HP to acquire software maker Opsware for $1.6 bln

(Reuters) - NEW YORK, July 23 - Computer and printer maker Hewlett-Packard said on Monday that it would acquire Opsware Inc. for $1.6 billion to bolster its line-up of business software offerings.



HP said it would tender for all outstanding shares of Opsware, a supplier of software used to automate computer data centers, at $14.25 each, a 38.6 percent premium to Opsware's closing price of $10.28 on Nasdaq on Friday.


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Asian Stocks Rise for First Day in Four; BHP, JFE Holdings Gain on Metals

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks rose for the first time
in four days, led by BHP Billiton and Zijin Mining Group Co.,
after copper, gold and oil prices gained.

JFE Holdings Inc., Japan's second-biggest steelmaker, and
Posco climbed after UBS AG said slowing global production is
``supportive'' of prices. China, the world's biggest consumer of
steel, today reported its economy grew in the second quarter at
the fastest pace in 12 years.


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Australia's S&P/ASX Rises to a Record; BHP, Alumina Lead Miners Higher

(Bloomberg) -- Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index climbed
to a record. BHP Billiton Ltd. and Alumina Ltd. jumped after Rio
Tinto Group's plan to buy Alcan Inc. spurred expectations of more
takeovers in the mining industry.

``It's more than likely that further consolidation will occur
in the mining sector,'' said Rob Patterson, who manages $3.2
billion at Argo Investments Ltd. in Adelaide, and holds BHP and
Rio Tinto shares. ``Rio clearly thinks it's a good idea and as a
shareholder I'm not going to pour acid on it.''


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U.K. Stocks Including Marks & Spencer, Drax Rise; BHP Billiton Declines

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. stocks including Marks & Spencer
Plc and Drax Group Plc advanced. Antofagasta Plc and BHP Billiton
paced declining shares.

The benchmark FTSE 100 Index added 7.2, or 0.1 percent, to
6719.9 in London at 8:06 a.m. The FTSE All-Share Index added 2.9,
or 0.1 percent, to 3466.53. Ireland's ISEQ Index slipped 29.89 to
9403.08.


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Asian Stocks Resume July Rally on Economic Growth, Oil; Samsung Climbs

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks resumed their July rally
on signs economic growth in Japan and South Korea is accelerating
and as crude oil traded near a 10-month high.

Japan's Komatsu Ltd. gained the most in a week after a
government report showed machinery orders rose more than forecast
in May. Samsung Electronics Co. led the Kospi index to a fourth
straight high after the commerce ministry raised its forecast for
South Korean exports. BHP Billiton Ltd., Australia's largest oil
explorer, climbed for an eighth day.


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S.African stock market up on resource strength

(Reuters) - South Africa's stock market ended in the positive on Thursday, driven by strong performance of resources stocks such as BHP Billiton despite continued nervousness around interest rates.

"Generally the market is uncertain, interest rates is worrying investors particularly with the Bank of England raising interest rates," Tubby Goodwin, a trader from Investec Securities said.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Australian Stocks Advance for a Second Day, Led by BHP; Exporters Decline

(Bloomberg) -- Australian shares gained for a second
day. BHP Billiton Ltd. climbed after yesterday announcing the
approval of its $1.7 billion Pyrenees oil field project off the
coast of northwestern Australia.

CSR Ltd. rose after Guinness Peat Group Plc said it bought
more than 6 percent of the company's shares.


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Australian Shares Gain, Led by BHP Billiton, Rio; Wesfarmers, Coles Drop

(Bloomberg) -- Australian stocks advanced, led by BHP
Billiton Ltd. and Woodside Petroleum Ltd. after metals prices rose
and oil climbed to a 10-month high.

Wesfarmers Ltd., Australia's biggest home improvement chain,
fell after it agreed to buy retailer Coles Group Ltd. for A$20.7
billion ($17.7 billion) in the nation's biggest ever takeover.


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Australian Shares Rise, Led by BHP, Rio Tinto on Higher Metals, Oil Prices

(Bloomberg) -- Australian stocks gained for a second
day. BHP Billiton Ltd., Rio Tinto Group and Woodside Petroleum Ltd.
climbed along with the price of commodities such as copper, zinc
and crude oil.

The S&P/ASX 200 gained 10.30, or 0.2 percent, to 6275.90 at
10:11 a.m. in Sydney. About the same number of shares rose and
fell. The index is set to decline 1.7 percent this week.


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European Stocks Drop for Fifth Day; Axa, BHP, Northern Rock Pace Retreat

(Bloomberg) -- European stocks fell for a fifth day
on speculation higher borrowing costs will reduce economic and
profit growth.

Deutsche Bank AG, Germany's biggest bank, and Axa SA,
Europe's second-largest insurer, paced declines by companies
sensitive to rising interest rates. Northern Rock Plc tumbled
more than 10 percent after the U.K. bank said earnings growth
will miss analysts' estimates as rates increased more than
expected. BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company,
paced a drop in metal stocks as copper prices fell.


