U.S. Stock-Index Futures Rise; Ford, Merrill Lynch Shares Gain in Europe

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures climbed as
investors speculated last week's losses may have been
exaggerated.

Ford Motor Co. advanced in Europe after the London Times
reported that Jacques Nasser, the company's former chief
executive officer, may visit the Land Rover and Jaguar factories
in the U.K. as part of an attempt to buy the brands. Merrill
Lynch & Co. gained after UBS AG recommended buying shares of the
third-largest U.S. securities firm.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

U.K. Natural Gas Falls on Lower Demand Forecast; Pipeline Flips to Export

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. natural gas costs declined as a
drop in demand prompted a switch in the direction of flows on a
pipeline connecting England with mainland Europe.

Gas for delivery intraday slipped 3.4 percent to 28.25
pence a therm, according to prices on Bloomberg from the broker
ICAP Plc. The day-ahead price fell 2.6 percent to 28.5 pence a
therm. That's equivalent to $5.83 a million British thermal
units. A therm is 100,000 Btus.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

German 2008 Power Falls From Seven-Week High as Carbon Emission Costs Drop

(Bloomberg) -- German electricity for next year fell
from a seven-week high as emission-permit prices declined,
potentially reducing the cost of generating electricity at
plants that burn fossil fuels.

Electricity for delivery next year fell after two days of
gains, slipping 25 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 56.65 euros
($78.28) a megawatt-hour at 10:15 a.m. in Berlin, according to
GFI Group Inc. prices on Bloomberg. September prices dropped 1
percent to 34.90 euros.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Credit, growth fears batter stocks, hit dollar

(Reuters) - European shares opened more than 1 percent lower before recovering slightly. Emerging market shares dropped around 1.8 percent and Japanese equities slipped 0.4 percent.




Heightened concerns for economic growth as a result of credit problems also knocked oil prices, which briefly dipped below $74.50, and dragged Shanghai copper futures down 3 percent.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

Samsung to boost chip production after disruption

(Reuters) - Samsung's sprawling Kiheung complex was hit by a power shortage on Friday afternoon that shut down six of its chip production lines, raising the prospect of price increases and boosting shares of rival memory chip makers.




Shares in Samsung, the world's top memory chip maker, fell 1.02 percent, while rival Hynix Semiconductor Inc. , the second biggest, rose 0.67 percent in a falling Seoul share market as the firm is seen benefiting from Samsung's troubles.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

FTSE dips, tracking Wall St. on credit concerns

(Reuters) - Britain's top share index dipped early on Monday on fresh concerns over global credit markets after Bear Stearns said it was weathering the worst storm in financial markets in more than 20 years.

At 0738 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 21.1 points, or 0.34 percent, at 6,203.2, having closed 1.2 percent lower on Friday.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Fortis opens shareholder meeting on ABN buy

(Reuters) - Fortis is seeking approval for its proposed involvement and
for a 13 billion euro rights issue to help finance the deal.
Analysts have said they expect Fortis to win backing for both.




Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News