Treasury 10-Year Yield Near Highest in Almost Four Months After Durables

(Bloomberg) -- Treasuries were little changed, with
the 10-year yield near the highest since January, after a
government report showed orders for durable goods excluding
transportation rose in April more than economists forecast.

Ten-year yields increased yesterday as traders reduced the
odds of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve this year.
The Fed kept its target rate at 5.25 percent earlier this month,
saying inflation remains the ``predominant'' concern.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

India's NTPC inks deal with Nigeria for LNG import

(Reuters) - Indian state-run power firm NTPC Ltd. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigeria to buy up to 3 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year on a long-term basis, the utility said on Thursday.

NTPC, which signed the preliminary agreement on Tuesday, has also agreed to build either on its own or through a joint venture two power projects in Nigeria after the LNG deal is sealed, Director R.K. Jain said.


Read more at Reuters Africa

New York Times Upgraded at JPMorgan on Improving Ad Growth, Share Buybacks

(Bloomberg) -- New York Times Co. was upgraded to
``neutral'' from ``underweight'' at JPMorgan Securities Inc. on
the prospect of improving advertising growth and accelerating
share repurchases.

``The New York Times should continue to outperform peers'
newspaper ad growth in the near term with less exposure to the
deteriorating classified advertising category,'' analyst
Frederick Searby wrote in a note to investors. Classified ads
represent 28 percent of New York Times' ad business, below the 40
percent of rival newspapers, he wrote.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Sciele Pharma to buy stake in UK biotech firm Plethora

(Reuters) - Plethora is expected to begin a late-stage study on the
treatment in the second half of 2007.




Under the deal, Plethora will receive payments upon
achievement of regulatory and sales milestones, and royalty
payments on product sales.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Treasuries Little Changed as Durable Goods Orders Report Trails Forecast

(Bloomberg) -- Treasuries were little changed after
a government report showed orders for durable goods rose in
April less than economists forecast.

Ten-year yields increased yesterday to the highest level
since January as traders reduced the odds of an interest rate
cut by the Federal Reserve this year. The central bank kept its
target rate at 5.25 percent earlier this month, saying inflation
remains the ``predominant'' concern.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

Nissen, Crusading King of Hearts, Makes and Breaks Drugs for Glaxo, Merck

(Bloomberg) -- The news on Avandia shaved $13.7
billion from GlaxoSmithKline Plc's market value this week.
Doctors scurried to answer patient queries about the safety of
their diabetes drug. U.S. lawmakers demanded an investigation.

Chalk it all up to Steven Nissen. A study by Nissen, one of
the top U.S. heart researchers, revealed that Glaxo's popular
diabetes drug may raise heart attack risks. While the last word
on the product's safety isn't in, Nissen's pivotal role in
uncovering and publicizing the side effects of this and several
other drugs, including Merck & Co.'s Vioxx, is clear.


Read more at Bloomberg Exclusive News

Mercantile Bancorp to sell Missouri bank stake for $6.8 mln

(Reuters) - Mercantile Bancorp said it sees a gain of about $2.1
million on the sale in the fourth quarter.





Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News