China's money rates mixed, end-quarter cash demand surges

SHANGHAI, April 1 (Reuters) - China's primary money rates were mixed for the week on Friday as end of quarter cash demand pushed up the 14-day and one-month rates, but strong central bank cash injections kept the benchmark seven-day rate in check. The volume-weighted average rate of the benchmark seven-day repo traded in the interbank market, considered the best indicator of general liquidity in China, was 2.2786 percent, down one basis point (bps) on the week. The one-day or overnight rate


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AsiaPac M&A activity flat in Q1 2016 as outbound deals reach record

HONG KONG, April 1 (Reuters) - Asia-Pacific mergers and acquisitions were little changed in the first quarter of 2016, as record outbound deals partially helped offset a slump in inbound transactions, targeting companies in the region, Thomson Reuters data showed on Friday. Deal activity totalled $293.2 billion, as compared with $296.9 billion in the first quarter of 2015, with outbound acquisitions reaching an all-time high of $123.4 billion, according to preliminary data through March 28.











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UPDATE 2-China official factory activity unexpectedly expands but job losses mount

* Official China factory activity expands for 1st time in 9 months


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Chinese brokers dominate AsiaPac 1st quarter as activity sinks 57 pct

HONG KONG, April 1 (Reuters) - Share sales on Asia ex-Japan stock exchanges plunged by 57 percent in the first quarter as volatility in global markets took activity to the lowest level since 2009, Thomson Reuters data showed on Friday. Proceeds in equity capital markets (ECM) in the region tumbled to about $24.7 billion in the first quarter versus $57.9 billion in first-quarter 2015, according to preliminary data through March 28. Follow-on offerings, or the sale of new and existing sh











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U.S. asks Deutsche, JPMorgan to give details on 1MDB dealings -sources

KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Reuters) - Officials of the U.S. Department of Justice have asked Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan for details of their dealings with Malaysia's 1MDB, as global investigations into the troubled state fund widen, banking sources said on Friday.


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Singapore c.bank asks banks to provide details of 1MDB-linked dealings

SINGAPORE/SYDNEY, April 1 (Reuters) - Singapore's central bank has asked financial institutions to provide details of any transactions linked to Malaysian state investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) as part of its probe into possible money-laundering in the city state.











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UPDATE 1-Third Point, Jana gain in March, Greenlight Capital flat

BOSTON, March 31 (Reuters) - Billionaire hedge fund investors Daniel Loeb and Barry Rosenstein made money in March when the stock market came back with stronger gains, but both men's funds are still in the red for the year, sources familiar with their performance said.


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RPT-Sri Lankan in Bangladesh cyber heist says she was set up by friend

COLOMBO, March 31 (Reuters) - When Hagoda Gamage Shalika Perera, a small Sri Lankan businesswoman, got a deposit of $20 million in her account last month, she said the funds were expected but had no idea they were stolen from Bangladesh's central bank in one of the largest cyber heists in history.











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U.S. SEC's White pushes investor protections in Silicon Valley

March 31 (Reuters) - The chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission took on "unicorns," tech startups and other privately held companies on Thursday, admonishing Silicon Valley firms to be fair and honest with their investors.


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China's Shandong Ruyi says it will take over French fashion firm SMCP

SHANGHAI, April 1 (Reuters) - China's Shandong Ruyi said it will buy a controlling stake in SMCP, the French firm behind affordable luxury fashion brands Sandro, Maje and Claudie Pierlot.











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U.S. judge cuts $18 mln verdict for N.Y. financier's ex-employee

NEW YORK, March 31 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday reduced by more than two-thirds the maximum sum a Swedish woman can recover after having prevailed in a jury trial against a New York financier she accused of sexual harassment and defamation.


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Investors pull money from junk bonds; move into cash -Lipper

(New throughout; adds data for mutual funds and ETFs, byline) By Trevor Hunnicutt NEW YORK, March 31 (Reuters) - Risk aversion was on display in funds this week as investors poured $12.1 billion into U.S.-based money market funds and $112 million into U.S.-based corporate investment-grade bond funds with riskier junk bond funds posting withdrawals, Lipper data showed on Thursday. The shift came as U.S.-based stock mutual funds posted $4 billion in outflows and U.S.-based taxable b


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BRIEF-Wintrust Financial Corp closes acquisition of Generations Bancorp

* Wintrust financial corporation announces the closing of the acquisition of Generations Bancorp, Inc. Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:


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BRIEF-Howard House joins Greenhill & Co as managing director

* Howard House joins Greenhill as a managing director in Houston focused on the energy sector Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:











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Investors move into money funds, high-grade bond funds -Lipper

NEW YORK, March 31 (Reuters) - Risk aversion was on display this week as investors poured $12.1 billion into U.S.-based money market funds and $112 million into U.S.-based corporate investment-grade bond funds, Lipper data showed on Thursday.


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UPDATE 2-Canada's Cara to buy St-Hubert BBQ chain for C$537 mln

March 31 (Reuters) - Canada's Cara Operations, owner of the Swiss Chalet casual dining chain and Harvey's burger outlets, said Thursday it would buy St-Hubert BBQ, one of Quebec's largest casual dining chains, for C$537 million ($415 million), in a bid to gain a foothold in the province.











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BRIEF-Asta Funding and units signed first amendment to loan agreement with Bank Hapoalim b.m.

* On March 30, 2016, Asta Funding, and its units signed first amendment to loan agreement with bank Hapoalim b.m. - sec filing Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Bengaluru Newsroom: +1-646-223-8780)











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BRIEF-Ameriserv Financial expects to record increased provision for loan losses and higher net loan charge-offs in Q1 2016

* Says expects to record increased provision for loan losses and higher net loan charge-offs in q1 2016


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US STOCKS-Wall St on track for feeble end to tempestuous quarter

* Indexes: Dow -0.18 pct, S&P -0.23 pct, Nasdaq -0.06 pct (Updates to afternoon)


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BRIEF-Sunwah International announces extension of revolving loan term

* Sunwah International announces extension of revolving loan term











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BRIEF-Attica Bank FY 2015 net loss soars to EUR 333.5 mln

* FY 2015 interest income 90.5 million euros ($102.99 million) versus 89.8 million euros a year ago


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BRIEF-Mitsui's Op profit likely rose 10% to just over $1.73 bln for year ended Thursday - Nikkei

* Mitsui Fudosan's Operating Profit Likely Rose About 10% On The Year To Just Over 200 Billion Yen ($1.73 Billion) For The Year Ended Thursday - Nikkei











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CORRECTED-U.S. Senator seeks investigation of insurers over retirement rule

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat who advocates for strong financial regulation, asked U.S. securities regulators on Thursday to investigate comments made by major insurance companies about a forthcoming federal rule on retirement advice.











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CORRECTED-UN sanctions change possible when Libya government controls wealth fund

UNITED NATIONS, March 31 (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council said on Thursday it was ready to consider changes to sanctions on Libya's sovereign wealth fund once a unity government confirms it has control of it, along with the National Oil Corporation and the central bank.


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BRIEF-SCBSM H1 operating profit up 12 pct at 9.9 mln euros

March 31 (Reuters) - Societe Centrale des Bois et des Scieries de la Manche SA :











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STERN ADVICE-Inflation-proofing your portfolio? Then worry about this

By Linda Stern NEW YORK, March 31 (Reuters) - With U.S. gasoline selling under $2 a gallon, food prices relatively flat and Wall Street bond traders betting on 1.5 percent annual inflation as far the eye can see, it may seem like the wrong time to worry about rising consumer prices. But some voices - including a few at the policy-setting Federal Reserve - are suggesting consumer inflation could take off faster than expected. If oil reverses its recent steep decline and wages begin t


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UK finance body says end of staff register puts consumers at risk

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - Scrapping a central register of a broad range of people working in Britain's financial sector puts consumer protection at risk, a UK finance accreditation body said on Thursday.


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BRIEF-David Sokol urges Middleburg Financial to initiate process to explore strategic alternatives - SEC filing

* David Sokol -on March 31, urged Middleburg Financial board to initiate process to explore strategic alternatives - SEC filing











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LPC-EMEA syndicated lending down 44% to US$150bn in first quarter

* Global market volatility puts brakes on first quarter lending











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Brazil prosecutors charge prominent banker Safra in bribe scheme

BRASILIA, March 31 (Reuters) - Brazilian prosecutors charged Joseph Safra, the world's richest banker, in connection with an alleged scheme to pay bribes to government officials in return for waiving $500 million in corporate tax debts, the prosecutors' office said in a statement on Thursday.


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BRIEF-Bank Fuer Tirol und Vorarlberg FY 2015 net commission income up at 49.2 mln euros

* FY net interest income 161.7 million euros ($184.26 million)versus 180.1 million euros year ago











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Fitch Publishes Brazilian Insurance Dashboard

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) RIO DE JANEIRO, March 31 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has published its semi-annual Brazilian Insurance Dashboard, a publication that examines the insurance industry in Brazil. Key items covered in this report include premium growth trends and outlook and sector profitability. Fitch notes that premium growth will remain under pressure throughout 2016. The continuing rise in unemployment, persistently high inflation, and investors and comp


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BRIEF-UACN Property Development Co posts FY group pre-tax profit of 55.9 mln naira versus 3.54 bln naira last year

March 31 (Reuters) - UACN Property Development Company Plc :


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UPDATE 1-GE Capital asks U.S. government to lift 'too big to fail' designation

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - General Electric Co's GE Capital financing arm on Thursday asked the U.S. government to stop designating it as a "systemically important financial institution," a label given to companies considered "too big to fail."











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BRIEF-Founder Securities' unit sold shares in Dongxing Securities

* Says unit has sold about 11.8 million shares of Dongxing Securities, to boost company's 2016 net profit by about 243.4 million yuan ($37.70 million)


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UPDATE 1-Tunisia's central bank holds key interest rate unchanged at 4.25 percent

TUNIS, March 31 (Reuters) - Tunisia's central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged at 4.25 percent, the bank said on Thursday.











