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Looks at the role of the investment bank HSBC Holdings PLC in the bidding war over British spirits giant Allied Domecq PLC. Report on how, unlike other investment banks such Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., HSBC does not have a major role advising either Allied Domecq or any of the companies interested in acquiring a piece of it; Comments from investment banker John Studzinski regarding the bank's involvement; Potential for investor impatience.

Reports that Pernod Ricard SA of France is in talks to buy Allied Domecq PLC of Great Britain after months of informal discussion. Profile of the two liquor makers; How the merger would bring brands such as Chivas Regal scotch, Beefeater gin, and Jacob's Creek wines under one owner; Speculation on the price of the deal; Potential impact of the merger on other businesses of Allied Democq, such as Dunkin' Donuts.

Focuses on investment speculation that Allied Domecq will be the target of a merger or acquisition in the global spirits and liquor industry. Comments of Philip Bowman, Allied's chief executive officer, about the inevitability of consolidation; Impact of industry giant Diageo on investor speculation; Prospects for a merger; Performance of Allied on the New York Stock Exchange; Comments from Michael Bleakly, analyst for Credit Suisse First Boston, regarding Allied's valuation.

Reports the plan of a consortium of private equity firms to compete with the bid offered by Pernod Ricard SA to acquire Allied Domecq PLC.

States that Pernod Ricard SA of France and Fortune Brands Inc. of the U.S. are teaming up to acquire Allied Domecq PLC of Great Britain in a deal worth $14 billion.

Reports that Pernod Ricard SA, maker of Chivas Regal Scotch whisky and Jacob's Creek wines, is studying a possible takeover of Allied Domecq PLC, famous for its Beefeater gin and Stolichnaya vodka. Profiles of each company; Impact of a merger on the industry; Speculation on the likelihood of the deal.

Presents information on the financial report of Allied Domecq PLC for the period ending August 31, 2004.

Reports on the decrease in the net profit of Allied Domecq PLC in its fiscal first half of 2004.

Examines the competition between brewed-coffee sellers Starbucks Corp. and Dunkin' Donuts Inc., a unit of Allied Domecq PLC. Percentage jump in coffee sales at Starbucks, which Starbucks chairman and founder Howard Schultz attributes to opening stores in blue-collar communities where Dunkin' Donuts would typically dominate; Comments from Jon L. Luther, chief executive of Allied Domecq's restaurant division, regarding the mainstream popularity of coffee drinks such as latte, espresso and cappuccino, which Dunkin' Donuts is now offering in response to Starbucks' incursion; Estimated percentage of coffee sales Allied is hoping to receive from new coffee products; Comparison of the coffee products offered by Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks, indicating Dunkin' Donuts is cheaper; How Starbucks has performed in several black and hispanic communities as the result of their partnership with Magic Johnson's Johnson Development Corp.

Focuses on the plan of Allied Domecq PLC to sell its 14.5 percent stake in Australia's Peter Lehmann Wines Ltd. to closely held Swiss company Hess Group as of October 2003.

Reports on the strategy being used by Allied Domecq on its wine business, as of July 2003.

Reports the pull-out of the account of the company Allied Domecq from the advertising holding company Cordiant Communications Group in the U.S. in April 2003.

Reports the listing of the ordinary shares of international wine and spirits company Allied Domecq PLC in the New York Stock Exchange.

Reports on an increase in pretax profit posted by Allied Domecq for the fiscal first half ended February 28, 2002.

Reports that Diageo PLC has settled a court battle with Allied Domecq PLC over its Captain Morgan rum brand.

Reports that Allied Domecq PLC has emerged as the leading contender to buy the Malibu rum brand of Diageo PLC.

Focuses on the move of British company Allied Domecq PLC to acquire the United States distribution rights to Stolichnaya Vodka.

Focuses on the decision of Allied Domecq company to choose the Chicago office of Omnicom's BBDO as the entity that will handle its Stolichyana Vodka advertising account.

