COMPANIES

Chinese property developer Evergrande Real Estate Group Limited plans to raise up to $769 million in a Hong Kong initial public offering, according to a term sheet obtained by Reuters on Monday, 63 percent below its attempted goal last year.

Minzhong, a leading Chinese food processing company backed by Singapore's GIC and buyout fund Olympus Capital, has hired JPMorgan to help it go public, sources said on Monday.

British insurer Aviva said it expected to pocket 1.2 billion euros ($1.79 billion) from the partial stock market flotation of Dutch subsidiary Delta Lloyd, financing growth opportunities including possible acquisitions.

Educational services provider Princeton Review Inc said it agreed to buy online career education company Penn Foster Education Group Inc for about $170 million in cash.

The board of French media conglomerate Vivendi has given the green light to proceed with an offer for GVT, the Brazilian telecommunications company said on Monday.

Sprint Nextel Corp plans to buy wireless affiliate iPCS Inc for about $426 million excluding debt, and the two companies have agreed suspend all litigation between them.

American Express Co will keep its 0.19 percent stake in China's largest bank, ICBC, after the lock-up period on the shares expires on Tuesday, the credit card company said.

The European Commission will make a quick decision to authorise three varieties of GM maize so as to relieve pressure on the livestock sector if EU ministers fail to agree, the EU farm chief said on Monday.

Sprint Nextel Corp plans to buy wireless affiliate iPCS Inc (IPCS.O) for about $426 million excluding debt, and the two companies have agreed suspend all litigation between them.

The German trust set up to oversee Opel said on Monday it saw no reason to re-open the sale of the carmaker despite EU concerns that Berlin's promises of state aid had skewed the bidding process.

Hasbro Inc posted a quarterly profit that beat Wall Street expectations and gave an upbeat outlook for the full-year, fueling hopes for better toy sales during the holidays.

Bernanke's Imbalances; $5 billion Derivatives Takeover Deal; Google's App Boast

Epic swindler Bernard Madoff's former beach home off the eastern-most point of New York's Long Island sold for $9.41 million, money that will go toward a fund for defrauded investors, the U.S. Marshals Service said on Friday.

Hasbro Inc reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Monday, boosted by demand for movie-related toys, although revenue fell short of expectations.

Chief executives from the biggest U.S. corporations worry that the slumping dollar could sap U.S. credibility around the globe, spur inflation and ultimately undermine the economy.

Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg expressed confidence on Saturday that Germany could address EU concerns about a sale of carmaker Opel to Canada's Magna, saying they did not put the deal at risk.

Commercial finance company CIT Group Inc and a group representing its bondholders have agreed on changes to the company's proposed restructuring plan as it looks shore up its finances.

The U.S. airline industry, finally poised for rebound after a near financial meltdown in 2008, may owe its survival to the creative minds who brought you fees, fees and more fees.

The slowest U.S. grain harvest in 30 years is increasing the cost to feed cattle, hogs and chickens, adding to the pain from the recession that has cut demand for meat.

A Dutch court gave DSB Bank a weekend reprieve on Friday, saying it had until Monday to come to terms with a mysterious potential buyer from the United States, Dutch television reported.

News Corp plans to examine Comcast Corp's possible deal to take over NBC Universal to see if opportunities present themselves, but it is not involved in any talks, its top executive said.

General Electric Co helped to pull the plug on Wall Street's recovery rally on Friday, reporting sales that missed expectations and cautioning that recovery from the brutal recession would be gradual.

Most U.S. coal miners are looking at sharply lower third-quarter earnings, but those who produce coal for steelmaking and export should enjoy higher prices in the longer run than those whose coal is sold for power generation, analysts say.

There is something about coming to this sun-baked corner of California that feels like inspecting the scene of a crime.

Merrill Lynch & Co's brokerage, the crown jewel that lured Bank of America Corp's chief executive into a takeover that ultimately cost him his job, is showing signs of a revival.

Tata Consultancy Services beat forecasts with a 29 percent rise in quarterly net profit helped by demand from recession-hit financial customers, but said a sharp growth rebound in the near term was unlikely.

Cadbury, under siege from a bid by Kraft, will look to paint a picture of growth at next week's update to try and see off the predator with analysts focusing on sales, volumes and margin trends.

Kraft Foods Inc is in talks to sell its Maxwell House coffee business to Sara Lee Corp in a move that would give it more money to increase its bid for Cadbury Plc, the New York Post reported on Friday, citing one source.

A bid for J Sainsbury Plc may not be imminent, but its property assets, growth plans and uncertainty over the intentions of its top investor could keep it a focus of speculation, and its stock in demand.