UPDATE 2-Experian Q1 in line, sees subprime woes easing

(Reuters) - LONDON, July 12 - Credit information firm Experian
said on Thursday first-quarter trading was in line with
its expectations despite headwinds in its key markets and said
it expected the impact of U.S. subprime lending woes to ease.




Spun out of conglomerate GUS last year, Experian has been
hit by a decline in unsecured lending in Britain, with fewer
lenders using its services to target new customers, while U.S.
subprime mortgage troubles have knocked its LowerMyBills unit.


Read more at Reuters.com Market News

MFS's Addeo Sells Junk Bonds, Buys Stocks to Reduce Risks in Mutual Fund

(Bloomberg) -- John Addeo is selling the lowest-
rated bonds from his top-performing MFS High Yield Opportunities
Fund and buying stocks after debt ranked below investment grade
fell for the first time in almost a year.

The $820 million MFS fund fell 1.2 percent in the past
month as losses in bonds backed by subprime mortgages mounted
and companies prepared to pile on $300 billion of debt to
finance leveraged buyouts.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

Wesfarmers Seeks Australian Record $8.6 Billion Loan for Coles Takeover

(Bloomberg) -- Wesfarmers Ltd. is seeking a A$10
billion ($8.6 billion) loan to fund its takeover of Coles Group
Ltd., the largest borrowing by an Australia-based company.

Wesfarmers, the nation's biggest home-improvement chain,
hired Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., BNP Paribas SA
and National Australia Bank Ltd. to arrange the loan, according
to a statement today from the banks. The bid values Coles at
A$19.1 billion based on today's share price.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

China Data Watch-China Q2 economic growth seen easing slightly

(Reuters) - * Growth to slow a touch, but tightening still in view




By Jason Subler and Zhou Xin


Read more at Reuters.com Economic News

China shares rise 0.79 pct, financials lead

(Reuters) - Analysts said investor confidence was recovering after gains late last week, despite state media reports on Thursday warning that the market would be "put to the test" as new IPOs list.




"The IPO listings are only one of many factors that affect the market," said Zhang Yanbing, analyst at Kinghing Securities, adding that many investors had already digested much of this information on Wednesday.


Read more at Reuters.com Hot Stocks News

Merrill Lynch ups bid for Italian fund Berenice

(Reuters) - It said the offer valued the stake at about 437 million
euros.




Berenice, managed by Italian real estate company Pirelli RE
, has assets were worth a little more than 800 million
euros at the end of 2006.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Palm Oil Little Changed in Malaysia Amid Speculation Supplies Set to Gain

(Bloomberg) -- Palm oil futures in Malaysia, the
benchmark for the commodity, were little changed near a five-
week high amid speculation the price may decline in the second
half of the year as supplies of the vegetable oil increase.

There's ``potential for weaker crude palm oil prices,''
analyst Andreas Bokkenheuser of PT UBS Securities Indonesia said
today from Jakarta. ``The majority of total-year production
occurs in the second half.''


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News