STOCKS NEWS US-Pfizer lines up 29 lenders for its Wyeth purchase

Stocks on the move [HOT-RTRS] Real-Time Equity news [U E]

U.S. stock market report [.N]
0719 ET 13March2009-Pfizer lines up 29 more lenders for its Wyeth purchase
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) on Thursday said it had lined up
29 additional lenders to provide all $22.5 billion in loans for its planned $68
billion acquisition of Wyeth WYE.N. Pfizer had previously secured five
lenders.

"We've achieved a significant milestone," a Pfizer spokeswoman said, adding
that the larger slate of lenders gave more security that the deal would be
completed, as none were loaning Pfizer more than $1.5 billion. [ID:nLD617034]

Shares of Pfizer slid 0.5 percent to $13.95 in premarket trade.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0717 ET 13March2009-Sara Lee may sell European unit: WSJ
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Food company Sara Lee (SLE.N) is considering a sale of its European
household and personal-care business, according to a report in the Wall Street
Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.

While it is unclear if any deal will occur, the company has hired Goldman
Sachs to sound out possible bidders for the unit, which could fetch more than
$2 billion, the paper said.

Colgate-Palmolive (CL.N) was mentioned as a possible bidder by the Journal.
[ID:nBNG131621]

Shares of Sara Lee closed Thursday at $7.27 while Colgate shares closed at
$56.51.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0709 ET 13March2009-Economic indicators for March 13
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Economic indicators on tap for Friday include February import and export
prices, weekly ECRI data, University of Michigan sentiment data for March, and
January U.S. international trade figures.

For details, see [ECI/US]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0700 ET 13March2009-Earnings diary for March 13
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Companies scheduled to report quarterly results on Friday include: AEP
Industries (AEPI.O), Piedmont Natural Gas (PNY.N), Furmanite Corp (FRM.N),
Hooper Holmes HH.N, Sun Communities (SUI.N) and Inhibitex (INHX.O).

For details, see [RESF/US]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net