(AFX UK Focus) 2010-03-11 02:42 Taiwan stocks extend gains; AU, Mediatek upWednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 8:56PMTAIPEI, March 11 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks rose 0.22 percent on Thursday, led by gains in technology shares including LCD maker AU Optronics as investors cheered their solid February sales and after sharp gains in U.S. peers.
Nomura Taps David Puritz of Deutsche Bank as Convertibles HeadWednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 8:53PMMarch 11 (Bloomberg) -- Nomura Holdings Inc. , Japan’s biggest brokerage, hired David Puritz , head of U.S. convertible bond trading at Deutsche Bank AG, to run the business in New York, two people familiar with the situation said.
Bomber's death fresh blow to Indonesia militantsWednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 7:05PMCANBERRA/JAKARTA - A suspected mastermind of the Bali bombings was killed in a police raid in Indonesia in the latest blow to an Islamist militant movement in the world's most populous Muslim country.
Romania’s Rating Outlook Raised to Stable at S&P (Update1)Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 12:08AMMarch 10 (Bloomberg) -- Romania’s credit rating outlook was raised to stable at Standard & Poor’s after the International Monetary Fund resumed a bailout loan to the country and the government passed an austerity budget.
Yen Weakens Against Taiwan, New Zealand Dollar; Oil DeclinesTuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 11:14PMMarch 10 (Bloomberg) -- The yen weakened against higher- yielding currencies as China said exports rose 45.7 percent to $94.5 billion, the most in three years, boosting optimism Asia is leading global growth. Oil fell for a second day.
A bigger tax break for college costsSunday, March 7, 2010 @ 2:36AMPaying for college? You may be able to claim a big tax break, even if you've never before qualified.
As LAUSD tightens belt, 'green' resolution helps trim water, energy costsSunday, March 7, 2010 @ 2:25AMThe 3-year-old program has been carving away at future utility expenses for the sprawling system. 'Our mission is to be the greenest school district in the country,' says school board president. While the Los Angeles Unified School District grapples with budget slashing, teacher layoffs, program cuts and increasing class sizes, a 3-year-old program has been steadily carving away at future water ...
Detroit Warns of Bankruptcy Risk as City Prepares Bond SaleFriday, March 5, 2010 @ 12:28PMMarch 5 (Bloomberg) -- Detroit , the largest U.S. city whose debt is rated below investment grade, warned investors of the risk of bankruptcy as it prepares to sell $250 million of bonds to help close its budget deficit.
Search FT.comFriday, March 5, 2010 @ 12:10PMSterling’s slide against the dollar and its continuing weakness against the euro are positive for buyers of UK equities and income funds, according to strategists – and the share prices of some British companies have already risen in response.
Almost ready to resume risk rally Friday, March 5, 2010 @ 12:10PMRisky assets might be ready to resume their broad rally which began almost a year ago as investors become more confident the Greek debt woes will be contained and interest rates will stay low for some time.
Five world markets themes next week Friday, March 5, 2010 @ 12:10PMFollowing are five big themes likely to dominate the thinking of investors and traders in the coming week.
Wen warns of China bank risksFriday, March 5, 2010 @ 12:08PMBEIJING: Premier Wen Jiabao warned of "latent risk" in China's banks and pledged to crack down on property speculation as the government faces the consequences of flooding the economy with money to drive growth.
U.S. Corporate Credit Risk Index Falls to Lowest in Six WeeksFriday, March 5, 2010 @ 11:53AMMarch 5 (Bloomberg) -- The cost to protect against defaults on U.S. corporate bonds declined to the lowest in more than six weeks after payrolls fell less than forecast.
Stocks Climb, Treasuries Decline, Dollar Retreats on Jobs DataFriday, March 5, 2010 @ 11:45AMMarch 5 (Bloomberg) -- Stocks and commodities climbed while Treasuries retreated and the dollar erased gains after a smaller-than-estimated decrease in U.S. jobs added to evidence the global economic recovery is accelerating.
Corporate Bonds Rally on Greek Sale, U.S. Jobs: Credit MarketsFriday, March 5, 2010 @ 11:39AMMarch 5 (Bloomberg) -- Corporate bonds are rallying the most since the beginning of the year as Greece raised 5 billion euros ($6.8 billion) in a sale of 10-year bonds and U.S. employers cut fewer jobs than forecast last month.
Stocks, Oil Gain on Economic Optimism; Pound, Dollar FallTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 1:29PMMarch 2 (Bloomberg) -- Stocks and oil rose as India’s economy improved and speculation grew that the European Union will bail out Greece as the nation prepares further plans to cut its deficit.
Stocks, Oil Gain on Economic Optimism; Pound, Dollar FallTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 1:29PMMarch 2 (Bloomberg) -- Stocks and oil rose as India’s economy improved and speculation grew that the European Union will bail out Greece as the nation prepares further plans to cut its deficit.
Pimco’s Gross Raises Bet on Sovereign Debt With Abu Dhabi SwapsTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 1:26PMMarch 2 (Bloomberg) -- Bill Gross , portfolio manager for the Pimco Total Return Fund , raised his bet on foreign- government bonds in the fourth quarter by entering into credit- default swaps on debt from Abu Dhabi and Brazil.
