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Reports on the growth of corporate mergers in London, England citing its implications on corporate liquidity. Trends in the Financial Times-Stock Exchanges index; Industrial sectors with merger deals; Market and economic indicators.

Reports that the U.S. Treasury Department froze the assets of Abu Hamza Al-Masri, an imam suspected of recruiting jihad fighters in London, England. Statement that Hamza is an officer of the group responsible for the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen; Indication that moderates who finance his mosque want to force him out; Mention of suspected terrorist financier Ahmed Idris Nasreddin; Complaint of Arab-American activists about raids on Muslim organizations in Virginia.

The article reports on the move of Bank of England (BofE) in England to extend the terms of its special liquidity scheme (SLS) under another plan. The bank's SLS is expected to end on October 21, 2008. The bank stated that the program was always meant to be a short-term solution. However, it aims to reveal plans for liquidity access beyond the deadline in October. It is stated that the other SLS will be a one-off scheme to offer insurance and liquidity to banks experiencing short term problem.

The article reports that London, England is changing the rules in its funds listings system. An overhaul of the system means that, feeder funds can now undertake a primary listing in London under chapter 15 of the listing rules in Great Britain. Nigel Farr of Herbert Smith said that there are definite funds due to this change as there is greater liquidity for shares as London is a broader and deeper market. MW Tops is the first fund to take advantage of this shift. The rule changes are being seen as a general liberalisation of policy.

Reports on the impact of coordinated bomb attacks on public transportation in London, England on July 7, 2005 on the European financial market. Decline in European stock markets; Increase in the Crossover Index of lower rated credits; Factor that can be attributed to the recovery of liquidity in the credit default swap market.

The article focuses on the reason behind liquidity in the futures market in London, England. Critics of the London International Financial Futures Exchange (LIFFE) have tended to focus on the relative volatility of its prices: "relative,"that is, in relation to the biggest U.S. exchanges; and the "volatility"in terms of minute-to-minute or second-to-second price. According to these critics reason behind this process has been the lack of "locals" at LIFFE--of members who trade speculate, and arbitrage in relatively small amounts. LIFFE executives readily conceded that this has been a problem, but they point out that in a sense it was almost deliberately created, by their policy of encouraging maximum membership, from the start, of end users--major financial institutions. Phil Barnett, a LIFFE local who trades entirely for his own account, told that traders are seeing a continual growth of business and the local element is able to increase its earnings. Richard Chambers and John Jackson of London Commodity Futures Ltd. have also expressed similar views regarding the issue.

The article reports on the plan of Bank of Georgia to seek a premium listing in London, England in the hope of increasing the liquidity of its stock, raise its profile and differentiate itself from other banks in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). As part of the move, a British incorporated firm and a tender for all outstanding shares will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2011. The bank attributes its economic performance, including its capital generation, to its domestic market.

Tier two capital is now the instrument of choice post-CRD 4 given its clarity and executability, say Credit Agricole CIB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights a panel discussion on bank funding and liquidity held at the European Corporate Credit Conference in London, England. Panellists believe that financial institutions face a challenging year ahead as regulations change the operating landscape and sovereign risk continues. Speakers include Dierk Brandenburg, analyst at Fidelity Investments and Manish Bakhda, credit sector specialist for insurance at Citi.

The article reports on the sale of a major property in London, England as a benchmark of the status of commercial mortgage securitizations backed with similar collateral. The sale is a main factor for the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) because the market has been affected by illiquidity and a lack of information. A Fitch Ratings analyst said that bondholders must anticipate developments within Indus and Windermere XI because that are backed with similar West End property.

The article focuses on the plan of DP World to list in London, England in the second quarter of 2010. The listing will be handled by Citi and Deutsche Bank. According to a banker, it will be difficult to generate liquidity with a sale of fresh equity for the listing. The company previously refused to list in London when DP listed on the DIFX in November 2007. Five of the companies that floated on DIFX/Nasdaq Dubai trade below issue price, including Albaraka Banking Group and Depa.

