TFN NEWS BRIEFING: Mergers and acquisitions highlights to 15:50 BST

2008-09
19 15:37:44
1-ING has buffer, no interest in US investment bank
CFO

MADRID, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Dutch financial services group ING has no plans to buy a U.S. investment bank and will hold on to its capital buffer as it weathers the acute crisis among financial firms, its Chief Financial Officer said on Friday.
2008-09
19 15:36:15
1-Morgan Stanley
Wachovia deal more likely: Merrill

Sept 19 (Reuters) - An acquisition of Morgan Stanley by Wachovia is becoming more likely as recent volatility in Morgan Stanley's shares has made it more attractive for Wachovia, a Merrill Lynch analyst said.
2008-09
19 15:33:08MORGAN STANLEY DEAL TALKS 'CONTINUE ON ALL FRONTS' - SOURCE

- MORGAN STANLEY DEAL TALKS 'CONTINUE ON ALL FRONTS' - SOURCE Ryan Vlastelica rv
2008-09
19 15:25:13BRIEF-ArcelorMittal says contemplating South Africa deal

BRUSSELS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - ArcelorMittal SA:

* Says 'contemplating a transaction involving the introduction of black economic empowerment into ArcelorMittal South Africa'

* Says no guarantee that the transaction will happen.

* The Financial Times's Alphaville website earlier said that ArcelorMittal was preparing to take full control of its South African subsidiary in a $5bn deal.
2008-09
19 15:05:58ING CFO: No interest in U.S. investment banks

MADRID, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Dutch financial services group ING has no plans to buy a U.S. investment bank and will hold on to its capital buffer as it weathers the acute crisis among financial firms and credit markets, its Chief Financial Officer said on Friday.
2008-09
19 15:04:33
1
Cable & Wireless extends Thus offer indefinitely

LONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - British telecoms group Cable & Wireless extended its 329 million-pound ($600 million) offer for rival Thus until further notice on Friday and said it expected the offer to become unconditional on Oct. 1.
2008-09
19 15:03:02ING CFO declines to comment on exposure to AIG

MADRID, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Dutch financial services group ING Groep NV is aiming for 15 percent annual growth in customer loans, mortgages and funds at its ING Direct banking service over the next five years, the company said on Friday.
2008-09
19 14:52:13BRIEF-Cable & Wireless says has 82 pct of THUS

LONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Cable & Wireless Plc:

* C&W holdco owns or has received valid acceptances in respect of a total of 149,938,984 Thus shares which represents approximately 82 percent of the issued share capital of Thus.
2008-09
19 14:39:54BP considers selling Caspian pipeline stake

MOSCOW, Sept 19 (Reuters) - BP may sell its stake in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which pumps crude from Kazakhstan to the Black Sea, if it fails to agree with Russia on terms for expanding the line, BP said in Russia on Friday.
2008-09
19 14:28:17BRIEF-Merrill Lynch says Morgan Stanley-Wachovia merger likelihood rising

Sept 19 (Reuters) - Sept 19 (Reuters) - MORGAN STANLEY, WACHOVIA :

* Merrill Lynch says Morgan Stanley Wachovia merger likelihood

rising

* Merrill says Morgan Stanley shares have remained volatile, raising urgency of

situation for co and making it more attractive for Wachovia to do a deal

* Merrill says Wachovia's share price has jumped, making it easier for such a

transaction with Wachovia as buyer [e-mail] cmr
2008-09
19 14:25:12MERRILL SAYS WACHOVIA'S SHARE PRICE HAS JUMPED, MAKING IT EASIER FOR SUCH A TRAN

- MERRILL SAYS WACHOVIA'S SHARE PRICE HAS JUMPED, MAKING IT EASIER FOR SUCH A TRANSACTION WITH WACHOVIA AS BUYER Ryan Vlastelica rv
2008-09
19 14:20:06BRIEF-Roper Industries acquires Technolog

- Sept 19 (Reuters) - Roper Industries Inc:

* Acquires Technolog, leading UK provider of products and services for water, gas and electricity markets Please write your own byline and save in your preferences vj
2008-09
19 14:16:19ANALYSIS-Berlusconi's Alitalia election promise turns sour

ROME, Sept 19 (Reuters) - 'I love Italy, I fly Alitalia,' was the slogan Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi coined after his re-election.
2008-09
19 14:06:38ROPER INDUSTRIES ACQUIRES TECHNOLOG, LEADING UK PROVIDER OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICE