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Kuoni foundation expects EQT offer to go through as planned

ZURICH, March 31 (Reuters) - The Swiss foundation that controls a quarter of the voting rights at travel group Kuoni expects Swedish private equity group EQT's offer for the company to go through despite a dispute over how to value the foundation's stake.











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UK watchdog warns of bottleneck in P2P platform approvals

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - A flurry of companies are queuing for authorisation to open peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms to take advantage of a new savings product to invest in tech start-ups, Britain's Financial Conduct Authority said on Thursday.


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BRIEF-South Africa's Competition Commission says raids premises of PG Bison and Sonae

* South Africa's Competition Commission says conducting search and seizure operation at Gauteng premises of PG Bison and Sonae Novobord


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UPDATE 1-Moroccan royal holding firm SNI reports 7.7 pct drop in 2015 profit

RABAT, March 31 (Reuters) - Morocco's National Investment Co. (SNI), an investment holding firm controlled by the country's monarchy, reported a 7.7 percent fall in 2015 net profit, it said on Thursday.


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Hong Kong tribunal upholds Moody's reprimand for report on Chinese companies

HONG KONG, March 31 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong tribunal has upheld a disciplinary action against Moody's Investor Services for a report it published on Chinese companies, in a landmark decision that could curtail the kinds of services rating agencies can offer in the financial centre.


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UPDATE 2-HK overnight yuan rates go negative as bears exit short positions, RRR bites

* Victory in Beijing's struggle to fight off yuan shorts (Adds comment from HK Monetary Authority)











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EU watchdog fines DTCC for derivatives repository failings

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - The European Union's markets watchdog has fined the U.S. DTCC Derivatives Repository Ltd 64,000 euros ($72,620) for failing to give regulators speedy access to its data on trades as required under the bloc's laws.











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No blind spots in Credit Suisse's trading operations -chairman

ZURICH, March 31 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse's chairman said on Thursday there are no blind spots in the bank's trading operations, a week after its chief executive said he had been unaware of the scale of positions that triggered major writedowns.


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Israeli real estate developer Gazit-Globe moves to profit in Q4

JERUSALEM, March 31 (Reuters) - Gazit-Globe, Israel's largest real estate development company, moved to a net profit in the fourth quarter, helped by a rise in rental income.











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Malaysian PM Najib's brother received funds before 2013 elections - WSJ

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's brother received $7 million in funds that was transferred to his personal bank account from Najib's before the country's 2013 elections, the Wall Street Journal said, citing investigation documents.


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RPT-TABLE-Foreign trading in Japan stocks for latest week

(fixes format) TOKYO, March 31 (Reuters) - Weekly net trading in shares on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan's main stock exchange, in thousands of yen. A negative figure indicates net selling. Week to: TOTAL Proprietary Brokerage Mar 25 -8,364,297 39,907,112 -48,271,409 Mar 18 -31,165,383 176,897,068 -208,062,451 Mar 11 -8,177,119 879,799,828 -887,976,947 Mar 4 6,566,593 -13,773,546


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MSCI says competition issues could keep China "A" shares out of EM index

HONG KONG, March 31 (Reuters) - Index provider MSCI Inc said on Wednesday that alleged anti-competitive behaviour by China's exchanges may keep mainland Chinese shares out of a major investment benchmark, adding to the hurdles China must jump before its stocks can be admitted.











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BRIEF-Hotelest FY group revenue of 3.75 bln rupees

* FY group revenue of 3.75 billion rupees versus 3.53 billion rupees year ago


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BRIEF-Hotelest declares interim dividend of 0.48 rupees

* Declared interim dividend of 0.48 rupees per share to be paid on or about may 18, 2016 Source text: http://j.mp/1SzOXrV Further company coverage: (Bengaluru Newsroom: +1 646 223 8780)











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BRIEF-Moody's revises outlook of large Singapore banking groups to negative

* Moody's revises outlook of large Singapore banking groups to negative


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Argentine Senate approves deal to pay debt, re-enter markets- TV

BUENOS AIRES, March 30 (Reuters) - Argentina's President Mauricio Macri won the support of the Senate for a settlement with bondholders on Wednesday, live TV images showed, marking the end of a 14-year battle with creditors.











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Singapore Feb bank lending dips as general commerce loans slide

SINGAPORE, March 31 (Reuters) - Singapore's total bank lending in February fell from January on a decline in loans to general commerce, central bank data showed on Thursday.


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Fitch: Longfor Continues to Benefit from Focus on Higher-Tier Chinese Cities

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) HONG KONG, March 30 (Fitch) Longfor Properties Co. Ltd. (BBB-/Stable) is likely to continue to benefit from increased demand from property upgraders due to its strong brand name and leadership position in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, Fitch Ratings says. The Chinese property developer's focus on these top tier cities was evident in its 2015 results, which showed that over 77% of its CNY54.5bn contracted sales were from Tier 1 and leadi











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BRIEF-Landmark Infrastructure Partners LP announces pricing of public offering of series A preferred units

* Landmark infrastructure partners lp announces pricing of public offering of series a preferred units











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Australian shares up as banks bounce, NZ keeps rising

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - Australian shares bounced 1.5 percent on Thursday as the benchmark index made its biggest daily rise in a month buoyed by gains on Wall Street and fund demand ahead of the new month and quarter.


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RPT-Basel watchdog adopts softer rules on banks' rate risk - sources

TOKYO, March 31 (Reuters) - Global banking regulators will avoid forcing banks to set aside money to cover the risk of higher interest rates, two people with direct knowledge of their deliberations said, easing concerns among some banks about the potentially high costs of holding government bonds and long-term loans.


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BRIEF-MFC Bancorp not filed financial statements for year ended Dec 31, 2015

* Not filed financial statements and accompanying management discussion and analysis for year ended December 31, 2015











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UPDATE 3-Loss at Mexico's ICA quintuples as debt woes mount

MEXICO CITY, March 30 (Reuters) - Mexico's ICA posted a fourth-quarter net loss more than five times higher than in the same period a year earlier, as the embattled construction company won fewer contracts and its debt soared.











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BRIEF-First Industrial Realty trust announces pricing of 5.6 mln shares of common stock offering

* First industrial realty trust, inc. Announces pricing of common stock offering


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UPDATE 1-Appaloosa calls for removal of SunEdison's TerraForm execs

NEW YORK, March 30 (Reuters) - Billionaire David Tepper's Appaloosa Management is seeking to overhaul TerraForm Power Inc's Conflicts Committee, claiming the company's controlling shareholder SunEdison Inc has breached its fiduciary duties.











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BRIEF-Fitch says Court Decision on MetLife's SIFI Designation a Credit Neutral

* Says views federal court decision to strike down MetLife's designation as a non-bank SIFI as having no impact on ratings assigned to MetLife


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BRIEF-Ceridian says received additional $150 million capital investment as Dayforce success accelerates

* Shareholders thomas lee partners l.p., fidelity national financial ventures group ceridian management, ceridian ceo david ossip, investing in co


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Libya requests UN sanctions exemption for sovereign wealth fund

UNITED NATIONS, March 30 (Reuters) - Libya is asking the U.N. Security Council to approve a sanctions exemption for its blacklisted sovereign wealth fund to halt billion-dollar losses caused by ineffective management of frozen assets, according to a letter released on Wednesday.


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UPDATE 2-Canada's Morneau says economy will benefit from weak C$ over time

NEW YORK/OTTAWA, March 30 (Reuters) - Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Wednesday said it may take more time for the country's economy to reap the benefits of a weaker Canadian dollar as domestic manufacturers adjust to its impact.


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MOVES-Citadel Securities hires White from Morgan Stanley

BOSTON, March 30 (Reuters) - Citadel Securities has hired Nicola White from Morgan Stanley as the market making group builds out its fixed income and credit trading capabilities.











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UPDATE 1-UniCredit could delay Popolare di Vicenza cash call-sources

* Cash call could be delayed if market conditions poor-sources


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BlackRock planning to cut 400 jobs - Bloomberg

March 30 (Reuters) - BlackRock Inc, the world's largest asset manager, is planning to cut about 400 jobs, or 3 percent of its workforce, Bloomberg reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter.











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Allianz to sell $5 bln life insurance portfolio in Italy- sources

LONDON, March 30 (Reuters) - German insurer Allianz is looking to sell a $5 billion portfolio of life insurance policies in Italy, sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.











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UPDATE 1-Gundlach's DoubleLine trims emerging market debt exposure post-Fed rally

NEW YORK, March 30 (Reuters) - Jeffrey Gundlach's DoubleLine Capital scaled back exposure in emerging market debt as the sector extended its rally a day after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signaled a slower path for interest rate hikes.


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UniCredit could delay Popolare di Vicenza cash call-sources

* Cash call could be delayed if market conditions poor-sources











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Gundlach's DoubleLine trims emerging market debt exposure post-Fed rally

NEW YORK, March 30 (Reuters) - Jeffrey Gundlach's DoubleLine Capital scaled back its exposure in emerging market debt as the sector extended its rally on Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen's signal of a slower path for rate increases.


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Burger King France to sell Belgian Quick restaurants

PARIS, March 30 (Reuters) - Burger King France's owner has decided to put its Quick burger chain in Belgium and Luxembourg up for sale, a source close to the deal said on Wednesday.


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Canada's Morneau indicates foreign investment laws won't change

NEW YORK, March 30 (Reuters) - Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Tuesday indicated the new Liberal government would not relax regulations limiting foreign investment in sensitive sectors of the economy.











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UPDATE 1-Kenya's National Bank warns of profit decline after top execs sent on leave

NAIROBI, March 30 (Reuters) - Kenya's National Bank has warned its 2015 earnings would fall by at least a quarter due to bad loans, a day after saying its chief executive and five top managers had been placed on compulsory leave pending an internal audit.


