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HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — The Reserve Bank of Australia Tuesday left a key short-term interest rate unchanged at 7.25%, citing “tentative evidence that growth in domestic demand is moderating” after recent rate hikes. Governor Glenn Stevens wrote in a statement business and consumer sentiment have softened in the early part of this year. He added […]

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — South Korea’s trade deficit shrank to $670 million in March from $1.25 billion in the previous month, according to a published report Tuesday. Imports surged 25.9% to $36.87 billion during the month, outpacing exports, which rose 19.1% to $36.20 billion, the Korea Times reported, citing the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. In […]

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. is to establish a $41 million joint venture with Chinese construction contractor China Railway Erju Co. to develop infrastructure projects and industrial complexes in China, according to news wire reports Tuesday. China Railway Erju will hold a 51% stake in the venture, while Lehman unit ALAM […]

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — International Business Machines said late Monday it learned it has been temporarily suspended from new business with federal agencies because of an ongoing procurement probe. The Environmental Protection Agency is probing possible procurement integrity violations by IBM employees. IBM also said it has been served with grand jury subpoenas from […]

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — BMC Software Inc. said late Monday the antitrust waiting period for its acquisition of BladeLogic Inc. has ended early. Earlier in the month, BMC offered $28 a share for BladeLogic in a deal valued at about $800 million.Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets […]

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Market self-regulatory organizations late Monday warned traders against circulating any “sensational rumors that might reasonably be expected to affect market conditions” as well as trading on material, non-public information. “Intentionally spreading false rumors or engaging in collusive activity to impact the financial condition of an issuer will not be tolerated and […]

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — KKR Financial Holdings said late Monday that it will sell 20 million new shares. The investment firm also said it transferred mortgage-backed securities to holders of its commercial paper in return for those noteholders releasing KKR Financial from its obligations to repay them. The company also announced that it agreed […]

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Lehman Bros. Holdings Inc. said late Monday that it plans to offer 3 million of convertible preferred shares “in response to investor interest.” Lehman also expects to grant the offering’s underwriter an option to purchase up to 450,000 additional preferred shares. It said the proceeds will be used to bolster […]

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Lehman Bros. Holdings Inc. said late Monday that it plans to offer 3 million of convertible preferred shares “in response to investor interest.” Lehman also expects to grant the offering’s underwriter an option to purchase up to 450,000 additional preferred shares. It said the proceeds will be used to bolster […]

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — RiskMetrics Group Inc. said late Monday its fourth-quarter profit fell to $1.2 million, or 2 cents a share, from $3.7 million, or 7 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue rose to $67.6 million from $25.3 million in the year-ago period. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research estimated a profit of […]