The Lex Column:
*Power games - Vivendi (VIV) is injecting its fully owned games business into US rival Activision in return for a controlling stake. Why?
*UK defence spending - the UK needs aircraft carriers if the prime minister is to be taken seriously by other world leaders. So the decision to start cutting steel on the £4 billion programme to build two new carriers should be imminent.
*US property risks - The aftershocks of the sub-prime residential lending crash could hit lenders with a second real estate-related punch, if the highly leveraged commercial property market succumbs.
The Tony Jackson on Monday Column:
*Prospects of an equity fall are as worrying as the credit crisis.
Further news:
*Dexion raises £460-million more than expected.
*Why a seventies-style whiff of stagflation may soon be in the air.
*Prospects of an equities fall as worrying as the credit crisis.
*Michael Grade seeks to inject X-factor into ITV (ITV).
The Economic View Column:
*Sub-prime debacle is not the big story.
Business Big Shot:
*Ian Burke.
Feature:
*In a world of mega-mergers and takeover gossip, where next will the miners strike?
Monday Manifesto:
*Moir Lockhead of FirstGroup (FGP).
Further news:
*Secrets of Shell (RDSA) & Rolls-Royce (RR.) come under attack from China's spies.
*Internet guerilla attacks exposes Unilever (ULVR) 'hyprocisy' of Dove girls and dirty dancers.
*Dollar faces new sell-off if Gulf states end greenback pegs.
The Stephen King Column:
*Central bankers must place bets in a game where losing is the key – When financial systems implode, the economy typically follows soon after.
The Small Talk Column:
*Creston's (CRE) steep fall should be followed by upturn.
*Mixed signals from IVA investors.
*Armor Design ready to face flak.
Further news:
*Cadbury’s (CBRY) memo shows factory closure is not needed, says union.
*RBS (RBS) under pressure to calm nervous investors.
*According to a report in the ‘Telegraph, Virgin's bankers have not agreed fundng for Northern Rock (NRK) bid .
*Chancellor, Alistair Darling, is hoping Northern Rock's (NRK) future can be decided before Christmas, as his officials encourage the troubled bank to look beyond Virgin, its preferred bidder.
*Vincent Tchenguiz has sealed a £760-million long-term debt package with Merrill Lynch and HBOS (HBOS).
*A consortium, led by Standard Chartered (STAN) has signed a £27-million loan to Bangladeshi microfinance institution Brac.
*Tesco (TSCO) is breaking with tradition by moving into the hard-discount market, to build a substantial US convenience chain with 1,000 stores in 5-years.
*Vivendi (VIV) is set to take control of Activision of the US through an alliance that would create the world's biggest video games publisher.
*Embattled small-cap investor Peter Webb has launched a blistering attack on rebel shareholders, ahead of a crucial meeting that will almost certainly spell the end of Eaglet Investment Trust.
*MFI to open a 750,000 sq ft national distribution centre in Yorkshire.
*Dell (DEC) to consolidate its marketing, advertising and communications into a single public relations group, which will be led by WPP Group (WPP) in a deal worth $4.5-billion.
*Private equity owners have put the Guinness Book of Records up for sale with a £60-million price tag.
SOME ITEMS THAT COULD INFLUENCE SHARE PRICES
*This week's interest rate vote from the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee looks like being a nail-biter.
*More pleas for a rate cut as interbank loans dive.
*Bargain hunters packed shopping centres in record numbers at the weekend as fears that Christmas would be hit by a cash crisis prove unfounded.
*UK manufacturing companies have experienced the strongest trading conditions for more than a decade in 2007.
*Centrica (CNA) chief warns of lack of gas storage.
*Great British scientists have developed a ‘genetic weapon’ that could defeat 'superbugs' such as MRSA.
*Lord Ashdown has been offered a new post as joint UN-NATO envoy in Afghanistan.
*For the first time China has indicated clear support for fresh UN sanctions against Iran.
*President Putin's party heads for victory in Russian poll.
*In a Financial Times interview, FedEx chief Fred Smith warns that global growth will not be enough to counter a US slowdown.
*US Federal Reserve aims to ease strain in money markets with a cut in lending rate 'being considered'.
*US pension deficits shrinking by more than 90% in a year.
*A severe bout of illiquidity has hit €urzone government bonds.
*Kazakhstan preparing to tighten the fiscal regime at oil fields and increase state ownership of its Caspian development.
*Merrill Lynch chief John Thain plans to revamp the senior management culture in part as an effort to emulate his former employer Goldman Sachs.
*Setanta Sports on track to break even.
*Internet advertising expected to overtake magazines by 2010.
Compiled in association with HB PLC and WH Ireland Ltd