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Poland launches US$1.75bn 10-year bond at 150bp over Treasuries

LONDON, March 30 (IFR) - Poland has launched a US$1.75bn 10-year bond at 150bp over Treasuries, according to a lead manager.











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MIDEAST STOCKS-Markets mixed, money flows to UAE

DUBAI, March 30 (Reuters) - Middle East stock markets were mixed on Wednesday as money flowed into bourses in the United Arab Emirates but many markets dropped in shrinking volumes, suggesting some investors were pulling out.











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China considers CDS market as defaults rise-sources

SHANGHAI, March 30 (Reuters) - China has circulated plans to introduce credit-default swaps (CDS) and other derivatives so investors can hedge risk in its $7.5 trillion bond market, sources said, a sign regulators want to allow more defaults without destabilising the market.


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Kuwait's KIPCO expects revenue growth to pick up in 2016

DUBAI, March 30 (Reuters) - Kuwait Projects Co (KIPCO), the Gulf state's largest investment company, expects revenue growth to pick up this year, helped by its core investments in banking, insurance, broadcasting and real estate, it said on Wednesday.











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BRIEF-Lightinthebox Holding says Zall E-Commerce completed acquisition of equity interest in company

* Zall Cross-border e-commerce investment completed acquisition of strategic equity interest in co as announced on March 17


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BRIEF-India's Hinduja Leyland Finance files for IPO

* India's Hinduja Leyland Finance Ltd files for IPO - offer document











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BRIEF-Raging Capital Management supports AMBAC's board, management

* Raging capital announces support for ambac's board and management


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Bill Gross: Central banks 'running out of time' to reflate economies

NEW YORK, March 30 (Reuters) - Bond manager Bill Gross, who runs the Janus Global Unconstrained Bond Fund, said central banks are "running out of time" to reflate global economies as their aggressive policies including quantitative easing and low, even negative, interest rates are losing their effectiveness.


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BRIEF-Fort FY 2015 net profit to RAS up at RUB 3.4 mln

* FY 2015 revenue to Russian Accounting Standards (RAS) of 3.95 million roubles ($58,428.24) versus 4.41 million roubles year ago











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BRIEF-Oceanwide's 2015 net profit up 29.7 pct

* Says 2015 net profit up 29.7 percent y/y at 2.0 billion yuan ($308.77 million)











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BRIEF-Shenwan Hongyuan gets regulatory approval for private placement

* Says gets securities regulator's approval to issue shares in private placement


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BRIEF-Quercus TFI management recommends allocation of FY profit

March 30 (Reuters) - Quercus Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych SA :


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European shares rise, with Metro and miners outperforming

* Steelmakers rise on consolidation hopes (ADVISORY- Reuters plans to replace intra-day European and UK stock market reports with a Live Markets blog on Eikon - see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets for site in development. See the bottom of the report. Adds details, update prices)











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BRIEF-ICBC cuts dividend for 2015

March 30 (Reuters) - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd


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Fitch: Flood Re a Temporary Solution for Policyholders

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) Link to Fitch Ratings' Report: Flood Re: Temporary Solution for Policyholders https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=879173 LONDON, March 30 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings says in a new report that Flood Re, a joint industry- and government-sponsored scheme to enable flood cover to be affordable for those households at highest risk of flooding, will be effective in making home insurance temporarily affordable











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UPDATE 3-McCormick lifts offer for Premier Foods

* Proposal based on engagement, limited due diligence (Adds analyst recommendation, comments)











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BRIEF-Lockheed Martin - Straightline Aviation signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 12 Lockheed Martin hybrid airships with a potential value of approximately $480 million

* Lockheed Martin - Straightline Aviation signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 12 Lockheed Martin hybrid airships with a potential value of approximately $480 million


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Embattled liquor baron Mallya seeks to repay $603 mln to Indian banks

NEW DELHI, March 30 (Reuters) - Indian liquor baron Vijay Mallya, whose defunct Kingfisher Airlines owes $1.4 billion to a group of banks, has proposed to repay 40 billion rupees ($603 million) worth of loans by end-September, according to two lawyers present at a Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday.


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Fitch: Singapore Office REIT Earnings to Slow; Credit Profiles Strong

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) Link to Fitch Ratings' Report: Singapore Office REITs Dashboard 1H16 https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=879409 SINGAPORE, March 30 (Fitch) The six Singapore-listed office-sector real estate investment trusts' (office SREITs) earnings growth is likely to slow in 2016, Fitch Ratings says in a new report. However, the agency says the credit profiles of most of the office SREITs are strong, which shou











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BRIEF- Russia's AFI Development subsidiaries in loan problems

* Received a letter from VTB about loan to AFI subsidiaries, Bellgate Construction Limited and Krown Investments LLC.


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Swedbank proposes new chairman as Sundstrom lacks shareholder support

STOCKHOLM, March 30 (Reuters) - Swedbank's nomination committee will not propose re-election of Anders Sundstrom as chairman of the board as he lacks sufficient support among shareholders, it said on Wednesday in a changed proposal ahead of the bank's annual general meeting.











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BRIEF-TLG Immobilien 2015 FFO increases 22.1% to 64.0 mln euros

* Funds from operations (FFO) increase 22.1% in 2015 to EUR 64.0 million (2014: EUR 52.4 million)











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BRIEF-TLG Immobilien AG acquires office property in Leipzig

* Acquires centrally located office property in Leipzig for about 57 million euros ($64.40 million) Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: ($1 = 0.8850 euros) (Gdynia Newsroom)


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China's Zheshang, Bank of Tianjin set for flat open in Hong Kong debut

HONG KONG, March 30 (Reuters) - Shares of two mid-sized Chinese lenders were set to open flat on their Hong Kong debut on Wednesday after they raised a combined $2.6 billion last week through initial public offerings (IPOs) in the face of tepid investor demand.











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BRIEF-Store Capital says secondary offering priced at $25.25 per share

* Store capital announces pricing of secondary offering of shares of common stock











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BRIEF-Surgery partners announces pricing of $400 million senior note offering

* Surgery partners announces pricing of $400 million senior note offering


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REFILE-Australia says will allow competition for the ASX's cash-clearing activities

SYDNEY, March 30 (Reuters) - Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that he will introduce laws intended to end the Australian Securities Exchange Ltd's monopoly on equities cash-clearing activities and allow competition.


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UPDATE 1-Music streaming company Spotify raises $1 bln in convertible debt

March 29 (Reuters) - Spotify has raised $1 billion in convertible debt from private equity firm TPG Capital and hedge fund Dragoneer Investment Group, a spokeswoman for the music streaming service said.











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Music streaming company Spotify raises $1 bln in convertible debt

March 29 (Reuters) - Spotify has raised $1 billion in convertible debt from private equity firm TPG Capital and hedge fund Dragoneer Investment Group, a spokeswoman for the music streaming service said.











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GE to sell $1.4 bln U.S. hotel franchise loan portfolio

March 29 (Reuters) - General Electric Co said it had agreed to sell GE Capital's U.S. hotel franchise loan portfolio to a unit of Western Alliance Bancorp.


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BRIEF-Invesco Mortgage files for mixed shelf offering, amount unknown

* Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc files for mixed shelf offering, amount unknown - Sec filing Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Bengaluru Newsroom: +1-646-223-8780)


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Ex-TV commentator Tobin Smith settles SEC penny stock fraud case

March 29 (Reuters) - Tobin Smith, a former Fox News commentator, will pay nearly $258,000 to settle U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charges that he fraudulently promoted a penny stock to investors, the regulator said on Tuesday.











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MOVES- CEO leaves US real estate lobby group

NEW YORK, March 29 (IFR) - Steve Renna, CEO and president of powerful real estate lobby group CRE Finance Council, has left the organization, a spokesperson told IFR on Tuesday.











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UPDATE 1-Chinese group to buy control of fashion labels Sandro, Maje-sources

PARIS, March 29 (Reuters) - Chinese textile group Shandong Ruyi is about to buy control of SMCP, the French firm behind fashion brands Sandro, Maje and Claudie Pierlot, for 1.3 billion euros ($1.47 billion)including debt, two sources close to the deal said on Tuesday.


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U.S. Fed awards most reverse repos in 2 months

NEW YORK, March 29 (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Tuesday awarded $104.77 billion of one-day, fixed-rate reverse repurchase agreements to 53 bidders at an interest rate of 0.25 percent, the New York Fed said on its website.


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BRIEF-KKR plans to sell SMCP to China's Shandong Ruyi - FT

* KKR plans to sell SMCP to China's Shandong Ruyi in a deal that values the french fashion group at 1.3 bln euros including debt- FT, citing sources











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European equities rise as firmer insurers offset weaker miners

LONDON, March 29 (Reuters) - European stock markets rose on Tuesday, as stronger insurance shares offset weaker commodity-linked stocks, which fell in tandem with lower metals and oil prices.











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African Development Bank agrees to lend Zambia $125 million

LUSAKA, March 29 (Reuters) - The African Development Bank has agreed to lend Zambia $125 million on concessional terms for the improvement of sanitation, food security and support to women entrepreneurs, the government said on Tuesday.


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Brazil's Eletrobras hires bank for Eletrosul asset sale

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 29 (Reuters) - State-controlled power holding company Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras SA has hired an unidentified investment-banking firm to advise on a plan to sell a portion or all of a subsidiary's renewable energy assets, Chief Executive Officer José da Costa Carvalho Neto said on Tuesday.











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UPDATE 1-Brazil lending falls as defaults stay at five-year high

BRASILIA/SAO PAULO, March 29 (Reuters) - Commercial banks in Brazil pared back lending in February for a second straight month, a report showed on Tuesday, as private-sector lenders kept slowing disbursements to mitigate the impact of a deepening recession on loan delinquencies.


