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Pre-market: Bias still negative
The markets are likely to open on a flat note this morning on the back of mixed global cues. The indices yesterday attempted a pullback but eventually ended with marginal gains as selling pressure persisted on every rise.

News of the day

LIC Housing Finance net up 14%
LIC Housing Finance (LICHF) reported a 14 per cent rise in net profit to Rs 153.58 crore for the quarter ended December 2009 compared with Rs 134.33 crore in the year-ago quarter.

Management

Omaxe, Great Eastern Shipping & Nalco Q1 result

Omaxe net dips 73.6% Real estate player Omaxe on Friday reported 73.6 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit for the quarter ended June 30 at Rs 14.96 crore as against Rs 56.67 crore in the year-ago period. The consolidated net profit during the first quarter also dipped 66.06 per cent to Rs 118.91 crore from Rs 350.33 crore in the same period last year, the company said in a statement.

Markets end flat

The Sensex has ended (provisional) at 17,458, down 28 points.

Udyog Software in talks with SEZ developers in Gujarat

Mumbai-based Udyog Software, is in talks with Special Economic Zone (SEZ) developers in Gujarat for its tax software solutions. Udyog Software, which provides technology solutions to number of businesses in areas of Payroll Solutions, Tax Compliance Solutions, Integrated Solutions and ERP implementations, now plans to tap both SEZ developers as well as the upcoming units in it.

Another India: The death of a critic

- satanic-verses-ban/02/12/369407/" class="textMost" title="Should we lift the Satanic Verses ban?">Should we lift the Satanic Verses ban? - the-godfather/02/12/367308/" class="textMost" title="All about the family: 40 years of The Godfather">All about the family: 40 years of The Godfather - Don't sue the science guys - The return of the short story - In search of an Asian prize - Nilanjana S Roy: Five lessons from the Teacher Man">Nilanjana S Roy: Five lessons from the Teacher Man

Infosys\' training centre among world\'s largest

Infosys Technologies on Tuesday expanded the company’s Global Education Centre (GEC) at its Mysore campus, with the inauguration of a second training facility. With the GEC expansion, the company can provide training to 23,500 people at a time, making it one of the largest corporate education centres in the world.

Narayana Murthy mulls investment in green VC fund

N R Narayana Murthy, co-founder and chief mentor of India"s second-largest IT services provider Infosys Technologies, is planning to invest in US-based clean technology venture capital (VC) fund Siderian Ventures.

India Eco Summit: More private investment in farming needed

A government that limits its role to regulation would be a great enabler for agricultural growth.

ED\'s red alert against two Koda aides

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sounded a red alert against two key aides of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, in the alleged Rs 2,000 crore havala and illegal investment cases.

L&T bags Rs 6,897-cr order from Mahagenco

Engineering and construction company Larsen & Toubro today said it has bagged an order worth Rs 6,897 crore from Maharashtra State Power Generation (Mahagenco) for manufacturing turbine generator units.

L&T Q2 profit rises 26% at Rs 580 cr

Engineering company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) today reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 580.40 crore for the second quarter ended September, whereas the same was at Rs 460.26 crore during the corresponding period a year earlier.

Koda aides fail to show up as I-T deadline ends

The deadline set by the Income Tax (I-T) Department to record the statements of at least six associates of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today expired without them appearing.

Maruti hikes car prices marginally

Burdened with rising commodity prices, especially of steel and copper, the country’s largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki India, has announced a marginal increase of up to 2 per cent in prices.

Markets extend gains

The Sensex has extended gains and touched a high of 17,554 - up 90 points. The Nifty is up 30 points at 5,231.

Hyundai Motor December sales up 22%

Hyundai Motor India Ltd, the country’s second largest car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter ended the year on a high note with domestic sales growing by 42.6 per cent while exports grew by 9 per cent, said a company press release. Cumulative growth stood at 22.6 per cent for the month ending December, 2009.

Ashok Leyland Q4 net down 70% at Rs 53 cr

Commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland today reported a 70.47 per cent decline in its net profit at Rs 53.32 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared with Rs 180.57 crore in the same period a year ago.

