South Korean Consumer Confidence Rose to 15-Month High in Second Quarter

(Bloomberg) -- South Korean consumers showed the
most optimism in 15 months in the second quarter, an indication
that households may spend more and help spur economic growth.

The Bank of Korea's consumer confidence index increased to
108 in the second quarter from 103 in the previous three months,
the central bank said in a statement in Seoul today. A reading
higher than 100 indicates optimists outnumber pessimists.


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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

Asia Energy Day Ahead: Nigeria Strike Ends; Oil Price May Surge, BIS Says

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Senate passed legislation
that would overhaul car fuel economy standards for the first
time in more than 20 years and quadruple use of alternative
fuels. Gasoline futures rose to the highest in more than three
weeks on concern U.S. refineries aren't making enough of the
fuel to meet motorists' needs. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg
News were split over whether oil prices will rise or fall this
week amid surging U.S. inventories and threats to Nigerian
shipments.

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Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

Raytheon to protest U.S. award to rivals: WSJ

(Reuters) - Raytheon officials decided to file a protest after, in the past week, having been briefed on the contest outcome, the Journal reported.




"Raytheon filed a bid protest on Friday with the Government Accountability Office regarding the Joint Cargo Aircraft award announced June 13, 2007. We will have no further comment at this time," Raytheon said in a statement obtained by the Journal.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

RPT-Bay Street Week Ahead: Are Canadians a bunch of wimps?

(Reuters) - VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 22 - "Canadians
are passive," says long-time shareholder activist Bob Verdun,
echoing an oft-heard lament about fainthearted investors in a
country where people are known for being polite, not
confrontational.




His comment comes as the criminal fraud trial of former
Canadian media tycoon Conrad Black is wrapping up in Chicago
and some people wonder why, when the holding company of Black's
now defunct publishing empire was based in Canada, he is not
being tried here?


Read more at Reuters.com Government Filings News

Putin looks to gain lead in Balkan energy battle

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged on Sunday to help develop a Black Sea energy hub as the battle to control Europe's energy markets and supply routes moves to the Balkans.

At a Balkan energy summit held in Croatia, Putin said Russia, which supplies a quarter of Europe's gas, wanted to play a key role in all facets of energy supply and generation to the region, stressing Moscow's close cultural and historical ties.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Saab, Investor AB, Volvo and Fluegger Shares: Preview of Nordic Equities

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may rise or
fall in Nordic markets. Stock symbols follow company names and
prices are from the last close.

Markets in Finland and Sweden were closed June 22 for the
Midsummer holiday. Denmark's Copenhagen OMX 20 Index fell 1
percent to 480.88, while Norway's OBX Index declined 0.5 percent
to 421.96. Iceland's ICEX 15 Index rose 0.6 percent to 8236.83.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News