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BRIEF-National Bank Of Kenya sends CEO on compulsory leave pending an internal audit process

* Bank's CEO and 5 top managers sent on compulsory leave pending an internal audit process











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BRIEF-Ozak REIT secures 25 mln lira credit

* Secures 25 million lira ($8.74 million) credit with 4 years maturity


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UPDATE 1-Indian central bank tweaks upcoming lending rate rules

MUMBAI, March 29 (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India said on Tuesday fixed-rate loans of up to three years offered by lenders will have to be set based on their marginal cost of funding, a move an analyst said was negative for the banks.


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BRIEF-Onvia says company and CEO Hank Riner entered into transition and release agreement

* On March 28, co and Hank Riner, current president and chief executive officer entered into a transition and release agreement - sec filing











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BRIEF-BTB REIT SAYS trustees decided to REDUCE discount of DRIP

* Trustees of btb have decided to decrease discount of drip from 5% to 3% Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Bengaluru Newsroom: +1 646 223 8780)











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MOVES- Walker Crips, Tilney Bestinvest, Aon

March 29 (Reuters) - The following financial services industry appointments were announced on Tuesday. To inform us of other job changes, email moves@thomsonreuters.com.


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BRIEF-CGI group partners with Swedish social insurance agency

* CGI enters into long-term partnership with the Swedish social insurance agency to help drive its digital transformation











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ADB mulls $450 mln loan for Shah Deniz II gas project in Azerbaijan

BAKU, March 29 (Reuters) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is considering a $450 million loan to Azerbaijan to help expand its Shah Deniz natural gas project, the bank said on Tuesday.


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EU mergers and takeovers (March 29)

BRUSSELS, March 29 (Reuters) - The following are mergers under review by the European Commission and a brief guide to the EU merger process:


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UPDATE 1-Egypt Central bank sells $120 mln at regular FX auction

CAIRO, March 29 (Reuters) - Egypt's central bank kept the pound steady at 8.78 per dollar at its regular auction on Tuesday, selling $120 million to cover multinational companies' needs to clear payment backlogs for the import of staples and pharmaceutical goods.











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Japan's Asakawa says yen volatility a concern, not exchange rate

PARIS, March 29 (Reuters) - The yen's exchange rate level is less of a concern for the Japanese government than sharp swings in its value, top Japanese financial diplomat Masatsugu Asakawa told journalists at a briefing on Tuesday.











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Indonesia unveils port reforms as investors await new investment rules

JAKARTA, March 29 (Reuters) - The amount of time it takes for imports to clear Indonesian ports will be reduced to 3.7 days from 4.7 days under new reforms of procedures, the chief economics minister said.


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TABLE-Indonesia auctions bonds worth 10 trln rupiah, below target

JAKARTA, March 29 (Reuters) - Indonesia's finance ministry sold 10 trillion rupiah ($745.99 million) worth of bonds at an auction on Tuesday, below the indicative target of 12 trillion rupiah. Total incoming bids were 16.05 trillion rupiah. The highest bid-to-cover ratio was 2.18 for the bonds maturing in May 2031. Following is results of the auction. Bids are in trillions of rupiah, yields are in percent. 1-yr T-bills Bonds maturing Sep Bonds maturing M











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Fitch: Basel Foreclosure Proposal May Push EU Insolvency Reform

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) LONDON, March 29 (Fitch) The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's proposal that only mortgages backed by easily realisable collateral should benefit from low risk-weightings might encourage insolvency regime reform in the EU, says Fitch Ratings. Mortgage lending represented 22% of total non-defaulted exposures extended by a large sample of EU banks. Timelines for real-estate foreclosure and liquidation vary significantly betwe


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REFILE-COMMENT-European govvies back on the rollercoaster

LONDON, March 29 (IFR) - About a month ago, IFR asked a senior public sector banker if he could envisage Germany-guaranteed KfW's bond yields dipping below German Bunds in the foreseeable future.


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TABLE-Foreign trading in South Korean stocks

SEOUL, March 29 (Reuters) - Daily net trading in shares on South Korea's main stock exchange by three major categories of investors as of 0721 GMT, in billions of South Korean won (a negative figure indicates net selling):











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S.Korea ruling party pushes for more c.bank easing measures

SEOUL, March 29 (Reuters) - Campaigning for a parliamentary election next month, South Korea's ruling party said on Tuesday it would ask the central bank to employ more aggressive policies to lift economic growth.


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BRIEF-UK healthcare firm Bupa appoints Joy Linton as acting CFO

* Bupa says appoints Joy Linton as acting chief financial officer











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Saudi c.bank net foreign assets fall 1.7 pct m/m in Feb

DUBAI, March 29 (Reuters) - Net foreign assets at Saudi Arabia's central bank dropped 1.7 percent from the previous month to 2.19 trillion riyals ($584 billion) in February, central bank data showed on Tuesday.


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RPT-INSIGHT-With crisis plans and cuts, British bosses brace for Brexit

* British businesses prepare contingency plans for exit from EU











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Taiwan's CTBC in talks to buy $450 mln stake in Thai LH Financial unit -source

TAIPEI, March 29 (Reuters) - CTBC Financial Holding Co , the parent of Taiwan's biggest credit card issuer, is in talks to buy a stake of up to 40 percent in Thai firm LH Financial Group's banking unit, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.


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BRIEF-Compagnie Immobiliere Limitee reports FY profit before income tax of 10 mln rupees

* FY 2015 revenue of 18.4 million rupees versus 17.5 million rupees last year











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Taiwan stocks fall; Hon Hai in focus before earnings

March 29 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks fell on Tuesday, tracking declines in other regional bourses, with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co in focus before the company reports its fourth-quarter earnings later this week.











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Morning News Call - India, March 29

To access the newsletter, click on the link: http://share.thomsonreuters.com/assets/newsletters/Indiamorning/MNC_IN_03292016.pdf FACTORS TO WATCH No major events are scheduled for the day. INDIA TOP NEWS  ONGC board approves $5 billion investment in east coast oil and gas asset India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has approved an investment of 340 billion rupees over the next few years in its east coast oil and gas asset, in a bid to boost production and ben


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Australia shares hit 1-mth lows as banks stumble, NZ up slightly

* Australian banks under pressure on concerns over rising bad debt


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Fitch: Indonesia Bank Support Unchanged By New Financial System Law

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) JAKARTA/SINGAPORE, March 28 (Fitch) The recent approval of the Financial System Crisis Prevention and Mitigation Law by the Indonesian House of Representatives does not materially change the likelihood of government support for domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs), says Fitch Ratings. Fitch continues to believe that the Indonesian government maintains a high propensity to provide support for large banks during times of st











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Fitch Rates Thailand-based TMB's USD Senior Notes Final 'BBB-'

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) BANGKOK/SINGAPORE, March 28 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has assigned a final rating of 'BBB-' to TMB Bank Public Company Limited's (TMB; BBB-/Stable) USD300m 5.5-year senior unsecured notes due October 2021. The notes are issued under TMB's USD3.0bn Euro medium-term note (EMTN) programme, and are issued by the bank's Cayman Islands branch. The EMTN programme was rated 'BBB-' in September 2013. The rating action follows the completion of t











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Yahoo sets April 11 deadline for preliminary bids -WSJ

March 28 (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc has set an April 11 deadline to submit preliminary bids for its web business and Asian assets, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing sources.


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UPDATE 1-Sears CEO Lampert buys some of company's debt -sources

March 28 (Reuters) - Sears Holdings Corp Chief Executive Eddie Lampert has acquired a portion of the company's new $750 million loan in his latest bet on the parent of Sears department stores and Kmart discount shops, people familiar with the matter said.











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BRIEF-MBAC says continuing negotiations with an investment fund active in fertilizer industry

* Continuing negotiations with an investment fund active in fertilizer industry


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BRIEF-Hometrust Bancshares increased size of board from 10 to 13 directors

* Board of Directors has increased size of board from 10 to 13 directors Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:











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UPDATE 1-Buffett boosts Berkshire's Wells Fargo stake to 10 pct

March 28 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc on Monday said it has increased its ownership stake in Wells Fargo & Co to 10 percent, a level that could mean increased federal scrutiny over the investment.


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BRIEF-Och-Ziff Capital Management CEO Daniel Och FY 2015 total compensation $3.2 mln

* Says CEO Daniel Och FY 2015 total compensation $3.2 million versus $1.1. million in FY 2014 Source - http://1.usa.gov/1SrTE79 Further company coverage:


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BRIEF-Midpoint announces private placement of units

* Says private placement of up to 10 million units at a price of $0.10 per unit Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:











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BRIEF-Royce Micro-Cap Trust says average weekly trading volume about 506,000 shares

* Says average weekly trading volume of approximately 506,000 shares as of february 29, 2016


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UPDATE 1-Nasdaq taps ex-Chi-X Global CEO to run North American equities

NEW YORK, March 28 (Reuters) - Transatlantic exchange operator Nasdaq Inc said on Monday it appointed Tal Cohen, the former head of Chi-X Global, as head of its North American equities business.











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Sears CEO Lampert buys some of company's debt -sources

March 28 (Reuters) - Eddie Lampert, the chief executive officer of Sears Holdings Corp, has acquired a portion of the company's new $750 million loan, his latest bet on the parent of Sears department stores and Kmart discount shops, people familiar with the matter said.











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Gundlach says April rate hike 'inconceivable' after lower GDP forecasts

NEW YORK, March 28 (Reuters) - Jeffrey Gundlach, the widely followed investor who runs DoubleLine Capital, said on Monday that an interest-rate increase by the Federal Reserve in April is "inconceivable," given lower forecasts for first-quarter GDP growth.


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BRIEF-Nasdaq has hired former head of Chi-X global, Tal Cohen, to run its equities business in North America- Bloomberg, citing spokesman

* Nasdaq has hired former head of Chi-X global, Tal Cohen, to run its equities business in North America- Bloomberg, citing spokesman











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Ukraine PM frontrunner wants Slovakia's Miklos as finance minister - report

PRAGUE, March 28 (Reuters) - The frontrunner to head a new Ukrainian government has asked Slovak politician Ivan Miklos to serve as his finance minister if he becomes prime minister, a Slovak daily said on Monday.


