FACTBOX-Recent major U.S. corporate convictions

(Reuters) - Here is a list of some top executives convicted recently in
major U.S. corporate scandals:




* CONRAD BLACK - the media baron faces up to 30 years in
prison after being found guilty earlier this month of criminal
fraud and obstruction of justice in swindling former media
giant Hollinger International Inc. Sentencing is later this
year.


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Pioneer Natural says has option to raise Midkiff-Benedum stake

(Reuters) - On Friday, Atlas completed purchase of about 73 percent
interest in the system from Anadarko Petroleum .





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UPDATE 2-Brazil's Vivo bids for two smaller rivals

(Reuters) - Brazilian business daily Gazeta Mercantil reported on
Friday that Vivo had agreed to buy Telemig and Amazonia for
about 3.5 billion reais . Telemig denied it had
been sold.




An acquisition of Telemig would give Vivo a much-coveted
foothold in Minas Gerais, the only state where it does not have
coverage.


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Swiss Franc Records Largest Weekly Gain Against Euro Since March on Risk

(Bloomberg) -- The Swiss franc had its biggest
weekly gain against the euro in more than four months as a slump
in global stocks prompted traders to pay back loans in
Switzerland used to buy higher-yielding assets elsewhere.

The franc advanced against the Australian and New Zealand
dollars as investors unwound so-called carry trades that take
advantage of borrowing costs in Switzerland, which are the
second lowest among major economies. New Zealand's key interest
rate is 5.75 percentage points higher than the Swiss benchmark.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Sepracor results miss; stock plunges

(Reuters) - Net profit fell to $6.1 million, or 5 cents a share, from $11 million, or 10 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts had on average expected earnings of 36 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates.




Revenue rose a less-than-expected 5 percent to $278.1 million, with sales of insomnia drug Lunesta growing just 3 percent to $143.0 million as it struggled to fight off competition from a generic version of rival Ambien.


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Emerging Market Bonds Decline as Investor Aversion to Riskier Assets Rises

(Bloomberg) -- Emerging-market bonds declined,
reversing earlier gains, as investors resumed selling riskier,
higher-yielding assets on mounting concern about losses related
to subprime mortgages.

The extra yield over U.S. Treasuries that investors demand
to hold the developing nation debt has soared to the highest in
more than a year. Argentine debt, among the riskiest in emerging
markets, has posted the biggest declines.


Read more at Bloomberg Emerging Markets News

IPO VIEW-Weak market seen likely to hurt new offerings

(Reuters) - The Dow Jones industrials average dropped again on Friday,
adding to the losses suffered on Thursday as investors dumped
stocks on deepening signs of weakness in the housing market and
deterioration in the credit market. Thursday marked the worst
single session since the Feb. 27 global market sell-off.




The market slump sets a tough environment for new
offerings, analysts said.


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