Gulf Oil & ENIL's Q1 result

Gulf Oil Q1 FY10 PAT at Rs 21 cr

Maharashtra MLAs leaves leadership decision to Sonia

After storming back to power, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Maharashtra on Saturday authorised party chief Sonia Gandhi to choose its new leader who will be the chief minister, senior party leader A K Antony said.

Use the company car, decline its leased flat, advise experts

New tax rules on perks need some smart changes in what you claim.

Bharat Biotech gets patent for Lysostaphin

Hyderabad-based vaccines and biotherapeutics manufacturer Bharat Biotech International announced on Wednesday that its anti-staphylococcal molecule Lysostaphin had secured patent rights in US, Europe, China, Australia and other nations.

Now Chandrayaan-II will have Indian rover

ISRO initially planned to have Russian lander, rover for project.

Swine flu will expose global health inequality: WHO

The global swine flu pandemic will expose the failure of the international community to invest in health protection in poor countries, the world"s top health official warned here today.

Japan has flu treatment drugs for 50 million people: govt

Japan has stockpiled enough Tamiflu and Relenza drugs to treat 50 million influenza-infected patients, the health ministry has said.

Loans against rent receivables is commercial realty exposure: RBI

Reserve Bank of India today said bank loans whose repayment is done from future rental generated from properties like shopping malls and office premises will be treated as commercial real estate exposure (CRE).

Two more die of swine flu

Two persons died of swine flu today taking the total deaths to four in Andhra Pradesh.

If HC judges want to become heroes it is their wish: Moily

Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily today virtually backed Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan on the issue of assets declaration by judges and said if judges were voluntarily disclosing their assets and "wanting to become heroes, it is their wish."

T N Ninan: The real gas issues

T N Ninan / New Delhi August 29, 2009, 0:12 IST

Cox & Kings\' Aussie arm acquires 2 firms

Cox & Kings (Australia), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Cox and Kings (India), a travel and tour company, has bought MyPlanet Australia and Bentours International through a share sale agreement from First Choice Holdings Australia. The acquisition is being done through an ‘earn-out mechanism’ and is not being paid for from funds raised for acquisition from the company’s recent initial public offering (IPO).

Daiichi FY\'09 loss at $3.45 bn on fall in Ranbaxy scrips

Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo today reported a loss of $3.45 billion during the financial year 2008-09, and said it was on account of a steep fall in share prices of Ranbaxy, which it acquired last year.

HC allows TVS to use Bajaj\'s patented tech

The Madras High Court on Monday set aside its earlier order restraining country’s third largest two-wheeler manufacturer TVS Motors from manufacturing and marketing vehicles with twin spark technology.

Indian tourists ride the slowdown

One million more go globe trotting in 2008-09.

SC refuses to stay HC order on language

The Supreme Court today refused to stay the Karnataka High Court’s judgement quashing a state government order making Kannada the compulsory medium of instruction in all schools of the state from class I to IV.

Jet back in black with Rs 106 cr profit in Q3

Private airline Jet Airways today posted a profit of Rs 105.80 crore for the third quarter ending December 31, 2009, the company said in statement here.

Sunil Sethi: Virtue, vice and VIPs

Sunil Sethi / New Delhi July 25, 2009, 0:26 IST

STPI-Berhampur fails to attract IT majors

The third Software Technology Park of India (STPI), being set up in Orissa at Ambapua on the outskirts of Berhampur, has failed to attract major IT companies even though the construction work on the STPI centre is nearing completion.

\'Accord appears to be complete betrayal of poor, weaker nations\'

Business Standard / December 27, 2009, 0:21 IST

Keep trying

Copenhagen: The world’s best spin-doctors couldn’t put much of a glow on the Copenhagen summit. Representatives of 120 countries gathered in the Danish capital with solemn pledges to draft an international treaty to fight man made climate change, but all that emerged was a vague text with a few good intentions and no firm commitments. It"s not much comfort to think that no treaty might be better than a hastily composed bad one.

Novartis starts testing its swine flu vaccine

Swiss drugmaker Novartis has begun injecting its swine flu vaccine into people in the company"s first human tests, a spokesman said today.

Goldman Q2 profit surges 65% to $3.44 bn

Investment banking major Goldman Sachs today reported huge profit of $3.44 billion for the second quarter ended June, bolstered by stellar performance in trading operations.