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U.S. Fed awards $65.48 bln reverse repos

NEW YORK, March 28 (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Monday awarded $65.48 billion of one-day, fixed-rate reverse repurchase agreements to 46 bidders at an interest rate of 0.25 percent, the New York Fed said on its website.











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GLOBAL MARKETS-Dollar dips, Wall St edges up after U.S. data casts doubt on Fed moves

* Investors to focus on Yellen, Fed speakers (Updates prices, data)


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BRIEF-ESSA Bancorp elects new chairman, appoints 2 new directors

* ESSA Bancorp, Inc. Elects new chairman, appoints two new directors


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BRIEF-SEC turned down bid to merge stock and bond exchanges of Philippines - Nikkei

* The Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday turned down a bid to merge the stock and bond exchanges of the Philippines - Nikkei Source text (http://s.nikkei.com/1RAWoPB) Further company coverage:


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Rusal plans to reduce debt by up to $400 mln in 2016 -sources

MOSCOW, March 28 (Reuters) - Russia's aluminium giant Rusal plans to reduce its debt by between $300 million and $400 million this year, according to an analyst and a banking source who met with Rusal officials on Monday.











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Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan team up for US$818m CMBS deal

NEW YORK, March 28 (IFR) - Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan have teamed up for the first time since the crisis to underwrite a conduit commercial mortgage bond by themselves, according to investors and syndicate sources. (Reporting by Joy Wiltermuth; Editing by Marc Carnegie)


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UPDATE 2-Mexico banking regulator fines OHL Mexico $4 million

MEXICO CITY, March 28 (Reuters) - Mexico has fined the embattled Mexican unit of Spanish construction firm OHL 71.7 million pesos ($4.1 million) over inadequacies in its financial reporting, though there was no evidence of fraud, the company said on Monday.











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UPDATE 1-China's Anbang raises offer for Starwood to $14 billion

March 28 (Reuters) - China's Anbang Insurance Group Co has raised its offer for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc to almost $14 billion, in its latest challenge to the U.S. hotel operator's merger with Marriott International Inc .











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MIDEAST STOCKS-Markets narrowly mixed, Dubai holds chart support

* Kuwait Finance House surges on offer to buy affiliate stake


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Belarus to receive loans worth $2 bln from post-Soviet fund

KIEV, March 28 (Reuters) - Belarus and the Eurasian Development bank signed an agreement on Monday on a $2 billion loan to be disbursed in tranches until 2018 to support economic reforms, the Belarussian Finance Ministry said in a statement.











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U.S. fed funds rate remains at 0.37 pct

NEW YORK, March 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. interest rate that the Federal Reserve targets to conduct its monetary policy remained at 0.37 percent for a ninth day on Friday, according to Fed data released on Monday.


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BRIEF-China Merchants Shekou's 2015 net profit up 51.4 pct

March 28 (Reuters) - China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co Ltd











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BRIEF-Swan General reports FY group pre-tax profit of 310.2 mln rupees

* FY group pre-tax profit of 310.2 million rupees versus 296.8 million rupees last year


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BRIEF-Avon adds Cathy Ross to board of directors

* Ross will serve on audit committee and will stand for election at company's 2016 annual meeting of shareholders











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BRIEF-Avon Products and Barington Capital Group reach agreement

* Avon Products Inc and Barington Capital Group L.P. reach agreement


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No bids for $2.7 bln Philippine infrastructure project ahead of May election

MANILA, March 28 (Reuters) - A major Philippine infrastructure project received no bids by a Monday deadline, underscoring worries about the viability of the project and concern that plans could be changed or even scrapped by a new administration after elections in May.


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Russian cenbank to suspend 12-month forex repo auctions from April 1

MOSCOW, March 28 (Reuters) - Russia's central bank said on Monday it will suspend 12-month foreign currency repurchase agreement (repo) auctions from April 1 due to a lack of interest from Russian lending institutions and a shift of demand towards 28-day forex repo auctions.











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Indian shares fall 1 pct; metals, drugmakers drag

MUMBAI, March 28 (Reuters) - Indian shares fell 1 percent on Monday as investors booked profit in recent outperformers such as State Bank of India and Hindalco Industries ahead of a busy week of events, including the release of U.S. economic data and the expiry of domestic derivative contracts.


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UPDATE 1-Spain's Abengoa gets creditor support in bid to avoid bankruptcy

MADRID, March 28 (Reuters) - Spanish renewable energy and engineering firm Abengoa has won the backing of 75 percent of its creditors for a so-called standstill agreement, giving it breathing space to restructure and avoid bankruptcy, it said on Monday.











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UPDATE 1-China's Shenzhen raises property deposit thresholds - Xinhua

* Raises mortgage downpayment requirement for some home buyers


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Morocco's BMCE Bank says 2015 net profit up 1 percent

RABAT, March 28 (Reuters) - Morocco's BMCE Bank of Africa said its net profit rose 1 percent to 1.95 billion dirham ($201.76 million) in 2015.











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TABLE-Foreign trading in South Korean stocks

SEOUL, March 28 (Reuters) - Daily net trading in shares on South Korea's main stock exchange by three major categories of investors as of 0723 GMT, in billions of South Korean won (a negative figure indicates net selling):











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SE Asia Stocks-Most down ahead of U.S. Fed chief speech

March 28 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Monday with Indonesia hitting its lowest in more than two weeks led by financials as investors cautiously awaited cues on U.S. economic growth from the Federal Reserve chief. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will speak on U.S. economic outlook and monetary policy on Tuesday. A few other Fed policymakers are also due to speak on the same day, making the Fed's policy the biggest focus for now.. The Jakarta Composite Index


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Kuwait Finance House gets offer for Aref affiliate from investors

DUBAI, March 28 (Reuters) - Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has received an offer from investors to buy its stake in affiliate Aref Investment Group, the country's biggest Islamic lender said in a bourse statement on Monday.











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Saudi Sipchem says board approves sukuk issuance

DUBAI, March 28 (Reuters) - Saudi International Petrochemical Co (Sipchem) said on Monday that its board had approved issuance of sharia-compliant bonds.


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Morning News Call - India, March 28

To access the newsletter, click on the link: http://share.thomsonreuters.com/assets/newsletters/Indiamorning/MNC_IN_03282016.pdf FACTORS TO WATCH No major events scheduled for the day. INDIA TOP NEWS  Heineken raises stake in India's United Breweries to 43 percent Heineken NV has raised its holding in India's largest brewer United Breweries Ltd to 43 percent by buying 24 million euros worth of additional shares on Wednesday, a spokesman for the Dutch brewer said.


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China stocks firm after rebound in industrial profits

* Industrial shares outperform after Jan-Feb profits rise 4.8 pct











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GLOBAL MARKETS-Dollar, North Asia stocks firm on positive U.S. GDP data

SINGAPORE/TOKYO, March 28 (Reuters) - The dollar firmed on Monday and stocks in North Asia rose after fairly strong consumer spending led to an upward revision in U.S. economic growth in the fourth quarter, helping to underpin investor sentiment.


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Japan's negative rates a looming headache for central bank

TOKYO, March 28 (Reuters) - Driving interest rates below zero, the Bank of Japan has turned a comatose government bond market into an enormous free-for-all, complicating the central bank's own efforts to kick-start growth and end deflation.











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Dell nears sale of IT services unit to Japan's NTT Data -sources

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UPDATE 1-Czechs roll out red carpet for first visit by Chinese president

* Unknown suspect defaces Chinese flags on eve of visit (Adds Chinese state media comment on flags)


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BRIEF-Philippines' Filinvest Land 2015 net income 5.01 bln pesos

* Says 2015 net income 5.01 billion pesos vs 4.54 billion pesos in 2014 Source text for Eikon: nPSX2v2nYy Further company coverage: (Reporting By Enrico Dela Cruz)











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China's Shenzhen raises property deposit thresholds - Xinhua

SHANGHAI, March 28 (Reuters) - The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has raised deposit requirements for some home buyers, the latest in a series of measures being introduced across the country to calm property markets, according to the official Xinhua news agency.











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Avon close to deal with activists over board seat -source

March 27 (Reuters) - Beauty products marketer Avon Products Inc is close to a deal with activist investors in which it will add a new independent director to its board in exchange for the activists backing away from a proxy fight for more board seats, a person familiar with the matter said on Sunday.


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Cheap buyout plans in Singapore? Not so quick, say minority shareholders

SINGAPORE, March 28 (Reuters) - Singapore managements are increasingly being forced to pay up for taking their companies private as minority investors demand bigger premiums to the depressed market valuations of targets, underscoring a growing trend of shareholder activism in Asia.











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RPT-UPDATE 1-Japan looks to kickstart 'fintech' revolution

TOKYO, March 27 (Reuters) - A laggard in embracing the 'fintech', or financial technology, revolution, Japan is set to ease investment restrictions that could free up the flow of capital in an economy sitting on an estimated $9 trillion in individuals' cash deposits.


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REFILE-Brazil's PMDB plans policies for new government if Rousseff is ousted -report

SAO PAULO, March 27 (Reuters) - The Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) is already working on policies including sweeping welfare cuts should their coalition partner President Dilma Rousseff be impeached and it formed the new government, a newspaper said on Sunday.


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Box Office:'Batman v Superman' shatters records with $170.1 mln debut

March 27 (Variety.com) - "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" steamrolled past records, debuting to a gargantuan $170.1 million over Easter weekend despite being pilloried by critics. That ranks as the top opening weekend for a DC Comics film, the best March launch ever, and the sixth biggest domestic opening weekend of all-time.











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CORRECTED-UPDATE 2-Moroccan refiner Samir appeals court decision on liquidation

RABAT, March 25 (Reuters) - Moroccan oil refiner Samir has lodged an appeal against a court decision to put it into liquidation and named an independent trustee to run the company, the refiner's lawyer said on Friday.