Pimco’s Gross Raises Bet on Sovereign Debt With Abu Dhabi SwapsTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 1:26PMMarch 2 (Bloomberg) -- Bill Gross , portfolio manager for the Pimco Total Return Fund , raised his bet on foreign- government bonds in the fourth quarter by entering into credit- default swaps on debt from Abu Dhabi and Brazil.
Euro's decline a relief to someTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 1:22PMFears that Greece may need an expensive and embarrassing bailout are heaping pressure on the euro. But many European businesses and politicians are quietly relieved at the common currency's decline.
Euro's decline a relief to someTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 1:22PMFears that Greece may need an expensive and embarrassing bailout are heaping pressure on the euro. But many European businesses and politicians are quietly relieved at the common currency's decline.
Merck’s Millipore Bid May Leave Investors Waiting for ReturnTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 5:54AMMarch 2 (Bloomberg) -- Merck KGaA’s $6 billion agreement to acquire Millipore Corp. , the U.S. supplier of equipment to biotechnology companies, may leave investors waiting longer for the “pure value creation” the German company promised three years ago when it bought Serono SA, analysts said.
Indonesia reformers set to stay as inquiry splitsTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 5:33AMJAKARTA (Reuters) - A parliamentary probe failed on Tuesday to resolve bitter divisions over the fate of two key pro-market policymakers in Indonesia's cabinet, signalling conflict over economic reform would continue.
EU Socialists Seek to Stop ‘Locusts’ From Preying on GreeceTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 4:58AMMarch 2 (Bloomberg) -- European socialist leaders proposed setting up an emergency fund to stop the “locust swarm of speculators” from swooping on countries like Greece that tumble into financial distress.
HCA Plans Bond Sale as Junk Spreads Stabilize: New Issue AlertTuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 4:56AMMarch 2 (Bloomberg) -- HCA Inc., the hospital chain taken private in a $33 billion leveraged buyout, plans to sell bonds as concern subsided that Europe will suffer a financial crisis and investors returned to the U.S. market for high-yield debt.
Some retirees use reverse mortgages to pay for affluent lifestyleSunday, February 28, 2010 @ 2:13AMWhat many people have now — house, lifestyle, neighborhood, friends, church, club — is exactly what they’d like to keep. Unfortunately many older folks simply don’t know how or where to look to find the funds that would allow them to do so.
Waha Board approves issuing AED 1 billion mandatory convertible bonds or SukukSunday, February 28, 2010 @ 2:09AMWaha Capital P.J.S.C. board, the diversified Abu Dhabi-based ADX-listed holding company, decided to issue mandatory convertible bonds or Sukuk with a AED 1 billion value and distribute 12.5% as share dividends as bonus shares.
MAF Asset Management reduces fund size to $1bnSunday, February 28, 2010 @ 1:00AMDubai-based Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management has reduced the capacity of its Elite Mena Equity Fund from its target of $1.5-$2 billion (Dh5.5-Dh7.3bn) to $1bn due to tight liquidity and tougher market conditions, according to Habib Oueijan, Managing Director and Head of Mena Investments at MAF Asset Management.
Europe: Learning Lessons from the CrisisSaturday, February 27, 2010 @ 2:05AMAs Europe embarks on its projected recovery, wide differences in economic performance and financial stresses will persist, IMF officials say.
Europe: Learning Lessons from the CrisisSaturday, February 27, 2010 @ 2:05AMFor small and very open countries with fixed exchange rates—the three Baltic republics and Bulgaria—there is really no alternative to seeking EMU membership as fast as possible.
Report: Monroe County Board approves maintenance programsSaturday, February 27, 2010 @ 2:03AMAt the Feb. 16 Monroe County board of commissioners meeting, Ron Polka, Monroe County Highway Engineer, received approval for the following resolutions:
Moody's: Stable Outlook For Global Shipping Industry, But Recovery Hampered By OversupplyThursday, February 25, 2010 @ 8:00AMMilan, February 25, 2010 -- The fundamental credit outlook for the global shipping industry is stable, reflecting the fact that conditions are unlikely to deteriorate further in the sector, says Moody's Investors Service in a new Industry Outlook. However, the rating agency cautions that some segments, especially containers, will continue to under-perform throughout 2010.
Greek Bonds Decline Amid Threat of Downgrades; Bunds AdvanceThursday, February 25, 2010 @ 7:36AMFeb. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Greek bonds slid, pushing the premium investors demand to hold the nation’s 10-year securities instead of German bunds to the most in more than two weeks, amid concern the country’s credit ratings may be downgraded.
Cain Brothers Closes Complex Financing for Texas CCRCTuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 4:20PMNEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - February 23, 2010) - Banks are financing senior living projects once again. Cain Brothers, the health care investment bank, announced that it successfully structured and closed a $98 million plan of finance for a large expansion project for Westminster Manor, a continuing care retirement center (CCRC) located in Austin, Texas.
Cain Brothers Closes Complex Financing for Texas CCRCTuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 4:20PMNEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - February 23, 2010) - Banks are financing senior living projects once again. Cain Brothers, the health care investment bank, announced that it successfully structured and closed a $98 million plan of finance for a large expansion project for Westminster Manor, a continuing care retirement center (CCRC) located in Austin, Texas.