Goldman Sachs loses grip on its doomsday machine

Never let it be said that the Justice Department can’t move quickly when it gets a hot tip about an alleged crime at a Wall Street bank. It does help, though, if the party doing the complaining is the bank itself, and not merely an aggrieved customer.

Suzlon receives 21 Mw order from Gujarat Alkalies

Suzlon Energy bagged a repeat order from Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals (GACL) to set up, operate and maintain a 21 megawatt (Mw) wind energy project in Maliya Miyana in the Rajkot district, Gujarat. The project will comprise of 14 units of Suzlon"s S82-1.5 Mw wind turbines.

Newsmaker: Ankit Miglani

Ishita Ayan Dutt / Kolkata September 11, 2009, 0:52 IST

Tata Sons\' $1-bn infra fund to close by Dec

Tata Realty and Infrastructure, which hopes to develop projects worth Rs 20,000 crore over the next three years, today said that the $1 billion infrastructure fund, sponsored by its parent company Tata Sons, is expected to close by 2009-end.

India, China show how to compete globally: IFC

India’s policies for the software sector and China’s promotion of special economic zones (SEZs) for the manufacturing sector suggest that well-designed and sector-specific government policies can overcome weaknesses in investment climate and allow developing countries to compete globally in new fields, according to a study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private lending arm of the World Bank.

Satyam allots 75,090 equity shares under stock options

Satyam Computer today said it has allotted 75,090 equity shares to its employees, under its stock options plans.

In talks with Nepal govt to break IOC supply monopoly

Essar Oil has approached the Nepal government for supplying petroleum products. If the proposal is accepted, it will break the monopoly of Indian Oil Corporation, which retails petroleum products in the land-locked country along with the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). Nepal is not a very big market and is estimated have an annual demand of 720,000 tonnes of diesel and 1,40,000 tonnes of petrol. Essar currently supplies only small quantities of fuel oil to Nepal.

Dubai: From Big-is-Best to Big-is-Bust

Lakshman Menon / December 02, 2009, 0:13 IST

Table for one

In the same way that you should get massages and take naps or meditate, you should, everyone should, make a point to eat out by yourself from time to time,” wrote Amanda Hesser in her wonderful Cooking for Mr Latte. “You should be kind enough to yourself to lavish your appetite with good food without the interruptions of company.”

Sunil Jain: Media\'s decade

Sunil Jain / New Delhi January 04, 2010, 0:20 IST

\'We are still a party with a difference\'

Sanjay Jog / Mumbai January 03, 2010, 0:44 IST

Yes Bank plans to raise $150-200 mn via QIP

Yes Bank plans to raise $150-200 million through private placement of shares this fiscal, a senior bank official said.

Markets at day\'s high

The Sensex has gained 53 points to the day"s high of 16,412. The Nifty is up 32 points at 4,914.

Mamata, CPM heat on land, railways in LS

The row between the CPI(M) and its arch rival, the Trinamool Congress (TC), over land refuses to die. After the land acquisition issue played a crucial role in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, it became a hot topic again today, as the CPI(M) and the TC locked horns during the Railway Budget discussion in the Lok Sabha.

After IT, BPO, medical tourism emerge as fastest growing sec

Despite the global economic downturn, medical tourism has emerged as the fastest growing sector of the Indian tourism industry as it provides first world treatment to patients at an affordable rates.

Bajaj: Motoring ahead

Buoyed by the demand for its Discover range of motorcycles, the country’s second largest two-wheeler maker, Bajaj Auto, posted healthy numbers for the second quarter in a row. The company, which had been struggling with weak demand, lack of auto financing and sluggish exports in 2008-09 was able to make a hit out of its Discover 100cc bike boosting revenues and market share in the current year.

GMR Infra plans Rs 2,500 crore Vemagiri Power expansion

Vemagiri Power Generation Limited (VPGL), a subsidiary of Bangalore-based GMR Energy Limited, is planning to put up an additional capacity of 750 Mw in Vemagiri, adjacent to its existing natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant of 388.5 Mw.

Areva to hive off T&D biz, to sell Indian arm

French power equipment maker Areva is all set to dispose of its transmission and distribution business, including its Indian arm Areva T&D.

