James River Coal, Lin TV, Odyssey Marine and 99 Cents: U.S. Equity Movers

(Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies
whose shares are having unusual price changes in U.S. exchanges
today. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names.
Shares prices are as of 2:40 p.m. New York time.

99 Cents Only Stores (NDN US) rose $1.44, or 11 percent, to
$14.69 and traded as high as $14.98. The discount retailer said
in a regulatory filing that it had third-quarter earnings of 13
cents a share, beating the average analyst estimate of 12 cents
compiled by Bloomberg.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

U.S. Stocks Rise on M&A, Consumer Confidence; GE, AQuantive Lead Advance

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks rebounded after Microsoft
Corp. agreed to buy aQuantive Inc. and investors speculated that a
sale of General Electric Co.'s plastics unit will extend this
year's record pace of takeovers.

AQuantive surged to a seven-year high after Microsoft, the
world's biggest software maker, said it will buy the online
advertising company for $6 billion in its biggest-ever
acquisition. GE advanced the most in three weeks on expectations
the second-biggest company by market value will sell its plastics
unit for about $11 billion. Stocks also got a boost from a report
showing an unexpected increase in consumer confidence.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

UPDATE 1-Perma-Fix considers sale of industrial segment

(Reuters) - The industrial segment manages hazardous and non-hazardous
waste, while the nuclear services provides treatment of nuclear
and chemically hazardous waste.




Shares of the Atlanta-based company touched a new year-high
of $3.20 on the Nasdaq.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Hot C$ closes in on greenback, but no parity seen

(Reuters) - Some economists also said the Bank of Canada, in a bid to
protect the manufacturing sector, could step in to cool down
the currency, while a potential turnaround in commodity prices
might also spark a selloff.




Meantime, the Canadian dollar has made the most of robust
domestic data, Bank of Canada rate hike expectations,
merger-related interest in Canadian companies, higher commodity
prices and a generally weaker U.S. dollar.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

Platinum, Palladium Gain on Speculation of Strong Demand From Auto Sector

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum and palladium futures gained
in New York on speculation that demand from the auto industry
will be strong.

Automaker demand for platinum grew 35 percent last year and
palladium demand gained 33 percent, London-based Johnson Matthey
Plc said this week. Both metals are used in catalytic converters
to reduce pollutants produced by cars. Before today, platinum had
gained 15 percent this year, partly on speculation that
industrial demand for the metal will gain.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

UPDATE 1-Saudi company in lead to buy GE Plastics-source

(Reuters) - The Wall Street Journal said bidding for the business was
approaching $11 billion.




GE and Sabic declined to comment.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Chile's Peso Declines Amid Lower Copper Prices, Brazilian Real Strength

(Bloomberg) -- Chile's peso weakened after copper,
the country's biggest export, fell for the fourth time in the
last five trading sessions.

The peso also lost as regional traders sought to hedge
recent gains in the Brazilian currency, near a six-year high, by
buying dollars in Chile, said Julio Espinoza, an economist at
BiCE Corredores de Bolsa in Santiago.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Sao Paulo Bank Heists, 10 Times New York's Rate, Spark Security Spending

(Bloomberg) -- Sao Paulo schoolgirl Priscila Aprigio
da Silva's dreams of becoming a nurse ended on Feb. 28 when she
was caught in a shootout between police and bank robbers.

Now paraplegic from a bullet wound, 13-year-old da Silva is
among the casualties of violent heists that have forced Banco
Itau Holding Financeira SA, Banco Bradesco SA and other
Brazilian banks to double spending on security over the past
three years to 6 billion reais ($3.1 billion).


Read more at Bloomberg Exclusive News

Copper Gains, Erasing Earlier Drop, on U.S. Consumer Confidence Report

(Bloomberg) -- Copper prices gained in New York,
erasing an earlier drop, after a report showed that confidence
among U.S. consumers unexpectedly rose in May.

The Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary index of
consumer sentiment increased to 88.7 from 87.1 in April. The
measure has averaged 88.1 since monthly data were first compiled
in 1978. Copper has gained 16 percent this year during a global
expansion.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

Rand struggles to break ranges vs dollar

(Reuters) - South Africa's rand was about 0.3 percent softer against the dollar on Friday and was seen struggling to break out of ranges it has been caught in for weeks.

The rand has languished within the 6.88/7.08/dollar range for over a month, with little impetus on the domestic front to push it out, meaning it has largely tracked overseas market trends.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Nymex Gas Rises as Warmer-Than-Normal Summer Weather to Boost U.S. Demand

(Bloomberg) -- Natural gas in New York rose as power
generators locked in supplies in anticipation that hot summer
weather will increase electricity demand to run air conditioners.

Most of the U.S. is forecast to have warmer-than-average
weather from June to August, the Climate Prediction Center said
yesterday. La Nina conditions may affect U.S. weather patterns
later this year, the center said. A La Nina occurs when ocean
temperatures cool below normal, and it can alter conditions
around the globe.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

U.K. Pound Drops for Fourth Week as Investors Scale Back Rate Forecasts

(Bloomberg) -- The U.K. pound fell for a fourth week
against the dollar, its longest losing streak in 15 months, as
investors scaled back expectations of rate increases this year.

The pound also declined for a second week versus the euro
after inflation slowed last month and the central bank said in a
quarterly report the outlook for prices was ``unusually
uncertain.'' The pound extended declines as a report today showed
retail sales unexpectedly fell in April, prompting investors to
reduce bets the bank will raise rates.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

UPDATE 1-Germany says Wolfowitz was right to resign

(Reuters) - "I think that Mr Wolfowitz took the right step," Steinbrueck
told a news conference at the start of a G8 finance ministers'
meeting in Potsdam, Germany.




"I do not at all question his merits and his reputation.
However, I think with regard to the future role of the World
Bank he chose the right step, he took the right decision,"
Steinbrueck said.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

BNP Paribas Raises WTI, Brent Oil-Price Forecasts on U.S. Gasoline Supply

(Bloomberg) -- BNP Paribas SA, France's largest bank
by market value, raised its forecasts for crude oil this year
because of lower U.S. gasoline stockpiles and geopolitical risks
that could disrupt supplies.

The bank raised its forecast for West Texas Intermediate,
the benchmark crude traded in New York, to $69.30 a barrel in
the third quarter, up from an earlier estimate of $56.70.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

RWE's Biblis Nuclear Plant Extension Bid Rejected After Ministry Review

(Bloomberg) -- RWE AG's request to extend the life of
its Biblis A nuclear reactor in central Germany was turned down.

The Environment Ministry rejected RWE's request to transfer
permitted generation from a halted plant to Biblis A, the ministry
said today in a faxed statement. The ministry had announced a
preliminary rejection March 9 and allowed RWE to respond.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Hungarian Forint Posts Weekly Decline; Bank May Lower Rates Next Week

(Bloomberg) -- The Hungarian forint posted its fourth
consecutive week of declines, its longest losing run in almost a
year, on speculation the central bank may cut interest rates as
soon as next week.

The forint is the worst performer versus the euro so far
this month, falling 2 percent. Policy makers will probably cut
the benchmark rate, the highest in the European Union, by a
quarter-point at their meeting on May 21, a Bloomberg News survey
shows. The bank has left the key rate at 8 percent since October.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Crude Oil Rises on Signs U.S. Refineries to Replenish Gasoline Inventories

(Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose amid signs that U.S.
refineries will increase operating rates as they try to replenish
gasoline stockpiles.

