CORRECTED - Former Asda chief eyes bid for CDR's Brakes--paper

(Reuters) - Norman was understood to be considering getting together with one or more of the groups, comprising U.S. buyout firms Blackstone Group [BG.UL] and Bain Capital as well as UK-based CVC Capital Partners [CVC.UL] and Cinven [CINV.UL], the newspaper said in an unsourced report.

Comments were not immediately available from Norman, CVC or Cinven.


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Tokyo stocks drop, oil slips in thin trade

(Reuters) - The euro raced to a record high against the yen, boosted by expectations the European Central Bank would raise interest rates in coming months, but trade was thin with most Asian markets and many in Europe shut for national holidays.

Britain's FTSE 100 index was expected to open 13 to 15 points lower, according to financial bookmakers, having closed up 30.5 points, or 0.48 percent, in the previous session.


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Gold Rises in Asian Trading as Dollar Declines Versus Euro; Silver Gains

(Bloomberg) -- Gold rose in Asian trading as the dollar traded near a record low against the euro, boosting the appeal of the precious metal as an alternative investment. Silver also gained.

The dollar fell before the release today of housing figures in the U.S. that may add to signs the world's largest economy is slowing. Gold, which rose to an 11-month high of $694.25 on April 23, has gained 6.5 percent this year, while the euro has risen 3.4 percent against the dollar. Financial markets are closed today in China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

Icahn steps up Motorola campaign: WSJ

(Reuters) - The letter is expected to appear in a full-page ad on Tuesday, the Journal said.

Icahn said in late January he was seeking a board seat at Motorola, which has struggled in recent quarters with weak cell phone sales that caused it to post a first-quarter loss. The Motorola shareholder vote is scheduled for May 7.


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Anglo American, Oasis, Punch, Sainsbury, Tesco: U.K., Irish Equity 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 yesterday's market close.

The benchmark FTSE 100 Index rose 30.5, or 0.5 percent, to close at 6449.2 in London as 83 stocks rose, 18 fell and 1 was unchanged. The FTSE All-Share Index gained 14.17, or 0.42 percent, to 3355.6.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

China Manufacturing Activity Grew Most in Two Years in April, Survey Shows

(Bloomberg) -- Manufacturing activity in China expanded at the fastest pace in more than two years in April, according to a survey of purchasing managers released today.

The Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 58.6 from 56.1 in March, the statistics bureau said in an e-mailed statement. That's the highest since the index started in January 2005.


Read more at Bloomberg Emerging Markets News

TREASURIES-Steady in Asia in holiday-thinned trade

(Reuters) - Investors continued to look for clues on the future path of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy as recent U.S. data has been mixed, with serious weakness in the housing and auto sectors offset by firmness in employment and nonresidential construction.

Activity was likely to be subdued ahead of key U.S. jobs data due on Friday, traders said.


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