Overseas Market News (MAY 9, 2007)

                                VALUE        CHANGE    % CHANGE
NIKKEI                    17,748.12    91.28            0.52%
Shanghai Comp    4,013.08    63.07             1.60%
Hang Seng             20,844.78    138.43         0.67%
FTSE 100                6,569.50    19.10             0.29%
DAX 30                    7,466.40    24.20              0.33%
CAC 40                    6,043.77    9.52                0.16%

Toyota Motors (TM) posted a 2 Trillion Yen profit in Japan; sees slower growth ahead; stock indicated down 0.55%.

Japan Airlines posted a loss for its fiscal 2006.

Softbank (9984.JP) posted 2006 revenues of 2 Trillion Yen.

Rio Tinto (RTP) trading higher on London speculation that BHP Billiton (BHP) may bid on the company.  Keep in mind this could have antitrust issues on a global basis.

BNP Paribas posted a 25% EPS gaiun in Europe.

Easyjet trading lower despite narrower losses in London.

Alltel (AT) is generating bid interest from several groups according to WSJ. Rumors have been out there on this name already.

China Mobile (CHL) looking for acquisitions in Asia according to WSJ.

General Electric (GE) is being urged to split up the company by shareholders according to WSJ.  This is a short term-bull market play and a bad idea long-term.

Outback Steakhouse (OSI) shareholder vote delayed on merger because of a lack of shareholder vote.  They didn’t offer enough premium is why.

Thomason (TOC) and Reuters (RTRSY) talks now looking like a $17.5 Billion deal according to New York Times.

Jon C. Ogg
May 9, 2007

Jon Ogg can be reached at [email protected]; he does not own securities in any of the companies he covers.