European Stocks May Decline; UBS, ING, Philips, BHP Billiton Might Drop

(Bloomberg) -- European stocks may fall, following
declines in Asia and the U.S., as concern mounts that losses in
the U.S. mortgage market will erode economic growth and raise
financing costs for companies.

UBS AG and ING Groep NV may lead financial stocks lower.
U.S.-traded shares of Royal Philips Electronics NV and Nokia Oyj
dropped as the dollar traded near a record low against the euro.
BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group declined in Australian
trading after copper fell in Shanghai.


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European Stocks Climb, Paced by Imperial Chemicals, Linde, BHP Billiton

(Bloomberg) -- European stocks rose for the first
time in five days, led by chemical makers and mining companies,
after Imperial Chemical Industries Plc rejected a sweetened bid
from Dutch rival Akzo Nobel NV and copper rose in London.

ICI jumped the most in more than a month. Linde AG, the
world's largest maker of industrial gases, also gained after
reporting earnings that topped analysts' estimates. BHP Billiton
Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group led mining shares higher.


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European Mining Stocks Advance, Led by BHP Billiton, Rio; IKB Tumbles

(Bloomberg) -- European mining stocks rose, led by
BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group, as copper increased.

IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG tumbled 18 percent after the
German lender that invested in U.S. subprime mortgages said
profit will be ``significantly'' lower than forecast.


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FTSE 100 Benchmark Index Drops, Paced by Rio Tinto; Punch Taverns Declines

(Bloomberg) -- The U.K. FTSE 100 Index dropped to a
two month low, paced by Rio Tinto Group and Antofagasta Plc as
copper prices retreated in New York.

Punch Taverns Plc led pub companies lower after Goldman,
Sachs & Co. removed the pub owner from its ``conviction buy''
list. Shares of British Energy Plc tumbled.


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UPDATE 1-Rio Tinto says to unwind Alcan hedgebook

(Reuters) - "Assuming we go through with the deal, it will all be wound
down," a Rio Tinto spokesman said on Monday.




Rio's policy is not to hedge -- make future sales at a known
price -- any of the commodities it produces, and it intends to
bring Alcan into line with this.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Rises to Record, Led by Woodside: Rio Tinto Slips

(Bloomberg) -- Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index rose,
set for a record high. Woodside Petroleum Ltd. and Roc Oil Co. led
gains after crude oil climbed to an 11-month high on speculation
maintenance closures in the North Sea may limit global supplies.

Rio Tinto Group fell for a second day after announcing it had
agreed to buy Alcan Inc. for $38.1 billion, increasing its debt.


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Copa Holdings, Fleetwood, Playtex, Spectrum Brands: U.S. Equity Movers

(Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies
whose shares are having unusual price changes in U.S. exchanges
today. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names.
Share prices are as of 11:40 a.m. New York time.

Alcoa Inc. (AA US) rose $1.91, or 4.2 percent, to $47.20.
The world's second-biggest aluminum maker said yesterday it
withdrew its unsolicited takeover bid for aluminum producer Alcan
Inc. (AL US) after Rio Tinto Group (RIO AU) made a higher offer
of $38.1 billion. Separately, Credit Suisse Group increased its
share-price estimate for Alcoa by 22 percent to $55, saying that
takeover speculation would support the stock. Alcan shares fell
45 cents to $98.


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Miners boost S.Africa stocks; outlook hits Angloplat

(Reuters) - South African shares muscled to a record high on Thursday as a stronger gold price and Rio Tinto's bid for Alcan powered mining stocks but Anglo Platinum sank on a disappointing trading update.

The Johannesburg Top-40 index of blue-chip stocks rose 0.54 percent to 27,028.86 points, a historic closing peak, while the All-share index gained 0.49 percent to 29,789.95 points, also a record.


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Canadian Stocks Gain on Takeover Talk; Alcan, Research in Motion Advance

(Bloomberg) -- Canadian stocks rose for a third time in
four days and headed for a weekly gain, as takeover speculation
lifted shares of raw-materials producers and telephone companies.

Alcan Inc. advanced on a report that Rio Tinto Group hired
bankers to help it consider a bid for the aluminum maker. Telus
Corp. extended gains made following BCE Inc.'s takeover last week
in the biggest buyout. Research in Motion Ltd. fell after reaching
a record yesterday.


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European Stocks Rise on Fed Comments; Daimler, Axa, Rio Tinto Pace Gains

(Bloomberg) -- European stocks advanced for a second
day, led by exporters and mining companies, after the U.S.
Federal Reserve said the world's largest economy is growing
without spurring inflation and copper prices increased in Asia.

DaimlerChrysler AG and Axa SA led an advance by companies
that rely on the U.S. for revenue. Rio Tinto Group, the world's
third-biggest mining company, climbed to a record. Cadbury
Schweppes Plc gained on expectations the world's largest
confectioner may get offers for its U.S. drinks unit.


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