Tax planners are developing ways to help well-to-do U.S. clients avoid the full impact of taxes set to take effect next year.

Rabobank's asset management arm, Robeco, is expected to fetch more than 2 billion euros. Rabobank's asset management arm, Robeco, is expected to fetch more than 2 billion euros ($2.

The U.S. government is gearing up for a politically charged fight over Solyndra's bankruptcy plan.

It's uncertain whether New York state attorney general Eric Schneiderman's investigation of the private equity industry's tax practices will result in big financial settlements.

Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC and Northstar Pacific Partners have bought a minority stake in PT Triputra Agro Persada.

A joint Russian-Chinese fund will invest over $200 million in a Russian forestry company. A joint Russian-Chinese fund will invest over $200 million in a Russian forestry company under a preliminary deal announced on Friday on the fringes of a summit held to promote economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Private equity firm Carlyle Group said its $1.4 billion infrastructure fund agreed to buy U.S. power plant developer Cogentrix Energy LLC from Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Trulia Inc said it expects to raise up to $100 million in its initial public offering. Trulia Inc said it expects to raise up to $100 million in its initial public offering, as the real estate website seeks to take advantage of a recovery in the U.

U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital LLC has matched a $700 million takeover offer for Australia's Billabong International Ltd (BBG.AX) from TPG Capital .

Safeway Inc (SWY.N) said on Wednesday it plans to take its Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc gift card and payment services unit public in the first half of next year.

Jordan-based private equity firm Foursan Group has acquired a 6.6 percent stake in Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank.

Private equity firm Bain Capital LLC is the unnamed second bidder for Australian surfwear company Billabong International.

The Obama administration has been ratcheting up its participation in the private equity market. The Obama administration has been ratcheting up its participation in the private equity market - even as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney comes under criticism for his private equity record at Bain Capital.

Bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals. The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 2000 GMT on Wednesday:** British soft drinks group Britvic said it was in talks with Irn-Bru maker AG Barr about a 1.

Desire2Learn Inc said on Tuesday that it secured $80 million in venture funding. Desire2Learn Inc, a Canadian technology company that develops online learning systems, said on Tuesday that it secured $80 million in venture funding to help strengthen its infrastructure and boost its prospects for growth.

European credit manager ECM is seeking to raise up to 500 million euros for a fund to invest in the loans and bonds of highly-leveraged companies.

Private equity fund Mid Europa Partners (MEP) plans to sell healthcare group Lux Med by the end of the year to cash in.

A consortium led by a Morgan Stanley (MS.N) infrastructure fund has made a second $150 million investment in unlisted Chinese hydropower company Zhaoheng Hydropower Holdings Ltd.

Brazilian asset management firm Pátria Investimentos took over three equity funds from a smaller rival on Wednesday.

Spanish telecoms firm Telefonica said it would invest 68 million euros ($86 million) in venture capital funds.

Bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals. The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 1000 GMT on Wednesday:** The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc on Tuesday said it would sell its retirement plans business to life insurer MassMutual for $400 million cash, part of The Hartford's plan to shed assets and focus on its property insurance business.

Onex Corp will acquire SGS International Inc for $813 million. Onex Corp will acquire SGS International Inc, which provides packaging graphics services, for $813 million, the private equity firm said on Tuesday.

MegaFon has asked its local regulator for permission to list its shares in London. MegaFon, Russia's second-largest mobile phone operator, has asked its local regulator for permission to list its shares in London for what would be the world's biggest initial public offering since Facebook's (FB.

The Blackstone Group LP has invested 2.43 billion rupees ($43.69 million) to buy a significant minority stake in unlisted Indian fragrance maker SH Kelkar & Company.

Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners faces a possible A$1.8 billion ($1.84 billion) loss on its investment in Australia's Nine television network.

U.S. tax authorities took no formal action after launching a probe five years ago of tax strategies used by private equity managers.

Universal Music Group will win EU approval for its $1.9 billion purchase of EMI. Universal Music Group will win EU approval for its $1. 9 billion purchase of EMI with its offer to sell global rights to some of EMI's most valuable record labels and catalogues, two people familiar with the deal said on Monday.

Australia's heavily indebted Nine television network sold its ACP Magazines division for around A$500 million.

Private equity firm Waterland has attracted a number of potential buyers for Dutch trust and corporate management business Intertrust Group.

China Investment Corp (CIC) has sold most of its stake in BlackRock Inc. China Investment Corp (CIC) has sold most of its stake in BlackRock Inc (BLK.