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UPDATE 1-Egypt's Sawiris says CI Capital acquisition stalled by security

CAIRO, March 27 (Reuters) - Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris said on Sunday his bid to acquire CI Capital, the investment arm of Egypt's largest listed bank, was being held up by national security concerns and criticised state meddling in business that he said would put off investors.











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Egypt's Sawiris says CI Capital acquisition stalled by security

CAIRO, March 27 (Reuters) - Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris said on Sunday his bid to acquire CI Capital, the investment arm of Egypt's largest listed bank, was being held up by national security concerns and criticised state meddling in business that he said would put off investors.


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Russian billionaire transfers holdings back home after offshore tax hike -media

ZURICH/MOSCOW, March 27 (Reuters) - Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg is transferring some assets registered overseas to his home country in the wake of Moscow's clampdown on offshore money, a Swiss newspaper reported on Sunday.











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BRIEF-CPIC's 2015 net profit up 60.4 pct y/y at 17.7 billion yuan

* Says 2015 net profit up 60.4 percent y/y at 17.7 billion yuan ($2.72 billion)


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BRIEF-Shenzhen Tempus gets regulatory approval to set up reinsurance company with partners

March 27 (Reuters) - Shenzhen Tempus Global Business Service Holding Ltd











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Egypt to offer shares of AAIB and Banque du Caire on bourse

CAIRO, March 27 (Reuters) - Egypt will offer a 40 percent stake in Arab African International Bank (AAIB) and 20 percent of Banque du Caire on the Egyptian stock market at the end of the year, central bank governor Tarek Amer said.


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Bangladesh asks NY Fed, Philippines to help retrieve stolen money

DHAKA, March 27 (Reuters) - The new governor of Bangladesh's central bank has sent formal letters to the New York Fed, as well as central bank and money laundering chiefs in the Philippines, asking them to help recover its stolen $81 million, a senior central bank official said on Sunday.











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MIDEAST STOCKS-Egypt edges up after c.bank dollar injection; Saudi slips

DUBAI, March 27 (Reuters) - Egypt's stock market edged up in early trade on Sunday after central bank Governor Tarek Amer said he had pumped $22 billion into the banking system to clear goods piled at ports, while Saudi Arabia's bourse fell on weak cement and telecommunications shares.











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MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf markets mixed, Dubai's Shuaa loses steam

DUBAI, March 27 (Reuters) - Stock markets in the Gulf were mixed in early trade on Sunday with most shares moving little, as Dubai's Shuaa Capital lost steam after soaring last week.


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MIDEAST STOCKS-Markets may move sideways; few fresh incentives

DUBAI, March 27 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets look set to consolidate in quiet trade on Sunday with few new incentives to trigger buying, after Brent oil recovered most of its intra-day losses on Friday to close above $40 a barrel.











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UPDATE 1-Japan looks to kickstart 'fintech' revolution

TOKYO, March 27 (Reuters) - A laggard in embracing the 'fintech', or financial technology, revolution, Japan is set to ease investment restrictions that could free up the flow of capital in an economy sitting on an estimated $9 trillion in individuals' cash deposits.


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Japan looks to kickstart 'fintech' revolution

TOKYO, March 27 (Reuters) - A laggard in embracing the 'fintech', or financial technology, revolution, Japan is set to ease investment restrictions that could free up the flow of capital in an economy sitting on an estimated $9 trillion in individuals' cash deposits.











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UPDATE 1-British EU exit campaign backed by 250 business leaders

LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) - The campaign for Britain to leave the EU has been backed by 250 business leaders including the former chief executive of HSBC, the Vote Leave group said on Saturday, hoping to counter the view that UK businesses back staying in the bloc.


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Egypt c.bank governor says pumped $22 billion to clear goods piled at ports

CAIRO, March 26 (Reuters) - Egypt's Central Bank Governor Tarek Amer said on Saturday that devaluing the Egyptian pound had attracted foreign investment worth $500 million in treasury bills and that he had pumped $22 billion into the banking system to clear goods piled at ports.


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UPDATE 1-Egypt c.bank governor says pumped $22 billion to clear goods piled at ports

CAIRO, March 26 (Reuters) - Egypt's Central Bank Governor Tarek Amer said on Saturday that devaluing the Egyptian pound had attracted foreign investment worth $500 million in treasury bills and that he had pumped $22 billion into the banking system to clear goods piled at ports.











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BPI Angolan shareholder hopes to resume talks with Caixabank soon

LISBON, March 26 (Reuters) - Santoro Finance, a holding company of Angolan investor Isabel dos Santos, is baffled by Caixabank breaking off talks on a nearly ready deal for the Spanish bank to buy dos Santos's stake in Portuguese lender BPI and hopes to resume negotiations soon.











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(EN) SteamBroker

false

British EU exit campaign backed by 250 business leaders

LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) - The campaign for Britain to leave the EU has been backed by 250 business leaders including the former chief executive of HSBC, the Vote Leave group said on Saturday, hoping to counter the view that UK businesses back staying in the bloc.


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Microsoft meets with private equity over Yahoo deal

Healdsburg, CALIFORNIA, March 26 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp executives are in early talks with potential Yahoo Inc investors about contributing to financing to buy the troubled Internet company, a person familiar with the situation said.











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Right-to-sue debate may fracture Puerto Rico rescue talks in U.S.

WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - Congress will soon decide whether to shield cash-strapped Puerto Rico from investor lawsuits while the island maps a plan to resolve its financial crisis - an intervention that could divide some lawmakers and creditors.


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UPDATE 1-U.S. approves $3.2 bln sale of Boeing P-8A patrol planes to UK

WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. government has approved the sale of up to nine Boeing Co P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol planes to Britain in a deal valued at up to $3.2 billion, the U.S. Defense Department said Friday.


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BRIEF-Royal Financial says progressed on Park Bancorp acquisition and $26.8 mln sale of distressed and other assets

* Execution of a definitive agreement with a new york based asset management firm to sell $25.8 million of distressed assets











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BRIEF-FP Resources USA says in exploratory talks with First Marblehead for possible buyout of co

March 25 (Reuters) - Fp Resources Usa Inc Says It Has Entered Into A Customary Nondisclosure And Standstill Agreement With First Marblehead Corp











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Fitch Revises Angola's Outlook to Negative; Affirms at 'B+'

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) LONDON, March 25 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on Angola's Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) to Negative from Stable and affirmed the IDRs at 'B+'. Fitch has affirmed Angola's Short-term foreign currency IDR at 'B' and the Country Ceiling at 'B+'. The issue rating on Angola's senior unsecured foreign currency bonds has also been affirmed at 'B+'. KEY RATING DRIVERS The revision of











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Fitch Affirms Lithuania at 'A-'; Outlook Stable

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) LONDON, March 25 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has affirmed Lithuania's Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at A-', with Stable Outlooks. The issue ratings on Lithuania's senior unsecured foreign and local currency bonds have also been affirmed at 'A-'. The Country Ceiling has been affirmed at 'AAA' and the Short-term foreign currency IDR at 'F1'. KEY RATING DRIVERS Lithuania's ratings are supported by institu


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UPDATE 2-Moroccan refiner Samir appeals court decision on liquidation

* Court has given firm until June 20 to find solution (Adds tender to buy 8 mln barrels)


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Ex-Honduran president to plead guilty in U.S. in FIFA case

NEW YORK, March 25 (Reuters) - Former Honduran President Rafael Callejas is expected to plead guilty on Monday to U.S. charges stemming from his involvement in bribery schemes under investigation at soccer's world governing body FIFA, according to a court document.


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UPDATE 1-Ex-Honduran president to plead guilty in U.S. FIFA case

NEW YORK, March 25 (Reuters) - Former Honduran President Rafael Callejas is expected to plead guilty on Monday to U.S. charges stemming from his involvement in bribery schemes under investigation at soccer's world governing body FIFA, according to a court document.











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BRIEF-AXA placed 1.5 bln euro notes to refinance part of debt - statement

* Placed to institutional investors to refinance, in advance, part of its outstanding debt Further company coverage: (Reporting by Paris Newsroom)


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Senate's request for info from Ackman related to Valeant-source

BOSTON, March 25 (Reuters) - U.S. legislators investigating price hikes in the pharmaceutical industry have asked William Ackman's hedge fund for information on Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc, according to a person familiar with the matter.











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Belarus may raise pension age to boost economy - minister

MINSK, March 25 (Reuters) - Belarus is likely to raise the state retirement age by three years in gradual stages, Social Security Minister Marianna Shchetkina said on Friday - a reform that would shore up its Soviet-style economy and help it qualify for foreign loans.











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Russia investor, funds pay $18 million to settle U.S. press release hacking case

NEW YORK, March 25 (Reuters) - A Moscow-based hedge fund manager, his investment firms and two Paris-based funds have agreed to pay nearly $18 million to resolve a U.S. regulator's claims that they engaged in insider trading using hacked press releases from newswire services.


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BRIEF-Bank Zenit FY 2015 net result turns to loss of RUB 9.5 bln

* FY 2015 net interest loss 4.18 billion roubles ($61.34 million) versus profit of 4.71 billion roubles year ago


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BRIEF-Soho Development plans to merge by incorporation its wholly owned unit PZO Investment

* Says plans to merge by incorporation its wholly owned unit PZO Investment Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Gdynia Newsroom)


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Fitch: Pershing Square Holdings' 'BBB+' Ratings Not Yet Impacted by Valeant Decline

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) NEW YORK, March 25 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings does not yet see pressure on Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.'s (PSH) 'BBB+' Issuer Default Rating (IDR), senior unsecured debt rating or Stable Outlook, despite the asset value declines experienced over the last several months, capped off by the recent and precipitous drop in PSH's investment in Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (Valeant). Ratings remain supported by very low level











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UPDATE 1-Italy's Monte Paschi denies report ECB asked for 3 bln euro cap hike

MILAN, March 25 (Reuters) - Italian bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena denied on Friday a press report that the European Central Bank had asked it to carry out a capital increase worth up to 3 billion euros ($3.4 billion).


