Japan Shares Drop on U.S. Economy Concern, Strong Yen; Toyota Profit Gains

(Bloomberg) -- Japanese stocks declined, paced by
exporters, on fear losses in the U.S. mortgage market may slow
the world's biggest economy and after the yen strengthened to a
four-month high against the dollar.

Banks including Mizuho Financial Group Inc. and brokerages
such as Nomura Holdings Inc. fell on worry the subprime problem
will erode their profits.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

UPDATE 1-SunTrust quarterly profit rises on one-time gain

(Reuters) - NEW YORK, July 19 - SunTrust Banks Inc. , the seventh-largest U.S. bank, posted better-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday, helped by cost cutting and a gain from selling a portion of its Coca-Cola Co. stock holdings.



Second-quarter net income for the Atlanta-based company was $673.9 million, or $1.89 a share, up from $544 million, or $1.49 per share, a year earlier.


Read more at Reuters.com Market News

Banks eye Alitalia stakes in Air One deal-source

(Reuters) - LONDON, July 11 - Banks including Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena , Morgan Stanley and Nomura could take stakes in Italian carrier Alitalia by joining rival Air One's bidding vehicle for the airline, a source familiar with the matter said Wednesday.



While they are already lending to the consortium, they are also in talks to play a more active part in any successful deal by AP Holding, said the source.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News