The Lex Column:
*Up the Peking order - A couple of years ago, publicly quoted Chinese mega-banks were just a glimmer in investment bankers’ eyes. In just over a year, 3 have muscled their way into the world’s top 10 banks by market capitalisation.
*Trinity Mirror (TNI.L) - How do you solve a problem like Trinity Mirror? It is all very well to call for radical action at the UK media group, but selling off the national newspaper titles at a reasonable price does not seem to have been a viable option.
*German real estate - Japanese equity hands will recognise today’s German property market – frenzied overseas investors snapping up assets from locals all too happy to sell.
*ProSiebenSat1 - It is not quite in the same league as Vivendi (VIV.L). But news that private equity groups Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Permira are poised to take control of Germany’s ProSiebenSat1 Media is big nonetheless.
The Lombard Column:
*Failure is an underrated virtue for private equity - Rate Permira by performance, not deals.
*Pink champagne on ice (Securities & Exchange Commission's proposals).
*Gaming’s new utilities (PartyGaming (PRTY.L)).
The Small Talk Column:
*Prosperity Minerals (PMHL.L) making light of its typhoon troubles.
*Plus (Markets (PMK.L)) a four letter word.
Further news:
*OPEC flexes its muscles by agreeing to cut production.
*Mittal to invest $200-million in RAB Capital (RAB.L) hedge fund.
*Youthful leader looks for more sparkle at De Beers.
*How unlisted companies are eclipsing the public equity market.
*Opinions divided about reasons for heavy trading in Rentokil Initial (RTO.L).
*Rumours that Smith & Nephew (SN.L) is looking to raise up to £1.5-billion to help finance its expected acquisition of Biomet.
The Business Editor Column:
*Not one of Ms Bailey's most cunning moves (Trinity Mirror (TNI.L)).
*System failure (SFO and BAE (BA.L)).
*Civil service needs consultants.
The Tempus Column:
*HBOS (HBOS.L) - Dull but safe.
*Spice (SPI.L) – Keep buying.
*Hays (HAS.L) - Sell.
Further news:
*Rate rise threat grows as public sees higher inflation.
*Rentokil (RTO.L) shares continue to advance on buyout rumour.
*Reality check hurts Communisis (CMS.L).
*Talk that Cardpoint (CASH.L) is about to face another bid approach.
*Vague rumours of bid interest in Expro International (EXR.L).
The Comment Colummn:
*A slimline Trinity Mirror (TNI.L) may not cure the hangover.
*Hornby's economy of scale (HBOS (HBOS.L)).
*EMI (EMI.L) stuck in a groove.
The Questor Column:
*Sell - MyTravel (MT.L).
*Avoid - Peter Hambro Mining (POG.L).
*Buy - Vernalis (VER.L).
Further news:
*BAE (BA.L) in clear as Saudi inquiry called off.
*OPEC cuts supply ‘to force up price’.
*Simon Denham, managing director of Capital Spreads, looks at Centrica (CNA.L).
The Outlook Column:
*Wiser council prevails against SFO's breathtaking naivety over Saudi arms deal.
*Trinity Mirror (TNI.L): why no one is interested.
*Bad debt experience divides the banks.
At a Glance:
*Premier’s back (Premier Oil (PMO.L)).
The City Focus Column:
*Each-way bey by Sly as she plays safe in Trinity (TNI.L) sell-off.
Further news:
*Ahold starts a food fight.
*Vague takeover talk lifts Expro International (EXR.L).
*Revived bid gossip boosts MonsterMob (MOB.L).
*Rumours suggest that Touch (TOU.L) has raised £1.8-million via a placing of 35.9-million shares at 5p.
*BAE (BA.L) and VT Group (VTG.L) in talks about combining shipbuilding operations.
*Lakshmi Mittal has pledged to invest £102-million in RAB Capital's (RAB.L) flagship hedge fund.
*BSkyB (BSY.L) set to buy 365 Media Group for £94 million.
*Gallaher (GLH.L) set to agree £7.5-billion, £11.40-a-share, takeover from Japan Tobacco.
*EMI (EMI.L) bid talks with Permira terminated.
*Vodafone (VOD.L) unit fined €76-million in Greece over phone tapping affair.
*AstraZeneca (AZN.L) reveals that data presented at a breast cancer symposium showed its drug Arimidex improved progression free survival when combined with Genentech's Herceptin.
*3i Group (III.L) sells Swedish firm Alimak Hek for €238-million.
*The Government looks set to scrap GNER's £1.3-billion franchise agreement to operate the East Cost Mainline railway.
SOME ITEMS THAT COULD INFLUENCE SHARE PRICES
*The Dow closed up 99.26-points to close at 12416.76, the Nasdaq added 21.44-points to 2453.85, while the S&P put on 12.28-points to 1425.49.
*The Government confirms that the SFO has dropped probe into BAE’s (BA.L) 'bribes' allegations to save Saudi deal; decision to halt case may be illegal, according to critics.
*OPEC agrees to hold current output steady but looks set to cut output by 2% next February.
*Rate rise threat grows as public sees higher inflation.
*The Bank of England deputy governor John Gieve warns investors not to get carried away by the relentless surge in the stock market.
*Tony Blair questioned by police in honours inquiry.
Compiled in association with HB PLC and WH Ireland Ltd