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China-backed bank says more than 30 countries await membership

BOAO, China, March 25 (Reuters) - More than 30 countries are waiting to join the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), adding to its 57 founding members, its president said on Friday.











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UPDATE 2-Turkey's central bank should have cut rates further, Erdogan aide says

ANKARA, March 25 (Reuters) - Turkey's central bank should have cut interest rates more at this week's policy meeting, an aide to President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, in a sign the central bank is likely to remain under pressure to lower the cost of borrowing.











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Kazakhstan's Halyk Bank proposes no dividend for 2015

ALMATY, March 25 (Reuters) - The board of Halyk Bank , Kazakhstan second-biggest bank by assets, has proposed paying no dividends on common shares for 2015, the bank said in a statement on Friday.


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Italy's Monte Paschi denies report ECB asked for 3 bln euro cap hike

MILAN, March 25 (Reuters) - Italian bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena denied on Friday a press report that the European Central Bank had asked it to carry out a capital increase worth up to 3 billion euros ($3.35 billion).


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UPDATE 1-Switzerland to hand Venezuela oil firm bank records to US

ZURICH, March 25 (Reuters) - In a widening corruption probe into Venezuela's state oil company by U.S. authorities, Swiss regulators have agreed to provide U.S. prosecutors with records from at least 18 banks relating to the oil firm.











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BOJ negative rates made simple: all in 5 minutes

TOKYO, March 25 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan published an easy-to-understand note on negative interest rates on Friday, in an effort to explain to the public key elements of its controversial policy.











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BRIEF-First Capital acquires 5.49 percent stake in Triboo Media

* Acquires 5.49 percent stake in Triboo Media SpA for about 2 million euros ($2.23 million) Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: ($1 = 0.8957 euros) (Gdynia Newsroom)


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BRIEF-Beijing Urban Construction's 2015 profit up 4.1 pct, to issue preference shares

March 25 (Reuters) - Beijing Urban Construction Investment & Development Co Ltd











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SE Asia Stocks-Malaysia at 1-week low; Vietnam rebounds

BANGKOK, March 25 (Reuters) - Malaysia's key stock index hit a more than one-week low, while the Thai benchmark fell for a second day on Friday as a strong U.S. dollar dented sentiment in the region but Vietnam rebounded after a trade surplus in the first quarter of 2016. Kuala Lumpur composite index ended the day down 0.68 percent at the lowest close since March 17. It posted a weekly decline of 0.7 percent after three straight weeks of increases. Among top index losers, Sapurakencana


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BRIEF-Citychamp Dartong's 2015 net profit down 71.7 pct

* Says 2015 net profit down 71.7 percent y/y at 212.4 million yuan ($32.62 million)











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Yokohama Rubber to buy Alliance Tire Group for about $1.2 bln

TOKYO, March 25 (Reuters) - Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd said on Friday it had agreed to buy Alliance Tire Group B.V. from private equity firm KKR & Co LP and others for about $1.2 billion in a bid to expand its commercial tyre business.


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BRIEF-Invl Baltic Farmland decides on FY 2015 dividend

* Says to distribute FY 2015 dividend of 0.066 euro ($0.0737) per share


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BRIEF-Gabetti Property Solutions FY net loss widens to EUR 6.2 mln

* Reported on Thursday its FY revenue from agency activity 14.3 million euros ($15.96 million) versus 14.6 million euros a year ago











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China stocks little change despite yuan weakness, property curbs

* Stock investors appear unfazed by yuan's weakness this week


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REFILE-UPDATE 4-Premier Foods investors urge McCormick talks after Nissin deal

LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) - Two major shareholders in Premier Foods urged it on Thursday to hold talks with U.S. suitor McCormick, after the British company formed an alliance with Japanese instant noodle maker Nissin Foods .











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UPDATE 1-Adviser Glass Lewis supports some Elliott proposals on Hong Kong's BEA vote

HONG KONG, March 24 (Reuters) - Proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis has recommended investors in Bank of East Asia Ltd (BEA) reject many of the same proposals opposed by activist investor Elliott Management Corp in a dispute with management of the family-run Hong Kong lender.


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UPDATE 1-Shanghai rolls out tightening measures to cool home market

* Rules to have big impact on the housing market-analyst (Adds details, comments)


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S.Korea c.bank chief told low interest rates pose risk to banks

SEOUL, March 25 (Reuters) - South Korea's central bank said private economists warned its chief on Friday that interest rates remaining low for a long time could increase the risk to financial stability by depressing profits of banks and finance-sector firms.











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BRIEF-Ocwen Financial announces amendment to senior secured term loan

* Ocwen financial announces amendment to senior secured term loan











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UPDATE 1-Microsoft told potential Yahoo bidders it might back bids -report

March 24 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp executives are in talks with equity firms considering bids for Yahoo Inc! saying that Microsoft might be willing to offer "significant financing" for their efforts, tech news site Recode reported on Thursday.


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BRIEF-Preferred Bank declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share

* Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share payable on april 21, 2016 Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Bengaluru Newsroom; ; +1 646 223 8780)


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BRIEF-Firm Capital Property three months ended Dec 31 FFO per unit $0.105

* Three months ended december 31, 2015 ffo and affo per unit of $0.105 and $0.110 per unit Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Bengaluru Newsroom; ; +1 646 223 8780)


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CORRECTED-OFFICIAL-Citigroup says being investigated in Germany over dividend trades

FRANKFURT, March 22 (Reuters) - Citigroup is being investigated by German tax authorities over an equity trading strategy known as "cum-ex," or "dividend stripping," the U.S. bank said on Tuesday.











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BRIEF-Japan Post Bank to raise deposit limit from April 1

* Japan Post Bank says to raise maximum deposit limit to 13 million yen ($115,228) from 10 million yen from April 1


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Foreigners scoop up Asian equities as China, global growth concerns ease

SINGAPORE, March 25 (Reuters) - Foreign investors are starting to make a beeline for Asia, buying up regional stocks at their fastest clip in almost a year thanks to attractive valuations, signs of stability in Chinese markets and fresh liquidity support from the world's top central banks.


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UPDATE 3-Russia, USA agree to speed up Syria peace effort

* Washington hopes Russia can unblock negotiations (Updates with remarks from news conference)


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BRIEF-ONEnergy qtrly revenues from cont ops of $5.9 mln, up 88 pct

* Loss from continuing operations were $2.7 million during quarter compared to a loss from continuing operations of $3.1 million











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UPDATE 1-CBO charts federal subsidies for U.S. health insurance coverage

WASHINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) - U.S. taxpayers will fork over $660 billion this year to subsidize health insurance for people under 65, the vast majority of whom have coverage through their employers, the Congressional Budget Office said on Thursday.


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U.S. judge questions Lyft settlement over driver benefits

SAN FRANCISCO, March 24 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge questioned on Thursday whether a proposed class action settlement between Lyft and its California drivers is fair and raised concerns that the $12.25 million payment offered by the ride-hailing service might be too low.











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Ackman's hedge fund cooperating with U.S. on drug pricing probe -letter

BOSTON, March 24 (Reuters) - Billionaire investor William Ackman on Thursday told investors that his hedge fund is cooperating with a request for information from the U.S. government, which is probing the pharmaceutical industry.


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CORRECTED-UPDATE 4-U.S. indicts Iranians for hacking dozens of banks, New York dam

WASHINGTON/BOSTON, March 24 (Reuters) - Seven Iranian hackers conducted a coordinated cyber attack on dozens of U.S. banks, causing millions of dollars in lost business, and tried to shut down a New York dam, the U.S. government said on Thursday in an indictment that for the first time accused individuals tied to another country of trying to disrupt critical infrastructure.











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Blackrock trials new financial messaging system

LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) - Blackrock said on Thursday it was testing new financial messaging app Symphony, the first big global asset manager to confirm it is moving ahead with the system designed to address concerns over security and costs of monitoring staff online.


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CORRECTED-CBO says ACA insurance provisions to cost $110 bln net in 2016

WASHINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) - Federally subsidized health insurance coverage provided under President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act will cost the U.S. government a net $110 billion in 2016, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office said on Thursday.











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BRIEF-Frazier Healthcare VI, L.P. reports 9.07 pct stake in Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc as of May 12, 2015 - SEC filing

* Frazier healthcare VI, L.P. Reports 9.07 pct stake in Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc as of May 12, 2015 - SEC filing Source text (http://1.usa.gov/1ZxgKfr) Further company coverage:











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Second Premier Foods shareholder urges talks with McCormick

LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) - Paulson & Co, a top ten shareholder in Premier Foods, urged the company's board to engage in takeover discussions with McCormick, becoming the second sizeable shareholder to criticise the board for its refusal to enter talks with its U.S. suitor.


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European shares fall as commodity stocks and Next slide

LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) - European equities fell for a fourth straight session on Thursday, weighed down by a drop in the shares of major mining and energy companies, while fashion retailer Next also slumped.


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BRIEF-Mid Penn Bancorp appoints Michael Peduzzi as CFO

* Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc. appoints new chief financial officer











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U.S. judge sets April 21 deadline for VW diesel fix

SAN FRANCISCO, March 24 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday gave Volkswagen AG and U.S. regulators until April 21 to agree on a fix for the nearly 600,000 diesel vehicles on U.S. roadways caught up in VW's massive emissions cheating scandal.


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Fitch Revises UBI's Outlook to Negative; Affirms 'BBB'

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) MILAN/BARCELONA/LONDON, March 24 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has revised UBI Banca's (UBI) Outlook to Negative from Stable, while affirming the Long-term IDR (IDR) at 'BBB'. A full list of rating actions is available at the end of this rating action commentary. The rating actions follow a periodic review of the bank. The Long-term IDR is driven by the standalone financial strength of UBI as expressed by its Viability Rating (VR). KEY RAT











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BRIEF-Polish regulator recommends Getin, BGZ retain 2015 profits

* Polish financial watchdog KNF recommended that local lenders Getin Noble Bank and BGZ BNP Paribas, a unit of French BNP, retain their 2015 profits to raise capital ratios, the banks said on Thursday.











