Babcock & Brown to buy Coinmach

(Reuters) - The transaction, which has been recommended by Coinmach's board, is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2007. Coinmach's shareholders are yet to vote on the deal.




Coinmach's core business involves leasing laundry rooms from building owners, property management companies, universities and other multi-family housing properties, installing and servicing laundry equipment and collecting revenues from the laundry machines.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Oil sector, moderate inflation boost US stock indexes

(Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Thursday as a 2 percent gain in oil prices boosted shares of Exxon Mobil Corp. and other energy companies while data showing moderate inflation lifted optimism about the economy.

Exxon's stock led the major advancers in the S&P 500 as crude rose on gasoline supply concerns.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Ensor, Independent News, KSK, Intercontinental: U.K., Irish Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may rise or fall
in U.K. and Irish markets today. Stock symbols are in parentheses
and prices are from yesterday's close.

The benchmark FTSE 100 Index rose 90.30, or 1.4 percent, to
6649.90 in London. The FTSE All-Share Index rose 47.86, or 1.4
percent, to 3435.94.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index Advances to Record; Construction Bank Climbs

(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong's key stock index rose,
headed for a record close. China Construction Bank Corp. led
banks higher after saying it plans to sell shares valued at $5.5
billion in Shanghai, where valuations are higher.

``The overall trend for companies to list in the mainland
is a solid positive factor,'' said Renee Hung, who helps manage
$3.5 billion at Value Partners Ltd. in Hong Kong. ``Shares of
these companies will have a short-term run. The market gets a
sentiment boost.''


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Cemex, Eternit, Grupo Mexico, Petrobras May Move: Latin Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may make
significant gains or losses in Brazil and Mexico today. Symbols
are in parentheses after the company name, and stock prices are
from the last session.

In Brazil, preferred shares are the most commonly traded
class of stock.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Crude Oil Rises on Concern About U.S. Fuel Supplies, Iran's Nuclear Plans

(Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose after a U.S. government
report showed refineries cut their operating rates, raising concern
fuel supplies may fall short of demand this summer.

U.S. refiners used 89.2 percent of their plant capacity last
week, the lowest since May 4 and the lowest rate in 15 years for
that time of year. Iran, the Middle East's second-largest producer
of crude, is advancing its nuclear research, which has been opposed
by the U.S. and allies.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Treasury Market `Specials' Decline After Warning on Manipulative Trading

(Bloomberg) -- Shortages of U.S. Treasuries have
become less common in the $5 trillion market for borrowing and
lending the securities since Treasury Department officials
warned Wall Street firms to end manipulative trading practices.

Failures to receive or deliver securities, an indication of
scarcity, have averaged $102.1 billion a week this year, less
than a third of their 2005 average and the fewest since 2000,
according to Federal Reserve Bank of New York data. Lending of
all debt securities by the 21 firms that trade directly with the
Fed averaged $2.5 trillion a day that year, according to the
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News