The article reports that copper has stabilised in the official session on the London Metal Exchange (LME) in England in October 2009 as liquidation of long positions started. Prices of three-month copper ended at 6,500/02 U.S. dollars per tonne during the official session compared with its opening price of 6,502 U.S. dollars per tonne. A trader also noted some liquidation across the whole metals complex.

The article reports on the plan of NYSE Liffe in London, England to combine its existing Short Term Interest Rate Liquidity Provider scheme (SLP) and Individual Liquidity Provider scheme (ILP) into a single incentive program. The exchange intends to include its EuroSwiss contract in the newly combined liquidity scheme. Paul MacGregor, director of fixed income at NYSE Liffe, believes that the new system will allow the exchange to give clients rebates more quickly and relates that customer demand caused the incorporation of the EuroSwiss contract.

This article announces the plan of Gemini, issuer of the commercial mortgage-backed security Gemini (Eclipse 06-3), to change the definitions to its liquidity ratings. It notes that the amendment plan can be attributed to a downgrade to its liquidity provider Danske Bank A/S London, England branch. Particular focus is given to the clause in question. In February 2009, the short-term rating of Danske Bank has been downgraded by Standard & Poor's Corp. from A-1+ to A-1. Gemini says the change did not weakened the transaction or altered its credit position.

The article discusses the highlights of the eighth annual Thorrablot at the Blue Dining Rooms in Chelsea in London, England. It was the first Thorrablot hosted by Lárus Welding, Glitnir's chief executive officer (CEO). Rating agency Moody's concluded that liquidity of Glitnir is sound. Competitors also showed up including Ali Lowrie from HBOS.

The article presents information on Markit's second loan credit default swap (LCDS) conference which was held in London, England. According to the author, speakers have predicted that the product was ready to move to new levels of volume and liquidity. It is said that lawyers are making common terms for the market.

The article reports the views of dealers on the structural inadequacies of the Eurex contract. One dealer said that the use of auctions to determine prices after a credit event makes it possible for counterparties with big positions to manipulate the auction process and introduce price swings. Dealers across London agreed that the liquidity enjoyed by the index market at the moment was so good that the contract would add nothing new.

Reports on the initial public offerings to be launched by copper company Kazakhmys. Banks mandated by the company to handle the transaction; Price of its shares; Intention of the company to list in London, England's securities market to access liquidity.

Reports on the decision of Asian bankers to postpone the pricing of bond issues following the terrorist attacks on public transportation in London, England on July 7, 2005. Reason behind the decision according to a syndicate banker in Hong Kong, China; Decline in liquidity in the secondary markets; Possibility of deal proceedings on July 8.

The article states that restoring confidence in London, England's financial center will be harder than fixing its bomb-damaged buildings. "Business as usual" was the upbeat message emanating from the City of London after the Irish Republican Army exploded a huge bomb in the heart of Great Britain's financial capital on April 24, 1993. Vulnerability to terrorist attack will work against not just London but other concentrated centers of business, as well. One such cost is higher property-insurance premiums. The withdrawal of terrorist-cover by insurers after last year's bomb may have left many buildings uninsured. A scheme to share the costs between insurers and taxpayers has been agreed to, but Parliament has yet to approve it. It would be unwise to bet on it. London's traditional advantages-light but effective regulation, lots of established firms, liquidity-are in any event being eroded as other centers catch up.

The article reveals that the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of London, England is suffering from de-listings and collapsing share prices. There is uncertainty surrounding the profitability of AIM work for financial public relations (PR) firms. According to Hemscott data, the number of AIM financial PR clients declined 12.5% in the second quarter of 2008, while only £3 million (m) was raised in flotations during the first quarter of 2009. Richard Oldworth of Buchanan Communications notes the reduced ratings and liquidity of AIM firms' stocks.

