The Lex Column:
*Battle of the bulge - The private equity industry is going global. Just as investment banks raced to grab a share of overseas markets in the 1990s – the big private equity firms are setting up new offices around the world.
*Marshall Wace - Most hedge fund managers trumpet the brilliance of their own trading strategies and, given half the chance, disparage their brokers’ ideas.
*Investing in customers - IBM (IBM.L) is reported to be taking a $3-billion stake in the Citigroup (CGP.L) consortium trying to buy Guangdong Development Bank. The idea, presumably, is get its paws on more of the Chinese lender’s IT budget.
*US newspapers - Once upon a time it was enough for the rich and famous to appear in newspapers. Now, it seems, they need to buy one (or at least ensure their people let it be known they are interested).
*Japanese M&A - Japan may be the world’s second biggest economy but as far as acquisitive foreign companies are concerned, it is barely on the map.
The Lombard Column:
*Cowdery edges ever closer to a final Resolution (RSL.L).
*Behind the headlines (Amec (AMEC.L)).
*Unsentimental journey (Family-owned businesses and private equity).
Further news:
*Price falls in metals pull down miners and currencies.
*War of words as Farepak row boils over.
*Diageo (DGE.L) splashes out on China's whisky drinkers.
*How rivalries have disrupted the steepclimb of Airbus.
*Takeover rumours cement record gains for Berkeley Group (BKG.L).
*Debt-ridden Biofuels (BFC.L) tumbles to a record low.
*Takeover rumours lift Oakdene Homes (OKD.L) and Equator Exploration (EEL.L).
*Bondholders in Experian (EXPN.L) victory.
The Business Commentary Column:
*Bankers not to blame for Farepak's failure.
*Heads you lose - The Zygos Partnership, ITV's (ITV.L) headhunters, seems to have its own head in the sand.
*Still resolute (Resolution Group (RSL.L)).
The Tempus Column:
*Buy Amec (AMEC.L).
*Buy DCC (DCC.L).
*Robert Wiseman Dairies (RWD.L) only a hold.
Further news:
*Friends Reunited (ITV.L) tries to show it has not lost touch.
*Whispers that Ascent Resources (AST.L) has made its first gas discovery at its Peneszlak field in Hungary.
*Miners drag FTSE down as copper price hits a low.
*Northern Food's (NFDS.L) shares go south amid fears of Christmas squeeze.
The Viewpoint Column:
*Here' one ITV (ITV.L) drama well worth watching.
*Shrink wrapping for British supermarkets.
*Inflation figures: rising support for Bank's interest rate rise.
Further news:
*Seymour Pierce gives Stanley Gibbons (SGI.L) its stamp of approval.
The Outlook Column:
*Rush of private equity funds which promises to keep the City takeover game booming.
*NTL's ITV (ITV.L) bid: an accident in waiting.
The Business Analysis Column:
*Brokers sound alarm over US threat to AIM.
The Investment Column:
*Hold Invensys (ISYS.L).
*Hold Robert Wiseman Dairies (RWD.L).
*Buy Mecom (MEC.L).
Further news:
*Rates poser as house prices rise and factory-gate inflation falls.
*Bid expected for Berkeley Group (BKG.L) after strong run.
*Consolidation hopes boost Berkeley Group (BKG.L).
*Speculation that Designer Vision (DVS.L) is set for a big increase in pre-Christmas orders and payments.
*Sir Andrew Large attacks London's ban on listed hedge funds as 'anachronistic'.
*Copper leads sharp retreat for base metals.
*NTL's stake in UKTV could derail ITV (ITV.L) merger.
*Some of NTL's investors are unconvinced about its planned bid for ITV (ITV.L).
*ITV (ITV.L) is to close its final salary pension scheme to existing members.
*HBOS (HBOS.L) launches a 125% home loans to help cash-rich professionals on to the housing ladder.
*Amec (AMEC.L) confirms rejection of First Reserve/Texas Pacific approach.
*Resolution (RSL.L) confirms talks with potential suitors.
*AstraZeneca (AZN.L) calms fears over negative impact of Democrat victories in US.
*Aga Foodservice (AGA.L) given deadline of 11th December to make offer for Enodis (ENO.L).
*Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) working on a shake-up of its American business that will see the Scottish lender apply for a national bankers licence in the US.
*BAE (BA.L) has been chosen to develop hydrogen fuel-cell technology.
*Game Group (GMG.L) buys 51 French stores for €6-million.
*Workspace Group (WKP.L) sells Luton estate for £12-million and buys 3 London sites for £18-million.
*Marshall Wace to list £1.01-billion hedge fund.
*Pakistan's Oil and Gas Development Company to list in London with the sale of 14% of its shares.
*Money Debt to raise £10-million on AIM.
SOME ITEMS THAT COULD INFLUENCE SHARE PRICES
*Last Night in New York the Dow closed up 23.45-points at 12131.88, the Nasdaq rose 16.66-points to 2406.38, while the S&P added 3.52-points to 1384.42.
*Tony Blair to call on Syria and Iran to play constructive role in the Middle East.
*Iraq suicide bomber kills 2 US soldiers.
*Ten have died in Baghdad bus blast.
*US says there will be no direct talks with Iran until nuclear programme is suspended.
*NATO advisers have warned the military alliance that it needs to guard against any attempt by Russia to set up a type of 'gas OPEC' that would strengthen Moscow's leverage over Europe.
*Cheaper petrol helps slow down increase in output prices.
*House prices rose by 0.8% in September according to official data.
*European Union states agree to relax product placement rules for films and television.
*BT (BT.L) to levy new charge on rival broadband providence.
*British Airways (BAY.L) chief Willie Walsh calls for firm timetable over third runway at Heathrow.
*Airbus seeking to outsource £1.8-billion of work on its proposed A350XWB airliner in an effort to reduce the overall development costs.
*Companies in Northern Ireland should be offered an effective rate of corporation tax of 12% as part of a package to stimulate foreign investment in the province, according to a review.
*Rolls-Royce (RR.L) long-term ratings raised to A3 by Moody's.
*Asda (WAL.L) will today announce that it has returned to growth.
*OFCOM launches probe into Sky's (BSY.L) charges to broadcasters.
*The Government tells retailers to do more on reducing packaging and food waste.
Compiled in association with HB PLC and WH Ireland Ltd