- ROPER INDUSTRIES ACQUIRES TECHNOLOG, LEADING UK PROVIDER OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR WATER, GAS AND ELECTRICITY MARKETS Ryan Vlastelica rv
2008-09
19 14:02:45VANTEX SELLS ITS 50 % INTEREST IN THE BLACK DOG AND PENAROYA-BROUILLAN PROPERTIE

- VANTEX SELLS ITS 50 % INTEREST IN THE BLACK DOG AND PENAROYA-BROUILLAN PROPERTIES TO ARIANNE RESOURCES Ryan Vlastelica rv
2008-09
19 14:01:25ARIANNE ACQUIRES THE 50% INTEREST OF VANTEX RESOURCES IN THE BLACK DOG AND PENAR

- ARIANNE ACQUIRES THE 50% INTEREST OF VANTEX RESOURCES IN THE BLACK DOG AND PENAROYA-BROUILLAN PROPERTIES Ryan Vlastelica rv
2008-09
19 14:00:36
1
Cisco to buy messaging software company Jabber

NEW YORK, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Cisco Systems Inc said on Friday it plans to buy privately held Jabber Inc, which specializes in instant messaging software, to bolster its own line of Internet-based communications products.
2008-09
19 13:29:57Bank of Ireland says had no Santander bid approach

DUBLIN, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Bank of Ireland said on on Friday it had not received a takeover approach from Spain's Santander or any other potential bidder.
2008-09
19 13:22:22GLANCE EU mergers and takeovers (Sept 19)

BRUSSELS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The following are proposed mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures under review by the European Commission, and a brief guide to the EU merger process:

APPROVALS AND WITHDRAWALS:

-- DSV Air & Sea Holding A/S of Denmark acquires control of all of ABX

-- ERGO International, an insurance unit of German reinsurer Munich Re, acquires control of the whole of Bank Austria Creditanstalt Versicherung, an insurance company primarily active in Austrian life insurance (approved Sept.
2008-09
19 13:08:13BRIEF-Cisco acquires messaging software firm Jabber

- Sept 19 (Reuters) - Cisco Systems Inc:

* Announces definitive agreement to acquire jabber

* Says financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed

* Says upon completion of deal Jabber employees will become part of the Cisco

Collaboration Software Group Ryan Vlastelica rv
2008-09
19 13:01:23CISCO SYSTEMS INC SAYS UPON COMPLETION OF DEAL JABBER EMPLOYEES WILL BECOME PART

- CISCO SYSTEMS INC SAYS UPON COMPLETION OF DEAL JABBER EMPLOYEES WILL BECOME PART OF THE CISCO COLLABORATION SOFTWARE GROUP Ryan Vlastelica rv
2008-09
19 13:00:54CISCO SYSTEMS INC SAYS FINANCIAL TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION ARE UNDISCLOSED

- CISCO SYSTEMS INC SAYS FINANCIAL TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION ARE UNDISCLOSED Ryan Vlastelica rv
2008-09
19 13:00:44CISCO ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE JABBER

- CISCO ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE JABBER Ryan Vlastelica rv
2008-09
19 12:54:49Millennium & Copthorne says Millennium Seoul Hilton sale completion now in Nov

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Plc. said the deadline for the completion of the 232.6 million-pound Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel sale has been extended to Nov 30 as Kangho AMC Co will not be able to meet the original Sept 30 deadline due to the current difficult credit markets.
2008-09
19 12:49:32
1
Chevron sell fuels marketing business in Nigeria

NEW YORK, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Chevron Corp plans to sell its fuels marketing business in Nigeria to Panamanian company Corlay Global S.A., the oil company said on Friday.
2008-09
19 12:25:03Gazprombank suspends Sibur management buyout talks

MOSCOW, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The banking arm of gas export monopoly Gazprom, Gazprombank, has suspended talks about selling petrochemical firm Sibur to Sibur's management due to market conditions, Gazprombank said on Friday.
2008-09
19 12:22:37BRIEF-OFT begins consultation on HBOS, Lloyds TSB merger

LONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Office of Fair Trading:

* The OFT has started a consultation process regarding the acquisition of HBOS by Lloyds TSB.
2008-09
19 12:09:13
1
Italy's Alitalia limps on as liquidation looms

ROME, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Alitalia SpA was still flying on Friday but the Italian flag carrier faced liquidation in a matter of days after a rescue plan collapsed.
2008-09
19 11:35:36Italy rules out renationalising Alitalia -source