The article discusses the highlights of the inaugural conference by the Loan Market Association held in London, England, on October 16, 2008. The programme featured panel discussions on how to revitalize the primary market, where the liquidity safe havens are and how to invest in distressed debt. It notes that the panel on collateralized loan obligation (CLO) pointed out that investors are still there for the right structure. It states that the panel decided to poll the audience on where they would rather see their pension fund invested in.

The article evaluates the outcome of the first Hong Kong-London Forum to Promote Cooperation on Development of Renminbi Business. It relates the disappointment of bankers due the restricted offshore renminbi (CNH) regulations which does not allow direct cross quotations from renminbi into sterling or the euro because of lack of liquidity in the CNH market. The author points out that unless China eases its policies, London is limited to promoting bonds and offers foreign exchange services.

The article reports that CNH loan syndication is expected to grow following the establishment of London, England as an offshore renminbi centre. Prior to this, the offshore renminbi (CNH) loan market has been limited due to a lack of liquidity rather than the lack of the reliable pricing benchmark. The formation of London as an offshore renminbi hub is expected to solve both problems.

The article focuses on the issue of liquidity in the over-the-counter (OTC) iron ore market which was discussed at the Iron Ore Trading World Europe conference held in London, England. According to Ray Key, head of metals trading for Deutsche Bank, banks are slow in providing swap-related products to the iron ore market. Miners and steel mills are also criticized for their reluctance to participate in development of the OTC iron ore market.

The article reports on the efforts of Florian de Sigy, former structured equity sales head at Deutsche Bank, and Javier Rodriguez, former strategic account head in Barclays Global Investors (BGI), to offer investors with secondary hedge fund assets through their own firm called Gamma Finance in London, England in 2010. It was noted that such firm will provide advice to prospective sellers on how to release some hedge fund exposures. De Sigby claims that there is still a big demand for a secondary market, despite the liquidity of hedge funds.

The article reports on the mandate won by SJ Berwin from the Government to suggest on the establishment of its Capital for Enterprise Fund in London, England. The fund was considered by business secretary Peter Mandelson as a way of offering finance to viable businesses experiencing liquidity problems. Fund formation partner Simon Witney is heading the SJ Berwin team to advise the Government.

The article discusses problems encountered by BAA with the sale of Gatwick Airport in London, England. It is noted that bids for the airport were made although it is expected that BAA will be challenged by various factors, including weak liquidity in the banking industry and the fact that Ferrovial was only forced by regulators to sell the airport. It is asserted that lower traffic and equity participation may make BAA think of the price of Gatwick.

The article reports on a new multi-strategy fixed-income fund to be unveiled by London & Company in England in 2009. Managing director Daniel Freedman pointed out the boundless opportunities in the fixed-income sector and added that liquidity is an appealing feature for investors in a volatile environment. Information on the performance of the company's existing fund, the Global Multi-Strategy Hedge Fund of Funds, is provided.

The article reports on North-East Logistics director David Inston's expectation that the business based in Darlington, England will liquidate for many reasons. It notes that the creditors were invited to a meeting to decide its future. However, Inston was unwilling to discuss why the business hit the buffers which result to 18 redundancies. He confirms that he is contracted to work for Simpson Bros.

The article reports on efforts by London, England-based Thames River Capital to seek assets for its long/short global credit Hillside Apex fund. Having high liquidity, the 1.24 billion U.S. dollar hedge fund invests in sovereign and local currency, as well as emerging markets high-yield debt. Hillside Apex is managed by Bernt Tallaksen and Mehrdad Noorani.

The article reports on the introduction of four algorithms by London, England technology provider Fidessa to help traders take advantage of short-term market opportunities by accessing hidden and displayed liquidity. The algorithms are called BlueBox Execution Strategies that include Spotlight, Pounce, Midmax and Ladder. According to the article, they can route to destinations simultaneously or in sequence, letting users optimally work orders to meet their trading objectives.