Three companies make it to final round for N-E UMTP

Three private sector power companies — Reliance Infrastructure’s subsidiary Reliance Power Transmission Limited (RPTL), Sterlite Energy and Lanco Infratech — will compete with each other in the final round of bidding for the first ultra mega transmission project (UMTP) in the country for the North-Eastern region.

\'Pvt investment in Bihar not possible without tax sops\'

Kailash Nautiyal / January 2, 2010, 0:45 IST

Tata Motor begins distribution of Prima World Trucks

Tata Motors has started distribution of its Prima range of World Trucks, unveiled in May. The first product, the Prima 4028 S, is a 40-tonne 266-PS (Cummins ISBE engine) tractor with a 9-speed ZF transmission, a matching trailer with new generation brakes, ABS and specialised axles for heavy-duty and high-speed application. The tractor’s air-conditioned cabin includes reclining seats, adjustable steering wheels and arm rests for driver comfort. It has got sleepers to facilitate long-distance travel.

Sensex near day\'s high

The Sensex is now at 16,962, up 85 points. The Nifty is at 5055- up 22 points.

Nissan to price sedan at the premium end

Japanese auto maker Nissan Motor Company, which plans to launch a compact car in India after six months, today showcased a sedan. The car is to be built on the same platform as the compact car, but will not serve the low-cost concept.

Unhealthy India

Joe C Mathew draws up a ready-reckoner on the malaise that ails the healthcare system

Hi-Figo!

In my garage

Ajit Ranade: The Coming Capital Famine

Ajit Ranade / January 26, 2010, 0:35 IST

\'Efforts on to limit bad assets\'

Business Standard / January 26, 2010, 0:11 IST

SBI net declines 8.4 per cent

For the first time in four-and-a-half years, State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest lender, on Monday reported a decline in its consolidated net profit.

SBI Q3 net down 8.4% to Rs 3,305 cr

The country"s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), reported a 8.40 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit at Rs 3,304.59 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2009.

Reliance outlets in AP attacked after report on YSR death

A number of Reliance Retail outlets in Andhra Pradesh today came under simultaneous mob attack after a news report on some Telugu channels alleged the role of the Ambani brothers in the sudden death of former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in a chopper crash last year.

Low rates help banks post robust growth

Low interest rates helped banks report healthy growth in the third quarter of the current financial year.

Delphi launches CNG kit for Indian automobile market

Delphi, a leading global supplier of electronics to the automobile sector, today said it has introduced CNG kits for vehicles that have been sold to consumers.

IDBI Bank moves ahead on bank buy

IDBI Bank had completed due diligence on a private bank for a possible acquisition, Chairman and Managing Director Yogesh Agarwal said today. “Talks are on. Due diligence has been done. I cannot commit on the time-frame,” he said on the sidelines of Bancon 2009-10.

Chiranjeevi meets Chidambaram on Telangana issue

Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, whose party Praja Rajyam is opposed to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, today met Home Minister P Chidambaram and apprised him of the "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state.

AP Cong ministers decide to withdraw resignation

All the 13 Congress ministers from Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh today decided to withdraw their resignation after the Centre"s announcement on holding discussions with political parties the state.

NTPC asks govt to abolish import duty on coal

The country"s largest power producer NTPC has asked the government for abolition of import duty on coal, which currently stands at 8 per cent.

Policy review: Banks with funds to emerge winners

India is clearly showing strong growth, as outlined by the RBI which stated that the output gap is narrowing with economy operating close to potential and raised its baseline projection for GDP growth in FY10 to 7.5 per cent from 6 per cent forecast in October 2009 in the monetary policy announced today.

CRR hike slightly aggressive, int rates not seen rising now

Economists were "slightly surprised" by the extent of hike (75 basis points) in mandatory cash reserves of banks held by the Reserve Bank, but felt that the apex bank"s move was strongly influenced by rising inflationary pressures.

Telcos clash yet again over spectrum fee

After a brief lull, mobile operators have begun clashing over the fee paid for spectrum (air-waves), with Vodafone claiming Tata Teleservices and RCom were underpaying the government — a charge denied by the two companies.

Syndicate Bank net dips 42.6% to Rs 205.72 cr

Higher provisioning and lower net interest income have resulted in a 42.59 per cent drop in net profit of Syndicate Bank for the quarter ended December 2009.

