Global asset management M&A jumped in 1st half '07

(Reuters) - The value of asset management merger and acquisition
transactions more than doubled January-June to $32.3 billion,
from $13.7 billion in the year-ago period, the firm said.




Recent M&A deals in the industry include the $5.75 billion
bid for Nuveen Investments by an investor group led by
private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners LLC, and
BlackRock Inc.'s . purchase of Quellos Group's fund of
funds business for up to $1.7 billion to expand its hedge
funds.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Higher Bond Yields Signal Gains for Stocks on Economy, Lessening Inflation

(Bloomberg) -- Is the five-year stock market rally
threatened by the highest bond yields since 2002? Some of the
world's biggest investors say no.

LPL Financial Services, Bank of America Corp. and BlackRock
Inc., which together oversee $1.9 trillion, say the three-month
increase in yields shows investors are selling bonds in
anticipation of faster economic growth -- not a pickup in
inflation. Their evidence includes falling gold prices and a
narrowing trade deficit.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News