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European Stocks May Drop for Fifth Day; Total, BHP, Northern Rock May Fall

(Bloomberg) -- European stocks may fall for a fifth
day, paced by energy and basic-resources shares as crude oil
traded near a nine-day low and metals prices dropped.

U.S.-traded securities of Total SA and Eni SpA declined. BHP
Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group retreated in Australian
trading. Northern Rock Plc, the U.K.'s seventh-largest bank, may
fall after saying it sees 2007 profit growth missing analysts'
estimates as interest rates rose more than expected.


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Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Falls, Led by BHP Billiton, Rio on Metals Prices

(Bloomberg) -- Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index
dropped, snapping four days of gains. BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio
Tinto Group fell after metals prices slid, and on speculation
they may bid for Canada's Alcan Inc.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index slipped 13.90, or 0.2 percent, to
6358.10 as of 10:27 a.m. in Sydney. About five stocks rose for
every four that fell.


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UPDATE 3-BHP eyeing rival bid for Alcan - sources

(Reuters) - NEW YORK/SYDNEY, June 19 - BHP Billiton Ltd.
, the world's largest mining group, is considering a
bid to rival a $28.7 billion offer for aluminium producer Alcan
Inc. , and has hired investment bank Merrill Lynch & Co.
, sources familiar with the matter said.




The emergence of BHP as a possible white knight in the face
of Alcoa Inc.'s hostile offer for Alcan came as Alcoa's
stock hit a six-year high on a report that the U.S. aluminum
company, and not its Canadian rival Alcan, was a target of BHP.
Alcoa stock eased to close less than 1 percent higher.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Australian Shares Decline, Led by BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto on Lower Metals

(Bloomberg) -- Australian stocks fell, snapping three
days of gains. BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group dropped after
metals prices declined.

``The bullishness we've seen among the mining stocks over the
past few years hasn't taken account of the risk of the global
economy slowing,'' said Angus Gluskie, who manages about $380
million at White Funds Management in Sydney. ``We have been very
aware of the potential for an economic pullback and so we haven't
been as keen on resources stocks as other investors.''


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

BHP Billiton revives Alcoa bid plans: paper

(Reuters) - Alcoa has itself made a $28.4 billion cash-and-stock hostile takeover offer for Alcan Inc. .




BHP was not immediately available for comment.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

Asian Stocks Rebound From Two-Week Low on Fed Report; Toyota, Samsung Gain

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks rebounded from a two-
week low as U.S. retail sales jumped and bond yields dropped
after the Federal Reserve's Beige Book survey showed the world's
biggest economy was growing without stoking inflation.

Toyota Motor Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. advanced as
concern eased that demand in the region's largest export market
will slow. BHP Billiton Ltd. led mining shares higher after
metals prices climbed.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Coal Shipments From Australia's Newcastle Port to Be Disrupted for Days

(Bloomberg) -- Coal shipments from Australia's
Newcastle port, the world's biggest coal-export harbor, will be
disrupted all week after storms closed the terminals and flooding
and landslips affected the railway to the port.

About two million metric tons of shipments may be lost as a
result of the disruptions which may last until June 15, the
Hunter Valley Coal Chain Logistics Team, the coordinator of coal
movements along the rail system and through the port, said in a
statement. BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company,
declared force majeure on deliveries, while Rio Tinto Group
closed three mines in the Hunter Valley.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

European Stocks Rise, Led by Axa, Financial Shares; BHP, ThyssenKrupp Gain

(Bloomberg) -- European stocks rose for the first
time in six days as renewed takeover speculation lifted mining
and steel companies.

BHP Billiton Ltd. led mining companies higher after UBS AG
said mergers and acquisitions in the industry ``will continue to
accelerate.'' ThyssenKrupp AG fueled a rally by steelmakers after
Interfax reported the world's biggest stainless steelmaker is
interested in acquisitions to expand. Axa SA, Rodamco Europe NV
and Deutsche Bank AG led gains by financial-related companies,
among the hardest hit in last week's sell-off.


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FTSE 100 Index Gains, Led by Vodafone; BHP Billiton, DSG Shares Increase

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. stocks rose, led by Vodafone
Group Plc, the world's largest mobile-phone company. An
investor group called on the company to pay as much as 38
billion pounds ($76 billion) to shareholders.

BHP Billiton paced an increase in shares of mining
companies. FKI Plc declined.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

European Stocks Climb to 6 1/2-Year High; E.ON, ASML, BHP Pace the Gains

(Bloomberg) -- European stocks rallied, sending the
Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index to the highest since September 2000,
after E.ON AG said it will buy back $9.4 billion in shares and
Belgian billionaire Albert Frere bought a stake in Iberdrola SA.

E.ON and Iberdrola led utility shares to an all-time high.
Scottish & Southern Energy Plc rose after earnings beat analysts'
estimates. ASML Holding NV climbed the most in six weeks on plans
to pay cash to shareholders. BHP Billiton Ltd. paced a rebound in
mining stocks as copper advanced and the company named a new
chief executive officer.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News