GE Oil & Gas CEO Lorenzo Simonelli's visit to Iran has started speculations regarding the American company seeking opportunities in the rapidly improving Iranian oil and gas sector. Simonelli is among the first few Americans to step into this country after its international sanctions over nuclear programs were finally lifted. Iran is now focused on sweetening the oil development contracts to attract foreign investors.

Freeport-McMoRan has signed a definitive deal with Sumitomo in order to sell its 13% interest in Morenci for $1 billion cash. The company intends to utilize the transaction proceeds to repay its bank loans.

Brazilian steelmaker Usiminas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA, a Brazilian steel producer, is in the process of offloading its manufacturing unit. Usiminas has already hired Credit Suisse SA as its financial advisor for the unit sale. The sluggish global economy and China's economy slowdown are impacting the Brazilian steel industry in more negative way.

David Tepper, the pioneer in distressed debt, buys millions of shares in Energy Transfer Partners and Kinder Morgan in the face of plaguing oil slump and toxic energy market. He has tapped these pipeline companies after strengthening his US equity holdings by 56% last quarter.

The market volatility, rising dollar and sluggish global economy are forcing foreign investors towards the US small business credit market for growth opportunities. Foreign investors generally prefer to invest in US treasury bonds. But the prevailing global conditions are propelling them to park their funds in small business credit market.

UK-based Vodafone and US cable group firm Liberty Global are combining their operations in Netherlands market to float a joint venture. The combined JV is expected to be operational by end of 2016. Vodafone has agreed to pay €1 billion (£770 million) after excluding Ziggo's net debt of €7.3 billion.

Data analysis company Palantir Technologies Inc acquired Kimono Labs to increase its data collection capacity. Following the acquisition, Kimono Labs will shut its service on February 29, 2016.

PROFEPA has fined Volkswagen México with $8.9 million for lacking two NOM environment compliance certificates. The 45,494 imported vehicles under penalty include Volkswagen's 2016 model vehicles. However, the fine is separate from the ongoing probe on defeat device installation on diesel powered vehicles.

A former Managing Director of CVC Capital Partners (US) Inc has moved court against the private equity (PE) firm over gender-discrimination. Lisa Lee, who complained against the company, has alleged that the firm was favoring male employees in more of unfair way.She criticized the company's measures in promoting less qualified male co-workers over her.

R-Square Macro Management is increasing its exposure to Russian currency Ruble. It's hoping on rebound in Ruble as it fell 37 percent from the recent high in 2015. Some asset managers scaled back their wagers on Ruble amid high volatility in the Russian currency.