ROME, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The Italian state will not renationalise Alitalia, Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti told his cabinet colleagues on Friday, according to a government source.
2008-09
19 11:29:39
1
China wealth fund plays down Morgan Stanley talk

BEIJING, Sept 19 (Reuters) - China Investment Corp on Friday dampened speculation that the sovereign wealth fund could be ready to increase its stake in U.S. investment bank Morgan Stanley.
2008-09
19 11:26:45Sweden unlikely to sell SBAB for now -analysts

STOCKHOLM, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Financial market turmoil will make it tough for the Swedish government to pull off plans to sell state-owned mortgage lender SBAB any time soon, analysts said on Friday.
2008-09
19 11:20:45
1
PwC aims to sell Lehman asset mgmt, corpfin in days

LONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - PricewaterhouseCoopers, the administrators for Lehman Brothers International (Europe), aims to sell the bank's asset management and corporate finance units within days, PwC said on Friday.
2008-09
19 11:16:19Italy's Alitalia limps on as liquidation looms

ROME, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Alitalia SpA was still flying on Friday but the Italian flag carrier faced liquidation in a matter of days after a rescue plan collapsed.
2008-09
19 11:09:53BRIEF-Chevron sells fuels marketing business in Nigeria

- Sept 19 (Reuters) - Chevron Corp:

* Sells fuels marketing business in Nigeria

* Says sale to Corlay Global S.A, a Panamanian co owned by African-based

consortium composed of MRS Holdings Limited and Petroci Holdings

* Says no additional details of the transaction were disclosed [e-mail] ak
2008-09
19 10:58:59BRIEF-Qantas CEO reiterates guidance

TOULOUSE, France, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Qantas Airways Ltd:

* CEO Geoff Dixon reiterates guidance, says still comfortable with market consensus forecast for 2008/09 pre-tax profit

* Tells reporters on sidelines of A380 delivery ceremony that the consensus

(([e-mail], [phone]))
2008-09
19 10:54:36BRIEF-PwC aim to sell Lehman asset mgmt, corporate finance in days

LONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - PricewaterhouseCoopers, the administrators for Lehman Brothers International (Europe) said:

* after trading suspended, arrangements have been made to use the brokerage services of other market participants

* trading arrangements have enabled them to realise some of the companies' proprietary market positions

* in discussions to sell asset management, corporate finance units, best way to maximise value for creditors is to keep each team together

* aim to complete a deal in the next few days for asset management, corporate finance units [e-mail] vjt
2008-09
19 10:51:56
1
EU extends review of Dutch dairy group merger

BRUSSELS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Friday extended the deadline for its competition review of plans by Dutch dairy groups Friesland Foods and Campina to merge.
2008-09
19 10:50:56Aviation body could ground Alitalia in 10 days

ROME, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC will ground Alitalia flights in 7-10 days from next Monday if the special administrator does not present a new rescue plan to them that day, a source at ENAC said on Friday.
2008-09
19 10:15:23Crosby bids $147 mln for Australian miner Medusa

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Crosby Capital Ltd., a Hong Kong-based merchant bank, plans to launch a takeover offer for Australia's Medusa Mining Ltd., valuing Medusa at A$182 million ($147 million), Crosby said in statement on Friday.
2008-09
19 10:15:17STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-VW falls as Lower Saxony says not buying

Sept 19 (Reuters) - STOCKS NEWS Reuters

Results diary

Stocks on the move Real-time Equity News
09:07GMT 19Sept2008
Volkswagen falls as Lower Saxony says not buyingshares

Shares in Volkswagen fall 7.2 percent, making it the worst performer among German large caps as speculation cools that the German state of Lower Saxony, perhaps in concert with Porsche family member and VW chairman Ferdinand Piech, may have been raising its stake to put pressure on VW's management board.
2008-09
19 09:48:08Uralkali to pay $334 mln in H1 2008 dividends

MOSCOW, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Russian fertiliser producer Uralkali said on Friday it will pay out an interim dividend of 4 roubles ($0.157) per ordinary share for the first half of this year.
2008-09
19 09:41:51Informa says trading in line with expectations

LONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - British publishing and events group Informa is confident about its full-year outlook, a spokesman said after a private equity consortium dropped its takeover bid for the company.
2008-09
19 09:22:29
2
Santander declines comment eyeing Bank of Ireland

MADRID, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The eurozone's largest bank Santander on Friday declined to comment on a media report it is eyeing Bank of Ireland.