S.E.C. and Justice Dept. End Mortgage Investigations Into Goldman

Federal authorities ended two investigations into the actions of Goldman Sachs during the financial crisis, handing a quiet victory to the bank after years of public scrutiny.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/08/09/goldman-says-sec-has-ended-mortgage-investigation/?pagewanted=all

Manchester United Trades Flat in Debut

Manchester United stumbled after kicking off its initial public offering, as the world-famous soccer club’s stock traded flat in its debut on Friday.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/08/10/manchester-united-opens-at-14-05-in-first-day-of-trading/?pagewanted=all

JPMorgan files formal first-quarter restatement

JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM) filed a formal restatement of its first-quarter results on Thursday to reflect its conclusion that the values of derivatives positions on a London trading desk were originally overstated.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/jpmorgan-files-formal-first-quarter-120150448.html

Apple vs. Samsung: Is It the Trial of the Century?

Patent infringement cases have become almost commonplace in the global tech market, but the Apple (AAPL)-Samsung (SSNLF) trial now underway in San Jose, California is anything but common.

In its first week, the trial revealed some of Apple's product and marketing secrets which are traditionally guarded as if they were nuclear grade trade secrets. "It's not an exaggeration to compare [Apple] to the CIA or some other intelligence agency," Fortune's Adam Lashinsky told The Daily Ticker earlier this year. "They believe everything that happens inside is a secret and that pertains not just to…outsiders but also internally. They don't share their secrets [and] you're expected to mind your own business.

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/apple-vs-samsung-trial-century-134519391.html

Times Co. Said to Reach Preliminary Deal to Sell About.com

The New York Times Company is in the process of selling the online resource guide About.com, according to an executive familiar with the negotiations.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/times-said-to-reach-preliminary-deal-to-sell-about-com/

Heineken Faces Possible Bidding War Over Stake in Asian Brewer

Heineken’s commitment to buying out Asia Pacific Breweries, the maker of Tiger Beer, is being tested by a group linked to one of Thailand’s richest men, as the fight for a bigger slice of the world’s last growing beer markets intensifies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/09/business/global/heineken-faces-possible-bidding-war-over-stake-in-asian-brewer.html?ref=business

Heineken bid for Tiger Beer faces Thai challenge

Heineken's (HEIA.AS) $6 billion bid to take full control of Tiger Beer maker Asia Pacific Breweries (A46.SI) faces a challenge from a group led by Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, which has put in a higher bid to increase its stake in APB.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/heineken-bid-tiger-beer-faces-125452100.html

DreamWorks Animation Plans Shanghai Theme Park

DreamWorks Animation SKG, the Hollywood studio behind hits like “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “Madagascar 3,” said Tuesday it planned to co-develop a $3.1 billion cultural and entertainment district in Shanghai with a group of Chinese partners.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/business/global/08iht-park08.html?_r=1&ref=business

Best Buy Founder Offers $8.8 Billion to Buy Out Company

Richard Schulze, the founder of Best Buy, offered to buy the electronics retailer on Monday for as much as $8.8 billion.

A deal near that price would be biggest ever buyout of an American retailer, according to S.&P. Capital IQ data, topping the $8.4 billion buyout of Toys “R” Us in 2005.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/best-buy-founder-offers-8-8-billion-to-buy-out-company/

The Long-Term Value of Internet Companies

A decade after the last technology bubble burst, the signs are everywhere that it is happening again.

Look at what’s happened to the highly publicized initial public offerings: Facebook’s value has declined $30 billion since its I.P.O., costing investors nearly half their investment. Zynga shares have plummeted. Groupon shares trade at such an extreme discount that there should be a Groupon for them. Pandora’s stock, once $17, has touched $7. Companies like Friendster and MySpace, meanwhile, toil in oblivion.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/the-long-term-value-of-internet-companies/

JAL Plans an I.P.O. to Raise $8.5 Billion

Japan Airlines, the former flagship carrier driven to bankruptcy and a government bailout two years ago, will relist its stock in Tokyo on Sept. 19 in an initial public offering that could raise $8.5 billion.


http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/jal-plans-an-i-p-o-to-raise-8-5-billion/

Japan Widens Inquiry Into Insider Trading

A government investigation into insider trading in Japan has extended onto the trading floors of some of the largest Wall Street companies, including Goldman Sachs, UBS and Deutsche Bank.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/japan-widens-inquiry-into-insider-trading/

Monsanto Wins Big Award in a Biotech Patent Case

A federal jury awarded $1 billion in damages to the crop biotechnology leader Monsanto on Wednesday, saying that its arch rival DuPont had willfully infringed a patent covering Roundup Ready soybeans.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/business/monsanto-wins-big-award-in-a-biotech-patent-case.html?ref=business

Wal-Mart Ensures Customers' Voices Are Heard by Campaigns

When he first ran for president, then-Senator Barack Obama of Illinois said in May 2007 that he wouldn't shop at Wal-Mart because the world's largest retailer didn't pay its workers enough.

By January 2011, first lady Michelle Obama stood with the company to announce its decision to reformulate thousands of products to make them healthier by reducing sodium and sugars.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/wal-mart-ensures-customers-voices-040001985.html

Maple Group Wins Battle for Toronto Exchange Parent

The Maple Group, a consortium of Canadian financial firms and pension funds, acquired 91 percent of the shares in the TMX Group, securing its $3.7 billion buyout of the Canadian bourse.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/maple-group-wins-battle-for-toronto-exchange-parent/

MGM Said to Plan a Buyout of Icahn’s Stake

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer plans to buy out Carl C. Icahn‘s entire stake in the film studio for about $590 million, as preparation to eventually go public, a person briefed on the matter said on Tuesday.


http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/31/m-g-m-said-to-plan-a-buyout-of-icahns-stake/