LONDON (AFX) - Here are the top stories on AFX News EU Commission hikes euro zone 2007 growth forecast to 2.4 pct vs 2.1
BRUSSELS (AFX) - The European Commission raised its euro zone growth forecast for 2007 to 2.4 pct from its previous estimate of 2.1 pct published in November.
This compares with record growth of 2.7 pct in 2006. Compass Bancshares being acquired in $9.6B deal
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Compass Bancshares Inc., which operates banks from Arizona to Florida, said Friday that it is being purchased by Spain-based Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. in a cash and stock deal valued at about $9.6 billion.
The transaction consists of roughly $4.6 billion in cash and about 196 million shares of Banco Bilbao common stock. INTERVIEW Teva assessing option to submit bid for Merck KgaA's generic ops
FRANKFURT (AFX) - Generic drug giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd plans to achieve a 15-20 pct share of the generic drug market in Germany by 2012 through organic growth and acquisitions -- including possible plans to submit a bid for Merck KgaA's generic operations.
The world's biggest generic drug maker is mulling, among other options, plans to acquire Merck's generic drug unit, Martin Vortkamp -- head of Teva's portfolio management and business development in Germany -- told AFX News. BNP Paribas CEO sees 25 pct growth in emerging markets; 190 new branches
PARIS (AFX) - BNP Paribas aims to grow 2007 revenues by 25 pct in emerging countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Mediterranean Basin, and will focus primarily on organic growth with 190 branch openings planned in the region over the year, chief executive Baudouin Prot told French daily Le Figaro today.
After expanding significantly in 2006, notably with the acquisition of BNL in Italy, Prot said the group will now concentrate on organic growth which will mean 'turning all our growth drivers to maximum potential.' Swisscom fined 333 mln sfr by Swiss competition authority
ZURICH (AFX) - Switzerland's competition authority said it fined telecoms group Swisscom AG 333 mln sfr for excessive pricing on mobile phone calls.
According to the watchdog, Swisscom Mobile abused its dominant market position, forcing customers to pay an inappropriately high termination rate of 0.335 sfr per minute. Aker Yards Q4 beats forecasts, ups dividend on increased activity
OSLO (AFX) - Aker Yards ASA posted fourth quarter figures ahead of expectations across the board, and announced it is to hike its full-year dividend to 18 nkr a share from 15.5 last year, as the Norwegian shipbuilder benefits from increased activity in the marketplace and from recent acquisitions.
For the fourth quarter, Aker Yards posted operating profits of 452 mln nkr, up from 209 mln a year earlier, and well ahead of the 300 mln consensus forecast of analysts polled by TDN Finans. Bekaert FY sales up 4 pct at 3.2 bln eur; continues share buy-back
BRUSSELS (AFX) - Steel wire and cord manufacturer Bekaert SA said full year combined sales rose 4.0 pct from a year earlier to 3.2 bln eur.
Combined sales include sales of consolidated companies as well as 100 pct of joint ventures and associates. German Jan final CPI down 0.2 pct vs Dec; up 1.6 pct yr-on-yr
WIESBADEN, Germany (AFX) - Consumer prices in Germany fell 0.2 pct in January from December and were up 1.6 pct from a year earlier, according to final figures from the Federal Statistics Office.
The figures confirmed the preliminary estimates given by the Statistics Office on Jan 30. French Dec current account deficit 2.9 bln eur vs 2.2 bln deficit in Nov
PARIS (AFX) - France's current account showed a provisional, seasonally-adjusted deficit of 2.9 bln eur in December compared with a revised deficit of 2.2 bln in November, the Finance Ministry said.
The seasonally-adjusted deficit totalled 25.2 bln eur last year as a whole, compared with 19.9 bln in the same period last year. Telefonica offering 2 bln eur for 30 pct of Pirelli's unit Olimpia - report
MILAN (AFX) - Telefonica SA is offering 2 bln eur to Pirelli & C SpA to buy a 30 pct stake in Olimpia SpA, a holding company that owns 18 pct of Telecom Italia SpA, the daily Il Sole 24 Ore said without identifying its source.
The Spanish group's offer values Telecom Italia around 3.0 eur per share, it added. Swedbank Q4 opg beats forecasts on strong income growth, positive items
STOCKHOLM (AFX) - Swedbank AB said its fourth-quarter operating profit rose 4 pct from a year earlier to 3.887 bln skr, buoyed by strong net interest and net commission income growth, and positive net gains on financial items.
The result was above analyst forecasts for an operating profit of 3.427 bln skr in the period, as recorded by SME Direkt. COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2006. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited