Swedish Krona Gains on Signs Growth Is Quickening, Interest Rate Outlook

(Bloomberg) -- Sweden's krona rose on expectations
faster economic growth and further interest-rate increases will
make the Nordic currency more attractive to investors.

The Stockholm-based Riksbank, Sweden's central bank, said in
June it will probably lift its benchmark rate twice more this
year bringing it to 4 percent. Gross domestic product growth
quickened to an annual 3.6 percent in the second quarter from 3
percent in the first, the statistics office said last week.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Arrow Energy Signs Agreements to Develop Coal Seam Gas Ventures in China

(Bloomberg) -- Arrow Energy NL, an Australian
producer of gas from coal seams, signed two venture agreements
with companies in China's Liaoning province as it seeks to start
production of the fuel in the Asian nation.

The accords with Shenyang Gas Co. and Liaohe Petroleum
Development Co., a unit of China National Petroleum Corp., follow
similar agreements signed over the past weeks, Brisbane-based
Arrow said today in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange.
Arrow now has seven projects in three geographic regions in the
Asian nation, it said.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Brazil stocks, currency slide on US credit worries

(Reuters) - The benchmark Bovespa index of the Sao Paulo Stock
Exchange slid 3.37 percent to close at 52,846.38 points, its
worst one-day decline since July 26 when the index lost 3.76
percent amid similar concerns about the U.S. credit market.




Brazil's currency, the real , weakened 1.4 percent to
close at 1.902 per U.S. dollar.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

MetLife posts sharply higher Q2 net, exceeds view

(Reuters) - MetLife's shares rose modestly in aftermarket trading to $60.50 from their close at $60.22 on the New York Stock Exchange. In the last 12 months, MetLife rose 17 percent compared to an 8 percent gain in the Standard & Poor's insurance index .




MetLife's success as an investor in the second quarter was due in part to joint ventures with hedge funds and private equity. MetLife has said it plans to increase its stake in these joint ventures.


Read more at Reuters.com Market News

All Nippon, NEC, Hitachi, Mizuho, Mazda, NEC, Ibiden: Japan Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may move in
Japanese markets. Prices are as of the close of trading.
Statements were released after the close. Stock symbols are in
parentheses.

All Nippon Airways Co. (9205 JT): Japan's largest domestic
carrier said first-quarter net income rose 11-fold to 87.4
billion yen ($736 million) as it sold a group of hotels, masking
a drop in operating profit. The stock slid 3 yen, or 0.7 percent,
to 450.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

UPDATE 1-Anadarko shares up as 2nd-qtr profit tops Street

(Reuters) - HOUSTON, July 31 - Shares of independent oil and
gas producer Anadarko Petroleum Corp. climbed on
Tuesday, a day after the company reported better-than-expected
quarterly earnings and raised its annual production forecast.




Houston-based Anadarko's shares initially rose more than 5
percent, but fell back a bit and were trading up 4.4 percent,
or $2.20 at $52.30 on the New York Stock Exchange at midday.


Read more at Reuters.com Market News

Citigroup, Moody's and Wm. Wrigley Jr.: U.S. Equity Option Market Movers

(Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies
with unusual option trading in U.S. exchanges today. Stock
symbols are in parentheses after company names. Option trading
and stock prices are as of 4 p.m. in New York.

Each call option gives investors the right to buy 100 shares
of a company at a certain price, called the strike price, by a
given date. A put conveys the right to sell 100 shares.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Rubber Futures Advance to Five-Week High in Tokyo as Stockpiles Decline

(Bloomberg) -- Rubber futures in Tokyo rose to the
highest in five weeks after stockpiles of the material in Tokyo
Commodity Exchange warehouses fell to the lowest since December.

Stockpiles declined to 8,238 metric tons as of July 20, down
14 percent from 9,544 tons as of July 10, and the lowest since
Dec. 10, according to the exchange. Rain has slowed output from
Thailand, the world's largest producer, which may be contributing
to the lower inventories.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

Barclays, HSBC, Beazley, Pearson, EMI Group Plc: U.K., Irish Stock Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may rise or fall
in U.K. and Irish markets today. Stock symbols are in parentheses
and prices are from the last market close.

The benchmark FTSE 100 Index dropped 36.00, or 0.6 percent,
to 6215.20. The FTSE All-Share Index declined 18.24, or 0.6
percent, to 3210.69.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

South Korea's Stocks Fall on U.S. Housing Concern; Hyundai Heavy Declines

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean stocks fell for the
third day. Kookmin Bank led declines on concern a deepening U.S.
housing slump will damp the world's biggest economy and prompt
investors to shun riskier assets.

The Kospi index dropped 17.86, or 1 percent, to 1,865.36 as
of 9:25 a.m. in Seoul. Stocks plunged on July 27 by the most in
more than three years, wiping out $46 billion in market value.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Treasuries Rise as Slide in Global Stocks Spurs Investors to Reduce Risk

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. Treasuries rose for a fourth
day as investors sold stocks and corporate bonds and sought the
relative safety of government debt.

Ten-year securities headed for a third weekly gain as Asian
stock markets slid the most in four months, extending a rout in
global equities. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average slumped 2.3
percent on speculation a worsening U.S. housing slump will slow
growth in the world's biggest economy.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

Santos Second-Quarter Sales Decline on Higher Currency, Delayed Shipments

(Bloomberg) -- Santos Ltd., Australia's third-
biggest oil and gas producer, said second-quarter revenue fell
8.3 percent as the rising Australian dollar reduced the value of
exports and some shipments fell outside the period.

Sales fell to A$633.8 million ($562 million) in the three
months ended June 30, from A$691.5 million a year earlier, the
Adelaide-based company said in a statement to the Australian
Stock Exchange. Production rose 4.7 percent to the equivalent of
15.6 million barrels of oil, a record for the second quarter, and
sales volumes fell 4.9 percent to 15.4 million barrels.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average, Topix Fall; Toyota, Mizuho Lead Decline

(Bloomberg) -- Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average
fell 45.90, or 0.3 percent, to 17,812.52 at 9:02 a.m. in Tokyo.
The broader Topix index dropped 3.19, or 0.2 percent, to
1,750.84.

Toyota Motor Corp. and Mizuho Financial Group Inc. led the
declines.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Exporters, Kia, MegaStudy, Posco, SK Energy: South Korea Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following shares may rise or fall
in South Korea. Prices refer to the previous close. This preview
includes news announced after markets shut yesterday. Stock
symbols are in brackets after the company names.

The Kospi index slid 0.79 point to 1,992.26. The Kosdaq lost
0.7 percent to 813.47. Kospi 200 futures expiring in September
gained 0.1 percent to 253.75, while the underlying index added 0.1
percent to 252.61.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Oil-Dependent Stocks, Hankook, Lotte Shopping: South Korea Stock Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following shares may rise or fall
in South Korea. Prices refer to the previous close. This preview
includes news announced after markets shut yesterday. Stock
symbols are in brackets after the company names.

The Kospi index climbed 0.5 percent to a record 1,993.05. The
Kosdaq dropped 0.8 percent to 818.79. Kospi 200 futures expiring
in September added 0.3 percent to 253.40, while the underlying
index gained 0.3 percent to 252.28.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Astec, Force Protection, FoxHollow, Netflix, Tenet: U.S. Equity Movers

(Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies
whose shares are having unusual price changes in U.S. exchanges.
Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names. Share
prices are as of 11:40 a.m. in New York.

Arrow International Inc. (ARRO US) rose $6.46, or 17
percent, to $44.25. Teleflex Inc. (TFX US) said it agreed to
acquire Arrow for $2 billion, adding products for critical and
cardiac care. Under the agreement approved by both companies'
boards, holders of Arrow would get $45.50 a share, 20 percent
more than the stock's closing price July 20, the companies said
in a statement on Business Wire. Teleflex rose $1.64 to $86.94.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Citigroup, Lennar, State Street, Tessera Technologies: U.S. Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies
whose shares may have unusual price changes in U.S. exchanges on
July 23. This preview includes news that broke after exchanges
closed. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names.

Amgen Inc. (AMGN US): The company's anemia drugs will be
restricted at high doses for patients on kidney dialysis
treatment, according to a statement from the U.S. health program
for the elderly and disabled. The policy will provide greater
restrictions on dosages when a patient's level of hemoglobin
exceeds 13 grams per deciliter of blood, the Medicare agency
said. The stock rose 61 cents to $56.18 in regular trading.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Brazil's Real Declines From Seven-Year High as Risk Aversion Increases

(Bloomberg) -- Brazil's currency declined from a
seven-year high as an increase investor aversion to riskier
assets reduced the appeal of emerging market securities.

Stocks in the U.S. slumped and benchmark Treasuries gained
amid speculation rising subprime mortgage defaults will lead to
higher interest rates for private borrowers and curb economic
growth.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

BHP, Kia Motor, Korea Zinc, TMB Bank, Unicom: Asia Ex-Japan Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may rise or fall
in Asian markets, excluding Japan. This preview includes news that
broke after markets closed. Prices are from the local market's last
close. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names.

Ambuja Cements Ltd. (ACEM IN): India's fourth-biggest cement
maker, which is partly owned by Holcim Ltd., may say today profit
in the quarter ended June increased 32 percent to 4.01 billion
rupees ($99.3 million), the median profit estimate of seven
analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. Ambuja Cements was unchanged
at 138.8 rupees.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

UST Option Trading Surges on Speculation Altria Will Buy Tobacco Producer

(Bloomberg) -- Trading in options to buy UST Inc.
shares jumped to the highest since December on speculation the
largest U.S. smokeless tobacco producer may be acquired by Altria
Group Inc., parent of the world's largest cigarette maker.

The number of call-option contracts traded in UST rose to
7,317, or 20 times the average during the prior 20 trading
sessions. UST shares added 97 cents to $53.74 in 2:07 p.m. New
York Stock Exchange composite trading.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News