Announces the decision of Allied Domecq PLC to buy the Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagne brands from Hicks Muse Tate & Furst. Amount involved in the deal; Risk involved in Allied's decision; Why Allied changed its mind about bidding for Seagram Co.

Focuses on the cancellation of Allied Domecq's participation in the auction for the wine and spirit business of Seagram Company. Reason for the cancellation; Interest of Allied Domecq to acquire Captain Morgan rum and Absolut vodka brands; Reason for the popularity of the auction.

Offers a look at the issues surrounding the sale of Captain Morgan, a rum brand distributed by Seagram Co. Claims of Allied Domecq PLC against Seagram; Issues associated with the plan of Seagram to sell its drinks division; Status of Captain Morgan in the alcoholic beverage market in 2000.

Reports on the plan of Allied Domecq to enhance the brand image of Stolichnaya vodka following its acquisition of a United States distribution rights to the vodka. Information on the deal between the Russian vodka and Allied Domecq; Budget allotted for the rebranding of the vodka; Advertising agency which handles the advertisement for the vodka; Significance of brand image to the vodka sector.

Reports on the pre-tax profit posted by Allied Domecq PLC for the year ended August 31, 2000. Brands with strong sales; Likely gain of Allied Domecq PLC from the acquisition of Seagram Co.'s liquor brands; How Allied Domecq has overhauled operations.

Reports that Allied Domecq has entered into an agreement with Destileria Seralles Inc. to separately obtain rights to Captain Morgan Old Spiced rum of Seagram. Statement issued by Seagram regarding Allied Domecq's agreement; Impact of the agreement on Seagram's auction.

Reports on the companies bidding for the auction of the liquor and wine business of Seagram Co. Interest shown by the management of Seagram to bid in the auction; Brief background of the purchase of Seagram by Vivendi SA; Alliance of Diageo PLC and Pernod Ricard SA to make an offer for the business; Participation of Allied Domecq PLC in the auction.

Provides information on the advertising campaign of the Allied Domecq's Dunkin' Donuts.

Focuses on the possible purchase of Seagram Co. by Vivendi SA and what this will mean to the alcoholic beverage industry. Revenues of the Seagram Spirits & Wine Group; The group's powerful collection of brands; The possibility of a joint-venture transaction being struck with Allied Domecq PLC.

Reports the increase in sales of major liquor marketers for 1999. Main growth categories of the liquor; Sales of Allied Domecq, Diageo PLC's United Distillers & Vintners and Seagram Co.; Approach used by marketers to inspire future consumption of liquor.

Reports on the action that Great Britain Trade and Industry intended to do regarding the planned purchase by Punch Group Ltd. of the pub operations of Allied Domecq PLC.

Reports that share prices of Allied Domecq PLC and Pernod-Ricard SA rallied amid renewed speculation that the drinks companies might be in merger talks. Cause of the speculation; Amount of Pernod's speculated takeover bid for Allied Domecq; Share price of Allied Domecq on the London Stock Exchange.

Presents several news briefs on events and developments happening in the business sector of the Asia-Pacific region. Position of China Airlines on a pilot's decision to land a jet that crashed and flipped over at Hong Kong's airport last August 22, 1999; Charges filed against Low Thian Hock, the executive chairman of Repco Holdings; Details of the whiskey joint venture between Allied Domecq and Jinro.

Presents news briefs from around the world. Focus of Allied Domecq; Economic growth in South Africa; Details on the kidnapping of four Japanese mining engineers in Kyrgyzstan.

Reports on the negotiation to sell the pubs unit of Allied Domecq PLC. Talks held with Punch Taverns Ltd.; Problems regarding the negotiation; Prediction on the outcome of the talks.

Presents news briefs concerning business enterprises in Europe as of July 19, 1999. Information on the code of conduct drafted by the officials of the European Commission; Update on the proposed merger between the pubs of Allied Domecq PLC and the Punch Taverns company; Increase in the pretax profits of Piraeus Bank.

