Asian Stocks Fall From a Record; Honda, Exporters Decline on U.S. Concern

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks fell, with a key
regional index dropping from a record. Honda Motor Co. paced a
decline among exporters as disappointing earnings from
Caterpillar Inc. dented confidence in the U.S. economy.

``Caterpillar's result suggested some earnings estimates
were too optimistic,'' said Norihiro Fujito, strategist at
Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co. in Tokyo.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Yen Trades Near Record Low Against Euro; Newspaper Polls Signal Abe Defeat

(Bloomberg) -- The yen traded near a record low
against the euro after surveys conducted by five Japanese
newspapers suggested the ruling coalition will lose its majority
in upper house elections on July 29.

The yen weakened against 15 of the 16 most-active
currencies after the newspaper polls showed the opposition
Democratic Party of Japan gained in popularity on the governing
Liberal Democratic Party. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is trying to
defend the majority of his coalition, which has tightened
controls on public spending in the past five years and guided
the economy to its longest postwar expansion.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Prosecutors seek medical records for Nacchio's son

(Reuters) - On July 6, Nacchio said in court filings in Denver federal
court that he deserves leniency because of his "prior good
works," and the health of two of his immediate family members,
including David Nacchio, his oldest son.




Assistant U.S. Attorney James Hearty said in the motion on
July 20 that Nacchio has submitted two letters from his son's
psychiatrist and the government should be allowed to review the
entire medical file to prepare a response at the sentencing.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

Japanese Yen, China Yuan, Indian Rupee, Thai Baht: Asian Currency Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following events and economic
reports may influence trading in Asian currencies today.

Exchange rates are from the previous session.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Ev3 Inc. to buy FoxHollow for $780 million

(Reuters) - On Friday, FoxHollow shares surged 9.3 percent to close at
$24.72 on Nasdaq. The transaction is expected to be completed
in the fourth quarter of 2007.




Under the terms of the deal, FoxHollow shareholders will
get 1.45 shares of Ev3 stock plus $2.75 in cash for each share
of FoxHollow they own. Ev3 shareholders would end up owning
about 59 percent of the combined company.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Treasuries Attract Cash-Flush Pension Funds Loaded With Stock Market Gains

(Bloomberg) -- Treasuries are getting an unexpected
boost from pension funds controlling more than $14 trillion.

Fund managers for companies including General Motors Corp.
and Alcatel-Lucent are shifting away from stocks to prepare for
accounting changes requiring them to more fully disclose the
value of their holdings. Bonds are gaining favor as funds seek
to avoid wider swings in prices that may accompany equities as
the new rules take effect, possibly later this year.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

Japan state pension to cut corp bond buying -Nikkei

(Reuters) - The Nikkei said the GPIF, which manages about 82 trillion
yen of bonds and stocks, is likely to keep
corporate bond holdings at about 3 trillion to 4 trillion yen.




The GPIF intends to replace maturing corporate debt, which
means purchases would total about 400 billion yen a year -- less
than half the current amount, the report said this weekend.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News