Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions

July 4 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals involving European, U.S. and Asian companies were reported by 0400 GMT on Friday.

(For Reuters columns on deals, click on [DEALTALK\]

** China Southern Fund Management Co said it has obtained regulatory approval to set up a venture with Hong Kong financial conglomerate Oriental Patron, becoming the first Chinese fund company to expand overseas. To read more, please double click on [nPEK66211]

** Australian gold miner Newcrest Mining Ltd (NCM.AX) said it would retain a 70 percent stake in the Cracow gold mine in northern Queensland state after a deal to sell it to a smaller rival collapsed. [nSYD18750]

** Bentley Pharmaceuticals Inc BNT.N said Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA.O) will now pay a reduced price of $14.82 per share for the company after adjusting the spin-off of its drug delivery business, CPEX Pharmaceuticals Inc (CPEX.O). [nWNAS0273]

** Origin Energy Ltd (ORG.AX), an Australian energy producer and retailer, advised shareholders to reject a $13.1 billion bid from British gas company BG Group (BG.L) and reiterated its coal seam gas reserves position. [nSYD21852] (Compiled by Tina Kwan in Singapore)