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Court bars Tribune Co creditors from unwinding 2007 buyout

WILMINGTON, Del, March 24 (Reuters) - A U.S. Appeals Court has ruled that creditors of the Tribune Co cannot claw back the $8 billion paid to the multimedia company's public shareholders nearly a decade ago in a buyout that was blamed for its bankruptcy.


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Sao Tome and Principe to see 2016 GDP growth of 5 pct - IMF

ABIDJAN, March 24 (Reuters) - Sao Tome and Principe's economy will grow by five percent this year, up from four percent last year, the International Monetary Fund said in a statement on Thursday following a mission to the West African island nation.











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US high-grade Q1 volumes near new record

NEW YORK, March 24 (IFR) - US high-grade issuance volumes are close to a new record for the quarter - after surviving a surge in volatility, geopolitical risks and weakness in oil prices early in the year - thanks to jumbo M&A financings and even a quirk in the calendar.


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UPDATE 1-Egypt bank CEOs purged as central bank sets 9-year term limit

CAIRO, March 24 (Reuters) - Egypt's central bank placed a time limit on the tenures of CEOs of commercial lenders on Thursday, setting in motion a purge of several top executives that puts it on a likely collision course with the country's banking sector.











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Fitch Affirms Ghana at 'B'; Outlook Negative

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) HONG KONG, March 24 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has affirmed Ghana's Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at 'B' with a Negative Outlook. Fitch also affirmed the issue ratings on Ghana's senior unsecured foreign and local currency bonds at 'B', as well as the 'BB-' rating on Ghana's USD1bn partially guaranteed note. Ghana's Country Ceiling and the Short-term foreign currency IDR have been affirmed at 'B'. KEY


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BRIEF-Terra Firma Capital reports Q4 earnings per share C$0.03

* Terra firma capital corporation reports fourth quarter & full year 2015 financial results











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BRIEF-Terra Firma Capital has appointed Glenn Watchorn as CEO

* Terra firma capital corporation announces changes in senior management


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Deutsche Bank hiring 100 staff to boost equities trading-source

LONDON/FRANKFURT, March 24 (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank is hiring about 100 people to boost its equities trading operations as it seeks to recover ground in an area seen as vital to its new strategy, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.











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EU financial regulatory machine sputters as crisis-era urgency wanes

LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) - An engineered slowdown in European Union financial rulemaking has turned into outright stalling in parts, holding back reforms to boost growth and leaving banks unclear over future business models.


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Fitch: Guangzhou R&F's Ratings Not Affected by Consent Solicitation

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) HONG KONG/SHANGHAI, March 24 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings says today that ratings on Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd. (R&F; BB/Negative) and its bonds due in 2016, 2019, 2020 will not be affected even if the proposed waivers and amendments in the consent solicitation announced on 24 March 2016 are adopted. The principal purpose of the consent solicitation is to obtain waiver from bondholders to avoid a technical default and give the compa











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RPT-DEALTALK-More Wall Street banks, investors help write blank checks

March 24 (Reuters) - An obscure corner of the U.S. IPO market is getting a new lease on life as more Wall Street banks and institutional investors turn to blank-check acquisition vehicles, once the domain of only a few underwriters and hedge funds, for better fortunes.


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SE Asia Stocks-Fall; Singapore hits 1-wk low on expansionary budget

BANGKOK, March 24 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Thursday as a stronger dollar curbed risk appetite, with the Singapore index hitting a one-week low after the country adopted an expansionary stance in the national budget to counter lacklustre growth. Singapore's key Straits Times Index slipped 1.2 percent to its lowest close since March 16, taking losses on the week to about 2 percent. The city-state's bourse will be closed on Friday for the Easter weekend holiday. T











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BRIEF-American homes 4 rent announces election of new trustee

* American homes 4 rent announces election of new trustee Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:


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Russian FinMin: budget deficit seen at 3 pct of GDP in 2016 if oil at $40/bbl

MOSCOW, March 24 (Reuters) - Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Thursday the country's budget deficit was seen at 3 percent of GDP in 2016 under an oil price of $40 a barrel. (Reporting by Katya Golubkova, Darya Korsunskaya and Polina Devitt; Writing by Alexander Winning; Editing by Dmitry Solovyov)











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Fitch Affirms and Withdraws HSBC Sri Lanka Branch at 'AAA'(lka)

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) COLOMBO/TAIPEI, March 24 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings Lanka has affirmed and simultaneously withdrawn the rating of HSBC Sri Lanka Branch's (HSBCSL) National Long-Term Rating at 'AAA(lka)' with a Stable Outlook due to commercial reasons. KEY RATING DRIVERS NATIONAL RATINGS HSBCSL's rating is at the highest end of the National Rating scale and reflects the credit profile and financial strength of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporat


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Dutch regulator fines 'big 4' accounting firms

AMSTERDAM, March 24 (Reuters) - The Dutch financial markets authority AFM said on Thursday it had levied fines totalling 2.23 million euros ($2.5 million) on the big four accounting firms, saying there had been shortcomings in the audits of many Dutch companies' annual reports in 2011 and 2012.


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Russian economy minister says three banks should lead privatisation

MOSCOW, March 24 (Reuters) - Russian Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said on Thursday he believed that Russia's privatisation programme should be led by three banks.











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Credit Suisse says CEO Thiam received $19.4 mln in 2015

ZURICH, March 24 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam received 18.9 million Swiss francs ($19.37 million) in 2015, according to the Swiss bank's annual report published on Thursday.


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BRIEF-Pop Milano, Banco Popolare to resume trading after merger agreement

* Shares, and relative derivative securities, in Banca Popolare di Milano and Banco Popolare to resume trading on Thursday On Wednesday the cooperative lenders agreed to merge in a much-anticipated deal to create Italy's third-biggest bank.











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Starboard to launch proxy fight to remove Yahoo's entire board - WSJ

March 24 (Reuters) - Activist hedge fund Starboard Value LP, which is leading an investor revolt against Yahoo Inc's management team, is seeking to remove the entire board of the struggling Internet company, the Wall Street Journal reported.











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MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf could edge down with oil, cabinet reshuffle buoy Egypt

DUBAI, March 24 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets may edge down on Thursday in line with oil prices and global bourses, while hopes that a new cabinet could galvanise Egypt's economy may continue to support the bourse there.


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UPDATE 2-ANZ warns of bigger credit hit from resources exposure

* Bad debt charge f'cast revised to over A$900 mln from A$800 mln











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China stocks fall as state media reports resumption of short-selling

SHANGHAI, March 24 (Reuters) - China stocks fell on Thursday morning after state media reported that 35 domestic brokerages have resumed short-selling business after a long hiatus.


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BRIEF-Dalian Wanda Commercial says will halt land purchase and development in lower tier cities

March 24 (Reuters) - Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties Co Ltd











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Homeownership increasingly difficult for average Americans - report

NEW YORK, March 24 (Reuters) - Home prices are rising faster than wages in most of the United States, making homeownership increasingly difficult for average Americans in some of the most populous areas of the country, according to a report released on Thursday.


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Australia shares hit 3-week lows, NZ recoils from record high

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell to their lowest in three weeks on Thursday, while their New Zealand counterparts recoiled from yet another record high as investors turned defensive ahead of the Easter long weekend.


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Fitch Affirms DBS Taiwan at 'AA-'/Stable

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) TAIPEI/HONG KONG/SINGAPORE, March 23 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has affirmed DBS Bank (Taiwan) Ltd's (DBS Taiwan) Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'AA-' and its National Long-Term Rating at 'AAA(twn)'. The Outlook is Stable. A full rating breakdown is provided at the end of the commentary. KEY RATING DRIVERS IDRS, NATIONAL RATINGS AND SUPPORT RATING The affirmation of IDRs, National Ratings and Support Ratings reflects Fitch's v











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China stocks fall as brokerages resume short-selling business

SHANGHAI, March 24 (Reuters) - China's major stock indexes fell on Thursday after state media reported 35 domestic brokerages have resumed short-selling business after a long hiatus.


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BRIEF-iStar announces pricing of $275 mln unsecured senior notes

* Istar announces pricing of $275 million unsecured senior notes











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The irony of negative rates: Japanese investors flock to Europe & vice-versa

TOKYO, March 24 (Reuters) - Disenchanted by the negative returns at home, Japanese investors are pumping historically high volumes of cash into overseas markets, with most of it paradoxically going into another developed market with negative policy rates - the euro zone.


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UPDATE 1-BOJ board debated rolling back negative rates -March mtg summary

* Others said negative rate exerting intended effects (Adds details, background)


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CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-Sun Life eyes more Asia expansion after Indonesian deal

TORONTO, March 23 (Reuters) - Sun Life Financial Inc expects to make further acquisitions in Asia, the Canadian insurer said, after agreeing on Wednesday to take full control of its Indonesian business by buying out partner CIMB Group.











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UPDATE 1-Frazier Healthcare raises $525 mln for healthcare fund

March 23 (Reuters) - Private-equity firm Frazier Healthcare Partners said on Wednesday it had raised $525 million to invest in small healthcare companies.


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BRIEF-BancorpSouth files for mixed shelf of up to $675 mln

* Files for mixed shelf of up to $675 million - sec filing Source text: Further company coverage: (Bengaluru Newsroom +91 80 6749-1130; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780)


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Corporate China grubbing for cash as liquidity tightens

* Chinese firms take 170 days to turn working capital to cash











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Obama sees no Middle East peace deal before his presidency ends

BUENOS AIRES, March 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he did not expect a breakthrough on Middle East peace before he leaves office and reiterated his support for a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians could live peacefully side by side.











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