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Carlsberg’s rights issue
What is Carlsberg waiting for? The Danish brewer needs to undertake a rights issue to complete the funding for its part in the break-up of UK peer Scottish & Newcastle
Glamorous Reckitt
This year a quarter of Reckitt Benckiser’s sales, and at least a third of profits, will be made from consumer healthcare – selling branded versions of generic drugs that do not need a prescription
Advertising buyers
Whatever happened to the old saw about advertising budgets being the first thing to go in a downturn? Two of the largest buyers of space reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter sales and a bullish outlook
Cadbury’s next move
Mars’s agreed offer for Wrigley has prompted speculation that Cadbury will respond with a consolidation deal, but revenue synergies are hard to achieve
Buffett, Mars & Wrigley
Mars’ move – following Campbell’s recent sale of Godiva – is likely to heat up talks over strategic combinations between Nestlé, Kraft, Hershey, Cadbury and smaller Lindt
Screen wars
In 2006, plasma TVs outsold their liquid crystal display peers by a ratio of almost three to one in the 40-inch-plus category, according to IDC consultancy. But the dynamics reversed last year
Agricultural land
Agriculture used to be an asset class for ultra-pessimists only. But now, the phrase ‘bull market’ has a literal resonance, as hedge fund managers buy up swathes of land
Watching luxury
Is the slump in luxury goods sales finally starting? There are some signs the market is cooling, but much of the news is still good
Macao curbs gaming
The odds suddenly look a lot better for casino operators who took a punt on Macao as the government unveiled plans to extend a moratorium on new casino licences
Cruise liner shift
The cruise line industry expects double-digit growth or approaching it to continue in Europe and the US. But demographic forecasts suggest that the industry may have to abandon its youth agenda to make this a reality



