French and Benelux stocks - Factors to watch on March 6

PARIS, March 6 (Reuters) - Below are leading stories from French and Benelux newspapers and company-related news which could have an impact on the region's markets or individual stocks.

PSA PEUGEOT CITROEN (PEUP.PA)

* Standard & Poor's cut its rating on Peugeot to BBB-/A-3, with a negative outlook. [ID:nWNA8280].

* German paper Sueddeutsche Zeitung said PSA Peugeot and BMW (BMWG.DE) were in talks on expanding their existing co-operation. [ID:nB694592].

NATIXIS (CNAT.PA)

French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said on Thursday she was seeking a change in strategy at Natixis (CNAT.PA), the loss-making investment bank whose parent companies have received state aid. [ID:nL5384265].

ION BEAM APPLICATIONS (IBAB.BR)

Ion Beam Applications reported disappointing 2008 earnings and cast a cautious outlook for the future. For more double click on [IBAB.BR]

ATENOR (ATEO.BR)

Atenor released better-than-expected 2008 earnings and cast caution for 2009. For more double click on [ATEO.BR]

NPM/CNP (NAT.BR)