The Lex Column:
*Oreful realities - As the big three iron ore suppliers prepare to sit down opposite steelmakers to hammer out next' year's prices they could have a whole pack of trump cards.
*RBS's (RBS) capital position - Royal Bank of Scotland's shares fell more than 15% last week and have lost almost half their value this year. Investors are worried about RBS's capital position.
*Quiet periods - A company refused to give details of a product on the grounds it was contemplating selling shares. The episode highlighted how businesses hide behind the US rule known as the 'quiet period' to avoid talking to the public.
The Tony Jackson on Monday Column:
*(Sir David) Walker tackles the public reticence of private equity.
In the Spotlight:
*Anders Fogyh Rasmussen – Great Dane’s biggest challenge.
Further news:
*New Citigroup (CGP) chief to get free hand on strategy.
*Publicis warns of web bubble.
*Bankers turn towards derivatives as property market cools in UK.
*Ian Livingston seen as BT (BT.A) man most likely to succeed.
The Economic View Column:
*The high oil price may begin to take its toll – The surge in crude comes at a time when the US economy is dangerously vulnerable.
Feature:
*National Express (NEX) – Army of franchises gets new uniform.
Business Big Shot:
*Richard Bowker.
The Monday Manifesto:
*Bart Becht of Reckitt Benckiser (RB.).
Further news:
*Osmond set for Resolution (RSL) win as Standard Life (SL.) quits.
*HSBC (HSBA) expected to write down an extra $1-billion.
The Stephen King Column:
*EM Forster and the American paradox.
The Small Talk Column:
*Close Bros (CBG) have tough task to save Johnson (Services (JSG)).
*Sigma Capita - Look out for another property deal.
*Hecta Media – AIM listing this week.
Further news:
*Bid to keep Northern Rock (NRK) afloat and retain its name.
*Will the predators come back for Sainsbury's (SBRY)?
*BHP Billiton (BLT) to appeal to Rio Tinto (RIo) shareholders to support its £67-billion approach; a Chinese state-backed banks has taken a near £230 million stake in Rio Tinto.
*Cenkos may go hostile in its bid for Close Bros (CBG).
*Pearl on the verge of victory in the six-month battle for Resolution (RSL) after a decision by Standard Life (SL.) to walk away.
*Carlsberg's new chief executive Jergen Buhl Rasmussen, is preparing the Danish brewer for a long war of attrition with Scottish & Newcastle (SCTN).
*Robert Tchenguiz revisits plan for Sainsbury's (SBRY) spin-off.
*Land Securities (LAND) poised to unveil break-up plan.
*Luqman Arnold, former chief executive of UBS and Abbey National, has joined the group of prospective bidders for Northern Rock (NRK).
*Syngenta has made a breakthrough that could significantly improve the economics of biofuels.
*Cable & Wireless (CW.) ready to split UK and International operations.
*BAE (BA.) and BP (BP.) are among British companies that slashed the research and development spending last year, according to Government figures that showed a 9% rise in R&D investment.
*Edge Performance, a venture capital trust, seeking to raise up to £25 million through a D share issue.
*Pure Circle of Malaysia plans to raise about £24-million in London Stock Exchange IPO.
*Air Charter Service is planning to raise £8-million via AIM IPO.
SOME ITEMS THAT COULD INFLUENCE SHARE PRICES
*Iraq reports big drop in violence.
*The Pentagon is not preparing a pre-emptive strike on Iran in spite of an increase in bellicose rhetoric from Washington, according to senior officers.
*General Muscharaff plans to hold elections in Pakistan by 9th January 2008.
*Business optimism in Great Britain and Continental Europe has declined steeply amid fears that the economy is slowing, according to a raft of surveys.
*Wall Street banks will have to slash valuations by a further £190-billion in ‘risky assets’, as new US accounting rules come into force this week.
*Insurers face $2-billion claims over subprime loans crisis, according to Guy Carpenter of Marsh & McLennan.
*Citigroup (CGP), Bank of America and JP Morgan agree to simplify the planned $75-billion superfund for distressed mortgage assets.
*Banks are increasingly using derivatives to exploit the contrasting outlook for commercial property in the US and UK.
*OPEC will this week seek assurances from some of the world's biggest oil consumers they will maintain their demand as members come under pressure to boost investment in production capacity.
*European Central Bank executive pledges emergency help to calm markets for 'as long as necessary'.
*Emirates to buy 70 Airbus 350’s in preference to the rival Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
*Brokers report that the dollar's weakness is causing a surge of interest in foreign currency mortgages among UK borrowers.
*The price of a loaf of bread hits all-time record of £1.12p.
Compiled in association with HB PLC and WH Ireland Ltd