RNRL Q3 net up 3% to Rs 25 cr

Anil Ambani Group firm Reliance Natural Resources (RNRL) today reported growth of 3.30 per cent in net profit at Rs 25 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2009, over the same period last year.

Hiring may pick up in London\'s finance industry in 2010

Majority of HR managers in financial institutions across London expect hiring in the city to rise significantly in 2010, a survey by global professional recruiter Morgan McKinley says.

Harley Davidson announces top management for India

Harley Davidson Motor Company India (HDMCI), the wholly owned subsidiary of Harley Davidson Motor Company, the US-based motorcycle producing company, today announced the appointment of its national leadership team.

Yahoo! logins into black; posts $153 mn Q4 profit

Internet giant Yahoo! has posted a profit of $153 million (Rs 693 crore) in the quarter ended December 2009 on the back of improving advertising market.

PM rejects UN deadline for submitting emission targets

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has rejected the UN deadline of January 31 for submission of emission targets and climate actions under the Copenhagen Accord.

Funds for climate change missions in Union Budget: Saran

India"s eight ambitious missions to address climate change may get funds in the Union Budget that will be presented in Parliament next month.

Efforts on to complete N-deal before PM\'s US visit

Top US and Indian officials are making hectic efforts to conclude the discussions on critical reprocessing deal on spent nuclear fuel before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh"s high-profile state visit here next week.

\'We did not fail, the dam did\'

The country’s development planning is anti-people and will lead to national turmoil, activist Medha Patkar tells Sreelatha Menon

\'Leaders are just following the people\'

Aditi Phadnis / New Delhi January 10, 2010, 0:52 IST

STAR India buys exclusive rights for Paa, Wanted

In order to give a boost to its almost stagnant ratings, STAR Plus, the number two Hindi entertainment channel, is betting big on Bollywood films. Within past few weeks, STAR India has picked up exclusive satellite rights for blockbusters, including Paa, Wanted, De Dana Dan, Aladin and Drona for Rs 50 crore, the highest among the leading broadcasters this year for exclusive content.

Bollywood says \'no shooting\' in Australia

The ongoing attacks on Indian students studying in Australia have received a strong reaction from the Indian film fraternity.

LG sets up brand shop

LG Electronics, the global manufacturer and marketer of consumer electronics and home appliances, today opened one brand showroom ‘LG Shoppe’ at Samantarapur in Bhubaneswar. Arvind Kumar, the branch head of Orissa, inaugurated the premium brand showroom.

Sub-Rs-7,000 fridges the new battleground

Hungry for growth, companies such as Godrej Appliances and LG Electronics are set to debut in the sub-Rs-7,000 refrigerator range.

Ohio woos TCS as US states press India for jobs

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland is quick to admit that he doesn’t “particularly enjoy heights”. So why would he climb into a cherry picker to be lifted 40 feet in the air?

\'Linkedin is about career advancement and management which is not Facebook\'s motto\'

Shivani Shinde / Mumbai September 24, 2009, 0:36 IST

Maruti posts 48% growth

Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the passenger car leader in the domestic market has posted 48 per cent growth in its sales in Orissa during the April-August period of 2009-10 compared to the same period of the previous fiscal.

Suzuki to invest Rs 1,500 cr for global R&D hub in India

Japanese auto giant Suzuki today announced an investment of up to Rs 1,500 crore in the next 6-7 years for setting up a research and development (R&D) centre in India, which will be the company"s global small car R&D hub.

IT majors make 408 offers at Osmania

IT majors — Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro Technologies and Cognizant Technology Solutions — have made 408 job offers to the students of Osmania University College of Engineering (OUCE) during the "premium company recruitment drive" that ended on December 31.

BSNL launches new service delivery platform for 3G customers

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) today launched its new service delivery platform "BSNL Live" - a web portal that would offer videos on demand and movie streaming for its 3G customers for the first time in the country.

Gold Q3 demand dip by 49%: WGC

Demand for gold waned by 49 per cent in the third quarter this year over the corresponding period last year, thanks to a surge in its prices, the World Gold Council (WGC) said today.

Plan panel assured of 15% more budgetary support

The Ministry of Finance has assured the Planning Commission of at least 15 per cent increase in gross budgetary support (GBS) for 2010-11, over the 2009-10 budget estimates.

