The Lex Column:
*Rushin’ for the exit - It is an astute time for Russia’s oligarchs to diversify away from the domestic scene. The economy may be booming but it remains heavily dependent on commodities.
*Russian markets - The price of Moscow apartments is surging. Streets are clogged with traffic, and shoppers are on a spending spree. Russia is clearly enjoying a boom. Can it last?
*Vodafone (VOD.L)/Essar - Vodafone tries to buy control of a mid-sized operator, while simultaneously selling a minority stake in India. The similarities with its abortive offer for AT&T Wireless in 2004 cannot have gone unnoticed to Vodafone’s board.
The Lombard Column:
*No room for ambiguity in Lord Browne’s successor - BP (BP.L) should make one choice and stick to it.
*Hot air (Ryanair (RYA.L) bid for Aer Lingus (AERL.L)).
Further news:
*Vodafone (VOD.L) investors cheer Hutchison offer.
*Creditors set to take control of Damovo.
*Persimmon (PSN.L) directors in line for £11.7-million payout.
*Zambia's Konkola copper mine is battling years of neglect.
*Food producers seek an elixir for a health conscious age.
*AIM's full-time tally enough to silence doubters.
*Burren Energy (BUR.L) feels the pressure after death of Turkmen leader.
*SMG (SMG.L) advances during talk of stakebuilding.
*Manganese Bronze (MNGS.L) is the biggest gainer in the FSTE-Small Cap Index over the last 12-months.
*Pantheon (PANR.L) falls after news that its well in Texas was unlikely to contain sufficient levels of hydrocarbons.
The Tempus Column:
*Buy - CareUK (CUK.L).
*Hold on to Aer Lingus (AERL.L).
*Buy - Persimmon (PSN.L).
Further news:
*Web video games offer rich pickings for online advertisers.
*ITV (ITV.L) shares shrug off poor winter advertising outlook.
*Theratase (THE.L) hit by Korean decision.
The Business Comment Column:
*Putin's power play will make Russia economic pariah.
*Has Malaysia backed the right horseless carriage?
*HSBC (HSBA.L) must avoid hangover from its US headache.
The Questor Column:
*Buy - Persimmon (PSN.L).
*Avoid - Smith & Nephew (SN.L).
*Hold - Instore (INST.L).
Further news:
*After Shell (RDSA.L), Russia now turns on BP (BP.L).
*Majestic Wine (MJW.L) suppliers frothing after being asked to pay for the wine at the retailer's staff party.
*Vodafone (VOD.L) fears prove powerful on market’s quiet last full day.
The Outlook Column:
*Vodafone's (VOD.L) Sarin turns acquisitive once more. The City may be in the mood to back him.
*Gaffe is on the button about HSBC (HSBA.L).
*Higher growth, squeezed incomes.
The Investment Column:
*Hold - Persimmon (PSN.L).
*Buy - Agcert International (AGC.L).
*Buy Falkland Oil & Gas (FOGL.L).
Further news:
*Three-way deal talk lights up pharmaceuticals.
*Private equity bid rumours lift Intercontinental Hotels (IHG.L).
Further news:
*Punters are hip to move on S&N (SN.L).
*Talk that Doughty Hanson is sniffing around SMG (SMG.L).
*Spirent (SPT.L) stages a Christmas coup.
*Adam Reynolds climbs aboard Media Steps (STEP.L).
*Russia issues a chilling warning to BP (BP.L) about its future in the country.
*Texas Pacific and First Reserve drop plans for a £1.5-billion bid for Amec (AMEC.L), after the group refused to grant access to its accounts.
*Gazprom pays £3.8-billion cash for controlling stake in the Sakhalin-2 project being developed by a consortium led by Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA.L).
*BAE (BA.L) wins $16.3-million contract modification from US army.
*BAE (BA.L) shareholder F&C Asset Management (FCAM.L) believes the decision to end the Saudi fraud inquiry threatens to undermine the integrity of capital markets.
*First Choice Holidays (FCD.L) in talks to buy internet hotel booking site Laterooms.com for an estimated £100-£110-million.
*Training contract in doubt as Treasury questions Ministry of Defence over QinetiQ (QQ.L) involvement.
*GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) to buy Praecis Pharma for $54.8-million.
*Interserve (IRV.L) and John Laing (LNGO.L) consortium wins £66-million contract for Tunbridge Wells hospital Public Finance Initiative.
*Ubiquity Software (UBQ.L) in talks re possible offer for company.
*Stakebuilding talk persists at SMG (SMG.L).
*Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA.L) sees off challenge to US disposal attempt.
*SocGen launches first hedge fund compliant with Sharia Islamic law.
SOME ITEMS THAT COULD INFLUENCE SHARE PRICES
*The Dow closed down 42.62-points at 12421.25, the Nasdaq fell 11.76-points to 2415.85, while the S&P lost 5.23-points to close at 1418.30.
*The United Nations is poised to agree sanctions on Iran after months of wrangling over Tehran's nuclear programme.
*The tax burden on wages climbs to highest since records began, according to Office for National Statistics.
*The price of crude oil cools, on the prospect of a mild winter.
*UK third-quarter GDP up quarterly 0.7% for fourth consecutive quarter.
*US third-quarter GDP revised down to 2% vs 2.2% previously.
*US third-quarter core price index up 2.2%.
*US jobless claims up 9,000 to 315,000 in December 16 week vs 310,000 expected.
*Advertising agencies will have to fight to keep a grip on Great Britain's £31-billion pot of marketing money as technology and social challenges are forecast to hit the industry.
*Tesco (TSCO.L) seeks to reassure customers it is is becoming too powerful.
*Business is booming for top-of-the range tailors, jewellers and car salesmen as bankers spend hefty bonuses.
*More than 1,000 internet dating sites have blossomed over the past decade, but revenues grew by only 8% last year, compared with 77% in 2001.
*The BBC faces a cut in its future funding in real terms under a six-year licence fee deal agreed between government ministers.
*Malaysia targets biofuels demand with palm oil conglomerate.
*The sudden death of Saparmurat Niyazov, the Turkmenistan president, has raised the threat of instability in a republic that is a vital energy supplier to Europe.
Compiled in association with HB PLC and WH Ireland Ltd
