British American Tobacco Plc (BATS.L) is considering a buyout of the 24.7 percent stake it does not already own in Souza Cruz SA (CRUZ3.SA), Brazil's largest cigarette company, in a deal that could cost about 2.3 billion pounds ($3.53 billion).
Regions
Fed's Yellen flags rate hikes on 'meeting-by-meeting' basis
The Federal Reserve is preparing to consider interest rate hikes "on a meeting-by-meeting basis," Fed Chair Janet Yellen told a congressional committee on Tuesday, a subtle shift of emphasis that helps lay the groundwork for the Fed's first rate hike since 2006.
China February flash HSBC PMI at four-month high but export orders contract
Activity in China's mammoth factory sector edged up to a four-month high in February but export orders shrank at their fastest rate in 20 months, a private survey showed, painting a murky outlook that argues for more policy support.
Asian shares rise after Yellen stresses policy flexibility
Asian stocks rose on Wednesday, taking their cues from Wall Street's gains after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen suggested the Fed would not rush into raising interest rates.
Oil turns lower on expectations of crude oil inventory rise
Crude oil futures fell on Tuesday as expectations that this week's reports will show U.S. crude inventories rose again countered supportive news of Libyan oilfields being shut.
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South Korea's Lotte Group has submitted a proposal to acquire a controlling stake in Italy's World Duty Free SpA (WDF.MI) in a deal estimated at 3 trillion to 4 trillion won ($2.71 billion to$3.61 billion), Korean media reported on Tuesday.
With shrinking prospects at home and the threat of further yen weakness, Japanese companies are rushing to buy overseas and seem willing to pay top dollar, as shown by Japan Post's $5 billion bid for Australia's Toll Holdings (TOL.AX).
Visa Europe has announced a new, more secure way for consumers to pay retailers via smartphones, a move that could set the stage for Apple's Apple Pay and rival payment services to be introduced into Europe in the coming months.
Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM) said on Tuesday there were "serious" risks to gas transit to Europe via Ukraine after Kiev failed to make a pre-payment.
Possible interest rate increases in the months ahead are unlikely to have a major impact on growth in Mexico, central bank governor Agustin Carstens said on Tuesday.
An inflation-busting wage deal for Germany's biggest labor union agreed on Tuesday looks set to boost household spending this year after consumer activity propelled strong growth in Europe's largest economy at the end of 2014.
Brent fell toward $58 a barrel on Tuesday, extending the 2-percent loss in the previous session, as oversupply fears lingered, overshadowing any optimism on the outlook for the global economy.
Asian share markets crept higher on Tuesday as Tokyo scored another 15-year peak, though gains were hostage to what Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen might say later in the day about the likely lift-off date for U.S. rate hikes.
AAR Corp (AIR.N) said it would sell its cargo handling business, Telair Cargo Group, to TransDigm Group Inc (TDG.N) for $725 million in cash to focus on its aviation services business.