Fertilising change

Business Standard / New Delhi December 18, 2009, 0:21 IST

NIIT Tech net down 12.4%

Delhi-based NIIT Technologies today posted a 12.4 per cent fall in its profit after tax (PAT) for the second quarter ended September 30, owing to a foreign exchange loss of $153 million (around Rs 700 crore). PAT stood at Rs 32.1 crore compared to Rs 36.7 crore in the year ago period. Consolidated revenues, at Rs 226.3 crore, were down 12 .5 per cent year-on-year from Rs 258.7 crore.

\'Focus on few stocks\'

Vishal Chhabria / Mumbai December 28, 2009, 0:01 IST

The wrong track

When reporters asked former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad for a reaction on why his successor Mamata Banerjee was trying to mock his work by bringing out her White Paper, he asked, “Do you know any tantric? I need to consult one.” As the reporters wondered why the RJD chief needed a tantric, Prasad added, “I think there is something wrong with the time of my birth. Earlier, I faced this fodder scam and now people are after me for unnecessary reasons.

Maha realty to cost more with new ready reckoner

Builders feel move may hinder development.

Life insurers\' premium collection rises 21% in first seven months

The life insurance industry logged a 21 per cent increase in premium collections during the first seven months of the current financial year compared to the same period last year, indicating recovery in the sector.

Incipient signs of recovery

Business Sandard / New Delhi October 29, 2009, 0:50 IST

Dec exports surge 9% to $14.6 bn on key sector growth

The country"s exports in December have grown to $14.6 billion, up 9.4 per cent over November, on the back of a strong growth in pharma, engineering and auto components sectors, Commerce and Industry minister, Anand Sharma said today.

India Inc raises $2.6 bn in Oct

Indian companies have raised about $ 2.6 billion from the international market through external commercial borrowings and foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) in October to fund overseas acquisitions and import capital goods and modernisation and lending.

Details of bank staff pay hike in 90 days

The core committee constituted by the Indian Banks Association (IBA) to calculate the modalities involved in the proposed nationwide pay revision is likely to give its report within 90 days.

Soren to move confidence motion on January 7

JMM chief Shibu Soren was today sworn in as chief minister of Jharkhand for the third time at a ceremony which was skipped by top leaders of coalition partner BJP, and will take a floor test in the Assembly on January 7.

\'Edu, healthcare, FMCG to grow at healthy rates in 2010\'

Education, healthcare and FMCG sectors will grow at healthy rates in 2010, while capital goods, banking and real estate will continue to struggle next year, industry body Assocham has said.

Sugar stocks sweeten on hopes of robust growth

Balrampur Chini ended flat at Rs 133, Around 410,679 shares were traded as compared to the two-week daily average traded volumes of 1.04 million shares.

RFL eyes Rs 5,000 cr consumer lending

Religare Finvest (RFL), the non-banking finance arm of Religare Enterprises, could infuse an additional equity of Rs 650 crore in order to meet a lending target of around Rs 5,000 crore by March 2011 under its consumer business segment.

SCI gains on plans of new buy

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has gained in early trades on plans of purchasing new container ships.

Actis raises $750 mn for investment in emerging markets

Global private equity firm Actis today said it has raised $750 million for investment in infrastructure across emerging markets, including India.

Future Group expands menu; to set up hotels in next 6 mths

Kishore Biyani-led Future Group is planning entry into hotel business and may set up the first one in the next six months.

Future Value Retail to start functioning from Jan 1

Kishore Biyani-led Pantaloon Retail India Ltd (PRIL) will hive-off its value segments--Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar-- into a separate company called Future Value Retail from January 1.

Opel confirms slashing 9,500 jobs to fix European plants

The US auto maker General Motors has confirmed it will retain all four plants of its European subsidiary Opel in Germany but will cut 9,500 jobs in Europe as part of restructuring to make the company profitable again.

