WRAPUP 1-Asia growth outlook brightens with resilient exports

(Reuters) - Economists canvassed in the quarterly survey have ramped up
growth forecasts for 12 economies in the Asia-Pacific after
output, exports and consumption data have consistently
outstripped expectations. Japan was not included in the poll.




As a result, several Asian economies are now expected to
match or even top last year's economic performance.


Read more at Reuters.com Economic News

US Congress pushed on world impact of farm policy

(Reuters) - Congress must consider more carefully the impact of U.S. farm policy on the developing world, agriculture experts say in a forthcoming report which argues that copious subsidies at home may only further impoverish poor nations and stunt future export markets.

"It's the furthest thing from their mind," said Robert Thompson, one author of a report to be launched on Thursday by the International Food and Agriculture Trade Policy Council, a Washington-based group.


Read more at Reuters Africa

UPDATE 1-Matsushita says time to review ties with JVC

(Reuters) - "Senior executives from both companies are studying ways to
improve corporate value," Fumio Ohtsubo told an annual
shareholders' meeting, adding that Matsushita would make public
its plans for JVC when an official decision has been made.




Sources told Reuters on Saturday that JVC will likely merge
audio equipment maker Kenwood Corp. under a joint
holding company as early as 2008. Matsushita, which holds 52.4
percent of JVC, is expected to sell its shares to the holding
company.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Bear Stearns taps managers to save hedge fund

(Reuters) - Marin appointed Marano last week to help with the funds managed by Ralph R. Cioffi, who retains his current role as portfolio manager for both funds, said one source.




Company spokesman Russell Sherman declined to comment.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

Adidas, Axel Springer, Deutsche Post, EM.TV, E.ON, SAP: German Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may rise or
fall in German markets.

Germany's X-DAX Index dropped 0.7 percent to 7839.27. The
index provides an estimate of the DAX Index, based on trading in
DAX futures after the Xetra electronic market closes. The DAX
fell 0.9 percent to 7860.52 on the Xetra electronic-trading
system.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Toshiba Shares Rise on Report It Won $4.9 Billion U.S. Nuclear Plant Order

(Bloomberg) -- Shares of Toshiba Corp. rose after a
Nikkei report said the company beat General Electric Co. and
Hitachi Ltd. to win a 600 billion yen ($4.9 billion) contract to
supply nuclear plant equipment to NRG Energy Inc.

Toshiba, Japan's biggest maker of nuclear power reactors by
capacity, gained 1.2 percent to 1,036 yen as of 10:56 a.m. on the
Tokyo Stock Exchange. Toshiba Plant Systems & Services Corp., its
power construction unit, rose 6.6 percent to 1,033 yen.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Citi in talks to buy electronic trading firm-WSJ

(Reuters) - The deal would be part of Citigroup's strategy of trying to
increase its market share in trading U.S. stocks while bringing
under its roof computer programs that could improve its efforts
to trade stocks overseas, according to the report.




Citigroup did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
A spokeswoman for ATD declined comment.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News