M&A

29 October, 2009

UPDATE 1-Market Chatter -- Corporate finance press digest

(Adds Lovells, MGPA, National Express)

BANGALORE, Oct 29 (Reuters) - The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Thursday:

* Global miner Rio Tinto (RIO.AX) is looking to mend relations with Chinese metals firm Chinalco by making a joint investment in Mongolia's Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine project, an Australian newspaper said. [ID:nSYD330534]

* National Express (NEX.L) said all discussions with rival British bus and rail group Stagecoach (SGC.L) had ceased, the Financial Times quoted the company as saying. [ID:nLT142587]

* City law firm Lovells was discussing a potential tie-up with Washington-based Hogan & Hartson, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

* Private equity group MGPA is in the final round of talks to acquire Land Improvement Holdings for 90 million pounds, the Financial Times reported.

* The London Stock Exchange (LSE.L) and shareholders in trading platform Turquoise are expected to reach a deal within two weeks which will result in a new joint venture, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. [ID:nLS135688] (Compiled by Shivani Singh; Editing by Deepak Kannan)

Source: http://www.reuters.com