\'Challenges are more external than domestic\'

The year 2010 will start on a promising note as we have held on to the gains of 2009, even if it means consolidating for the first few months of the year, says Sundaresan Naganath, chief investment officer at DSP Blackrock mutual fund. After having worked with Credit Suisse Asset Management New York and Merrill Lynch Asset Management Hong Kong, Naganath oversees some of the best performing funds such as DSP Blackrock Equity and DSP Blackrock Top 100. In an interview with Vandana and Neha Pandey, he says challenges that markets face are more external than domestic. Excerpts:

Opto Circuits\' US arm in supply pact with European firm

Bangalore-based medical diagnostics products maker, Opto Circuits (India) Ltd (OCI) has announced that its wholly-owned US-based

Dr Reddy\'s Lab rises 2.3%

The stock jumped 2.3 per cent to Rs 1,204.55 after the company said Phase-III clinical trial for its anti-diabetic molecule balaglitazone achieved the set parameters.

Metro to moon amidst bust and boom

The country emerges as a bigger player on the global scene

New Year gifts set to get chic, again

Indian corporate gifting companies are set to laugh all the way to the bank this New Year. For, after a temperamental period in 2008 and 2009 on account of the recession, corporate biggies have finally started loosening their purse strings and placing orders for high-end gadgets like iPods, digital photoframes and dual-SIM handsets to dole out to their employees as well as clients.

Sensex gains most in 11 weeks, up 4.27%

Stock markets were propelled by robust industrial growth data, the government’s reform initiatives and strong global markets. The Sensex ended the week higher by 690.55 points, or 4.27 per cent, at 16,848.83, while the Nifty closed at 4,998.95, up 202.80 points, or 4.23 per cent.

FIIs net sell Rs 549cr, DIIs net buy Rs 142cr

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers of Rs 548.77 crore (provisional) today, according to data released by BSE.

Japanese PM to meet Tata, Ambani

Hatoyama is the first Japanese PM to visit Mumbai in 25 years.

RIL\'s Haryana SEZ, 10 others asked to seek fresh licence

The Centre has refused to extend the in-principle approvals to as many as 11 SEZ projects, including the Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Haryana SEZ, Posco India and Indiabulls Infrastructure, stating that the rules do not allow giving them more time for implementation.

UN Climate meet showed the old North-South divide outdated

And, India chose to break ranks consistently to be with its new friends.

DoT gives Bharti a week to comply with audit queries

As part of its special audit on selected companies, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has told Bharti Airtel to provide all required information to the auditor by December 14.

Dr Reddy\'s plans to launch Lipitor\'s generic version in US

Drug maker Dr Reddy’s Laboratories plans to launch generic version of the world’s largest selling anti-cholesterol medicine ‘Lipitor’ in the US market in the next 2-3 years.

Sun Pharma settles patent dispute with Astra Zeneca

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has settled a patent dispute with MedImmune, a unit of drug major Astra Zeneca, to dismiss an ongoing litigation in a US District Court. This was on patent rights of Ethyol (amifostine), a drug used to reduce toxicities associated with chemotherapy and radiation in head and neck cancers.

Sun Pharma, Forest settle US suit on Lexapro

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and its subsidiary, Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, have reached a settlement agreement with drugmaker Forest Laboratories and licensing partner H Lundbeck AS, over a pending patent infringement dispute over Forest’s blockbuster antidepressant, Lexapro.

Rolls Royce rolls out Ghost

Will be available from next year for Rs 2.5 cr.

Investors gain Rs 25 lakh-cr in just five months

Investor wealth has increased by over Rs 25 lakh crore in just over five months from the beginning of the current financial year, on improving sentiments in the domestic and global markets.

Three solar companies to set up units in Andhra

The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has issued offer letters, so far, to an Indian and two American companies for setting up solar power plants at Kadiri in Anantapur district where it has earmarked an area of 5,000 acres for allotment to solar power projects.

Bharti, MTN officials meet DoT secy to explain deal

Country"s biggest GSM mobile company Bharti Airtel and South African MTN today apprised the Telecom Ministry of their proposed $23-billion deal that could create one of the top three wireless companies in the world.

Extended trade from today, brokers buck up

Paresh Gandhi, director at brokerage firm BM Gandhi Securities, is not sure if he will be able to spend an hour at the gym. With trading in the stock markets starting at 9 am from today, Gandhi would have to start an hour early for work.

After IAF, Indian Posts shows interest for NAL Saras

Wants to use the aircraft for light cargo purpose in North East region

IOB net dips 51% to Rs 176 cr

Indian Overseas Bank today reported 51 per cent decline in its net profit at Rs 176.04 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, 2009.