Rubber Falls as Yen Advances Against U.S. Dollar, China Imports Decline

(Bloomberg) -- Rubber futures in Tokyo fell for the
first day in four as the yen strengthened to its highest in more
than six weeks against the dollar and China reported imports of
the commodity declined last month.

A gain in Japan's currency damps the value of yen-
denominated contracts for commodities such as rubber, which
trades globally in dollars. China's natural rubber imports
dropped 1 percent in June to 118,417 metric tons from a year ago,
the Beijing-based Customs General Administration said today.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

Russia's Urals Oil Steady as European Refining Margins Recover From Lows

(Bloomberg) -- Urals crude, Russia's export blend, was
little changed against benchmark prices in northwestern Europe
after recent losses stemmed a decline in refining profitability.

The price of Urals cargoes loading within 10 to 25 days
remained at a discount to dated Brent of minus $2.65 a barrel on
July 20, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, unchanged from
July 19.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

UPDATE 1-Barclays gets nod to buy stake in China trust firm

(Reuters) - SHANGHAI/BEIJING, July 23 - Barclays has
won regulatory approval to buy into a Chinese trust company,
securing a foothold in the country's fast-growing asset
management sector, two sources familiar with the situation said
on Monday.




London-based Barclays Bank Plc will be allowed to buy a
nearly 20 percent stake in New China Trust & Investment Co., one
of the country's oldest trust firms, after negotiations for more
than one year between the two companies, the sources said.


Read more at Reuters.com Government Filings News

U.K. Natural Gas Declines as on Forecast That Supplies May Outstrip Demand

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. natural gas costs fell as
forecasts indicated supplies may outstrip expected consumption of
the fuel today.

Gas for same-day delivery declined as much as 2 pence, or
5.9 percent, to 32 pence a therm, according to prices on
Bloomberg from the broker ICAP Plc. It traded at 32.50 pence at
8:31 a.m. London time. That's equivalent to $6.70 a million
British thermal units. A therm is 100,000 Btus.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

FTSE gains as Barclays ups ABN bid, insurers buoy

(Reuters) - The FTSE 100 of Britain's leading shares edged higher on Monday as merger and acquisition activity boosted stocks at the start of a busy week for corporate earnings.

At 0806 GMT, the UK's main share index was up 9.9 points, or 0.2 percent at 6,595.1.


Read more at Reuters Africa

U.K. Stocks Rebound, Paced by Prudential, Resolution; Barclays Advances

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. stocks climbed, rebounding from
last week's decline, led by Friends Provident Plc after Resolution
Plc said its in ``advanced'' talks to merge with the insurer.

Prudential Plc and Legal & General Group Plc paced the gains
after UBS AG recommended investors buy the shares. Barclays Plc
rose after the bank increased its offer for ABN Amro Holding NV.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Japan Bonds Gain on Speculation Investors Sought Safety of Government Deb

(Bloomberg) -- Japan's bonds headed for the longest
winning streak since November on speculation a decline in
emerging-market debt and equities will prompt investors to seek
the relative safety of government securities.

The Japanese 10-year yield fell to the lowest in almost
three weeks as a drop in U.S. stocks extended to Asia. The yield
premium required to compensate buyers for the extra risk of
holding emerging-market debt compared with similar-maturity U.S.
Treasuries climbed to the highest since March, according to
JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s EMBI Plus index.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News