kazakhstan state-run company.

The stock climbed 3.1 percent to 1,086 yen as of 9:08 a.m.
on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, outperforming the 0.6 percent
advance in the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average. Keisuke Ohmori,
a spokesman for Tokyo-based Toshiba, said on July 7 the company
is in talks with Kazatomprom, a uranium importer and exporter,
about selling part of its Westinghouse stake.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Japan's Bonds Drop for Fourth Day After Machinery Orders Beat Expectations

(Bloomberg) -- Japan's 10-year bonds fell for a
fourth day after government report showed machinery orders rose
for a second month in May, increasing speculation the central
bank will raise interest rates next month.

Yields on benchmark 10-year bonds rose 2 basis points to
1.95 percent as of 9:11 a.m. in Tokyo at Japan Bond Trading Co.,
the nation's largest interdealer debt broker.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

ICE won't raise offer for CBOT - WSJ

(Reuters) - At Friday's closing prices CME's bid was worth about $11.9
billion, including a one-time special dividend by CBOT payable
upon the deal closing. ICE's bid valued CBOT at about $11.8
billion.




ICE and CBOT could not be immediately reached for comment.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Dow Jones to meet with other bidders: WSJ

(Reuters) - Burkle has been exploring a structure for Dow Jones that
would incorporate an employee stock ownership plan, the report
said. A committee of Dow Jones's board is expected to meet with
Burkle on Monday, the report said.




Dow Jones and News Corp. continue to negotiate a potential
deal, with an agreement on price possible soon, the report
said.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

FEATURE-Rural towns struggle in two-speed Britain

(Reuters) - "I want to go to university and stay there, wherever I am."




She is not alone. Thousands of young Britons are deserting
rural towns such as Melton in search for opportunity in bigger
cities such as London and Manchester.


Read more at Reuters.com Economic News

New Zealand Dollar May Gain on Prospect of Another Interest Rate Increase

(Bloomberg) -- The New Zealand dollar may rise this
week on speculation reports will show inflation isn't abating as
fast as the central bank wants, which may prompt an increase in
its record-high benchmark interest rate.

New Zealand Institute of Economic Research Inc.'s quarterly
survey of business opinion tomorrow may show a shortage of
workers and capacity constraints in the economy are forcing
companies to raise prices. Government figures on July 16 may
show inflation accelerated to 0.9 percent in the second quarter,
faster then the 0.7 percent rate predicted by the central bank,
according to Westpac Banking Corp.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Nippon Sheet Glass, Pioneer, Tokyu Store, Gulliver: Japan's Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may move in
Japanese markets on July 9. Prices are as of the close of trading.
Statements were released after the close. Stock symbols are in
parentheses.

FP Corp. (7947 JO): The food container maker was rated
``buy'' in a new coverage at Nikko Citigroup. The stock fell 50
yen, or 1.3 percent, to 3,900.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Crude Oil Trades Near a 10-Month High on Nigeria, North Sea Supply Risks

(Bloomberg) -- Crude oil was little changed near a
10-month high on concern unrest in Nigeria and maintenance of a
North Sea oil field will reduce supplies.

The main militant group in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger
River delta region condemned the kidnapping of a 3-year-old
British girl. Brent oil, produced in the North Sea, is also
rising because of planned maintenance at a field in the region.
Refineries in California, Texas and Kansas have shut or slowed
operations this week.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

New US rules to secure best prices on share trades

(Reuters) - Regulation NMS will initially be applicable to 250 stocks.
The rules will extend to all National Market System securities
by Aug. 20.




The new regulations require brokers to sweep through the 13
major regulated exchanges to check price quotes to ensure they
are getting the best price for their clients.


Read more at Reuters.com Government Filings News

Gilead shares could head higher - Barron's

(Reuters) - "For the past 20 years, I have been asked every year if the
growth now will slow," Barron's quotes Chief Executive John
Martin as saying. "It hasn't and won't. I continue to see
developing value for stockholders. I continue to see a very
exciting future for this company."




Gilead, which could be a potential takeover target, is
eyeing acquisition as well as stock buybacks, Barron's
reported.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

SonoSite shares could head lower - Barron's

(Reuters) - "We believe our share of this market will grow rapidly,"
Barron's quotes Omar Ishrak, chief executive of GE's Healthcare
Clinical Systems unit, as saying.




In addition, SonoSite is embroiled in a patent dispute with
GE that, if it loses, "could be crippling to SonoSite,
considering the company's one-dimensional product line," Sean
D. Lavin, an analyst with Oppenheimer & Co., told Barron's.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

S.African metal, engineering sector set for strike

(Reuters) - About 260,000 South African workers in the metal and engineering sector are due to launch a strike on Monday over a wage dispute, unions said on Sunday.

The open-ended strike will affect more than 9,000 firms, including Bell Equipment and the Scaw Metals Group, owned by mining group Anglo American Plc, Solidarity union chief negotiator Johan Pieterse told Reuters.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Algeria, KBR sign $2.88 bln LNG plant deal

(Reuters) - Algerian state energy firm Sonatrach signed a $2.88 billion contract with U.S. firm KBR Inc

to build a liquified natural gas (LNG) plant at eastern Skikda port, a state-owned newspaper reported on Sunday.


Read more at Reuters Africa

M&S designer Davies set to stand down

(Reuters) - The man behind Marks & Spencer's

Per Una womenswear range, George Davies, is set to stand down from the clothes-to-food retailer later this year, The Sunday Telegraph reported.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Companies earnings back in Asia focus

(Reuters) - Corporate earnings and outlooks from top Asian and U.S. firms in coming weeks are set to shape the trading landscape for Asian stocks, which along with global shares hit record highs in the first week of July.

Samsung Electronics, the world's top memory chip maker, Infosys Technologies Ltd., India's No. 2 software exporter, and Singapore Press Holdings, Southeast Asia's biggest newspaper publisher, are among major firms due to announce results this week.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Bayer's blood-clot drug beats Lovenox in key study

(Reuters) - The news confirms the German drugmaker's leadership in the multibillion-dollar race to bring a new class of oral anticoagulants to market.




Results of a large Phase III trial showed only 9.6 percent of patients given rivaroxaban experienced venous thromboembolism , or blood clots, following total knee replacement against 18.9 percent of those on Sanofi-Aventis SA's Lovenox.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News