LSE Credit Rating Is Placed on Review for Possible Downgrade by Moody's

(Bloomberg) -- London Stock Exchange Plc, which
agreed to buy Borsa Italiana SpA on June 23 for 1.63 billion
euros ($2.2 billion), has been put on review by Moody's Investors
Services for possible downgrade of its debt rating.

The decision to review the LSE's rating follows the
announcement that the exchange had reached agreement with the
board of Borsa Italiana on the terms of the recommended offer,
Moody's said today in an e-mailed statement.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

London Stock Exchange, Italian Bourse to Hold Merger Talks, Two People Say

(Bloomberg) -- London Stock Exchange Plc, Europe's
third-largest trading platform, reached agreement with Borsa
Italiana SpA on a takeover as the two exchanges respond to
increased competition, two people familiar with the plan said.

The London bourse will offer about 1.6 billion euros ($2.2
billion) for Borsa Italiana, news agency Ansa reported. Borsa
Italiana's board authorized Chief Executive Officer Massimo
Capuano to negotiate the merger with the LSE after a two-hour
board meeting in Milan, said the people, who declined to be
identified before the companies release a statement.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Absa plans 500 mln euros bond issue

(Reuters) - South Africa's Absa Bank, a unit of Absa Group, plans to issue up to 500 million euros in senior unsecured bonds, it said on Thursday.

The bonds will be issued under a 2 billion euros medium term note (EMTN) programme to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.


Read more at Reuters Africa