Reports on the decision of Whitbread PLC to withdraw its bidding for the pubs unit of Allied Domecq PLC. Other bidders for the unit; Ruling of the British Department of Trade and Industry on Whitbread's bid; Whitbread's reason for withdrawing.

Presents news briefs on business enterprises in Europe as of July 15, 1999. Actions taken by the government of Great Britain concerning the takeover bid for the pub operations of Allied Domecq PLC; Information on Bundesbank in Germany; Information on British Airways PLC.

Reports that Allied Domecq PLC backed an initial offer from Whitbread PLC but did not rule out considering a revised bid from Punch Taverns Ltd. Cash and stock offer of Whitbread for Allied Domecq; Remarks from Punch Taverns about its plan to acquire Allied Domecq; Share price of Allied Domecq on the London Stock Exchange on July 6, 1999.

Presents business-related news briefs in Europe and the Middle East as of July 6, 1999. Meeting of the board of Allied Domecq; Expansion of United States operations of National Power company of Great Britain; Decision of Centrica company to acquire Automobile Association; Decision of creditors of Sidanko company in Russia to end bankruptcy proceedings.

Presents information on the takeover bid for Allied Domecq PLC by Punch Taverns Group Ltd. Amount of the cash offer; Number of bars owned by Domecq in Great Britain; Decline in the price of Whitbread PLC stocks.

Reports on the plan of Punch Taverns Ltd. to launch a hostile bid for Allied Domecq PLC's pub chain. Amount of money to be offered; Stocks of Allied Domecq and Whitbread PLC.

Reports that Bass PLC and Punch Taverns Ltd. have jointly launched a counterbid for the pubs unit of Allied Domecq PLC. Value of the companies' capital investment; Agreement between Allied and Whitbread PLC; Comments from an Allied Domecq spokesman.

Presents information on the conglomerate Allied Domecq PLC. Increase in stock price of Allied; Plans for the sale of its pub chains; Appointment of Philip Bowman as chief executive; Information on the product line of Seagram Co.; Bid of Pernod-Ricard SA for spirits unit of Allied.

Presents news briefs on business enterprises in Europe. Hostile bid planned by Punch Taverns Group for Allied Domecq company; Plans of Solvay company to invest on research capital expenditure and acquisitions; Decline in the annual profits of Air France.

States that Allied Domecq PLC has reached an agreement to sell its British pubs unit to Whitehead PLC. Value of the transaction; Stock performance of the companies.

Reports on the move of Warren Buffett, a financier, to acquire a 2.2 percent stake in Allied Domecq PLC, a liquor company. Background of Buffett; Investment activities of Buffett.

Reports on the plan of Whitbread PLC to acquire United Kingdom pubs from Allied Domecq PLC. Benefits of the deal; Comments from a Whitbread spokeswoman.

Presents an update on some business enterprises in Europe. Percentage of the capital of Sweden's truck maker Scania that Volvo acquired; Bid of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton for Credit Lyonnais; Earnings of Britain's Allied Domecq for the quarter ended February 28, 1999.

Presents news briefs on advertising. Downsizing at True North Communications' Foote Cone & Belding; Advertising campaign launched by Allied Domecq for its Kahlua brand; Acquisition of Pros, a golf-representation agency, by Octagon, the sports marketing and entertainment unit of Interpublic Group.

Reports the July 20, 1999 agreement to buy Allied Domecq PLC's pub unit by Hugh Osmond's Punch Taverns Ltd. Difficulties of the purchase; History of the scheduled purchase of Allied Domecq by Whitbread PLC; Role of Osmond in the destruction of the deal; Popularity of pubs, or public houses, in Britain; Economic aspects, including overseas financing; Comments from Karen Jones, manager of bar room bar.

Reports an announcement by Britain's Allied Domecq PLC in June 1995 that it will sell its tea and coffee interests to Karand Limited. Details of the announcement.