Refineries operated at 89.5 percent of capacity last week
the third straight weekly gain, according to the Energy
Department. The profit margin for turning oil into fuels rose to
the highest since at least 1989 yesterday, based on closing
futures prices. Valero Energy Corp., ConocoPhillips and Murphy
Oil Corp. have shut units for repairs this week.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

North Sea Brent Crude Oil Climbs on Reduced Supply, Nigeria Disruptions

(Bloomberg) -- The price of North Sea Brent crude for
loading this month advanced amid expectations of reduced supplies
in June and persisting disruptions in Nigeria.

The discount for so-called dated Brent against cargoes for
loading in July fell by half to 10 cents late yesterday from 20
cents the previous day, according to the broker PVM Oil Associates
Ltd. in London. That works out at $69.80 a barrel as of 12:36 p.m.
London time, compared with a final assessment yesterday of $69.15,
according to Bloomberg calculations based on PVM prices.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Canadian Stocks May Advance on Higher Oil Prices, Takeover Speculation

(Bloomberg) -- Canadian stocks may rise for a fourth
day, led by energy and phone companies including EnCana Corp. and
BCE Inc., on higher crude oil prices and speculation of more
takeovers.

``Canada's on fire,'' said Keith Summers, who helps oversee
$762 million as chief investment officer at Stonegate Private
Counsel in Toronto. ``The momentum is all positive, driven by
commodities.''


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

UPDATE 1-Canada March retail sales jump by 1.9 percent

(Reuters) - The Canadian dollar jumped to a 29-year high on the report,
which reinforced the market's impression that Canadian interest
rates could rise in the future. The currency was at C$1.0919 to
the U.S. dollar, or 91.58 U.S. cents.




The central bank next sets rates on May 29.


Read more at Reuters.com Economic News

UPDATE1-Einstein Noah sees public offering priced at $19-$21/shr

(Reuters) - Morgan Stanley, Cowen and Co. and Piper Jaffray will be the
underwriters for the offering, according to the SEC filing.




The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to
750,000 additional shares.


Read more at Reuters.com Government Filings News

Cadbury has 12 groups vying for US drinks: source

(Reuters) - At 0830 GMT, shares in the world's largest confectionery maker were up 3.3 percent at 695.5 pence to value the Trident chewing gum and Dairy Milk chocolate maker at 14.6 billion pounds , having set a record high at 707.5 pence.




British-based Cadbury unveiled plans in March to split its sweets and drinks units, fuelling speculation at the time of a 7 billion pounds sale of its beverages business.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Pakistan, Undeterred by Bombings and Riots, Plans its Biggest Bond Sale

(Bloomberg) --Pakistan's government, undeterred by
riots and bombings, may raise $1 billion in its biggest debt
sale as investors seek riskier, higher-yielding debt.

The South Asian nation plans to sell as much as $1 billion
of bonds, Standard & Poor's said today, in rating the securities
B+, four levels below investment grade. The government plans to
sell debt maturing in 10 years and more of its bonds maturing in
2036, the credit assessor said in a statement.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

Cadbury Schweppes, EMI Group, Ladbrokes: Credit-Default Swap Market Movers

(Bloomberg) -- The risk of owning European corporate
bonds fell today, according to traders in the credit-default
swaps market.

Contracts based on 10 million euros ($13 million) of debt
included in the iTraxx Crossover Series 7 Index fell 1,500 euros
to 201,000 euros, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

S.Africa's Manuel not approached to lead World Bank

(Reuters) - South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has not been approached as a possible successor to outgoing World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, a spokeswoman for Manuel said on Friday.

Manuel, who has steered South Africa's vibrant economy for the past 11 years, is among those touted as possible candidates to take over from Wolfowitz, who resigned on Thursday over his handling of a high-paying promotion for his companion.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Philippine Stocks, Under President Arroyo, Eclipse Record Set A Decade Ago

(Bloomberg) -- Philippine stocks rose, breaking a
record that was set in the run-up to the regional financial
crisis in the summer of 1997.

During the crisis the Philippine Stock Index tumbled,
reaching a 10-year low in October 2001. Under the rule of
President Gloria Arroyo, who came to power in a popular uprising
backed by the military in January 2001, the measure has more than
tripled since its nadir of 979.34 to close at 3449.18 today.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Insurance adds fuel to heated M&A bid battles

(Reuters) - Cash-laden private equity firms have spent over $1,440
billion on more than 6,000 acquisitions since 2005, according to
data by Dealogic, and the still white-hot pace of mergers and
acquisitions has meant it is increasingly hard for buyers to
extract any financial guarantees from sellers.




In the past vendors have put as much as 10 to 15 percent of
the purchase price into an escrow account that can be drawn upon
if unexpected problems surface after the deal is done.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Thai Bonds Gain on Week on Bets for Rate Cut; Baht Holds Near 1997 High

(Bloomberg) -- Thailand's 10-year bonds gained a seventh week on expectations the central bank will lower interest rates next week as economic growth slows. The baht held near the strongest since 1997.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said today the nation's economic expansion is cooling because of sliding consumer confidence and the baht's strength. The yield on the 10-year note fell to a 3 1/2-year low as a cut in the key rate at the central bank's May 23 meeting would be the fourth since January.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

U.K. Pound Erases Gains After Retail Sales Unexpectedly Fall in April

(Bloomberg) -- The U.K. pound fell against the euro and the dollar, after a government report showed retail sales unexpectedly fell in April, a sign that higher prices and rising borrowing costs may be starting to hurt consumer spending.

Sales fell 0.1 percent after a revised 0.5 percent gain in March the Office for National Statistics said today in London. Economists expected an increase of 0.6 percent, according to the median of 35 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Cadbury has 12 groups vying for U.S. drinks: source

(Reuters) - The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported two private equity consortiums were preparing 8 billion pound bids for Cadbury's U.S. drinks.

"There are considerably more than in the Daily Telegraph report, about 12," the source told Reuters.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

World Bank, Gazprom, EFG Hellas Plan to Sell Debt: European Bond Alert

(Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of bond sales denominated in euros or pounds and expected in the coming days and weeks.

Investment-Grade Sales


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

UPDATE 2-Wachovia prices A$1.45 bln senior and sub bonds

(Reuters) - The bond offer, the first issue in Australia for Wachovia, was sold to 66 investors. About 70 percent was placed in Australia and the rest sold in Asia, with 19 percent, and Europe with 11 percent.

By type of investors, banks bought 45 percent, fund managers 43 percent, government authorities 7 percent, special purpose vehicles 3 percent and middle market participants 2 percent.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

German 2008 Power Prices Rise to Highest Since August on Carbon Credits

(Bloomberg) -- German electricity for delivery next year rose to its highest since August, tracking prices for European carbon-dioxide emission allowances.

Next-year baseload power prices in Germany, Europe's biggest electricity market, gained as much as 50 cents, or 0.9 percent, to 57 euros ($76.88) a megawatt-hour and traded at 56.90 euros at 8:34 a.m. Berlin time, according to broker GFI Group Inc.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Rand softer, seen under pressure

(Reuters) - South Africa's rand looked set to end the week on the back foot as the dollar held its gains and traders saw the local unit remaining under pressure.

The rand breached the key 7/dollar mark in late Johannesburg trade on Thursday as the dollar rose on the back of a U.S. survey that showed healthy business activity, calming fears that lending rates would be cut.


Read more at Reuters Africa

European Bonds Head for Biggest Drop in Five Weeks as Growth Quickens

(Bloomberg) -- European government bonds are poised for the biggest weekly drop in five weeks after reports showed European economies expanded faster than expected in the first quarter.

The gap in yields between 10-year European notes and U.S. Treasuries narrowed to the least in 2 1/2 years this week as economic growth in the euro region accelerates and U.S. expansion slows. European two-year yields are also trading near the highest in almost five years after the European Central Bank warned of inflationary risks and signaled higher interest rates.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News