(Adds company news, futures, updates snapshot)
PARIS, Oct 4 (Reuters) - European stocks were expected to fall on Thursday,
snapping a three-day winning run, as investors turn cautious ahead of interest
rate decisions by the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, and key
U.S. jobs figures due on Friday.
An analyst said the market would pay more attention to the phrasing of the
ECB's statement than the rate decision itself. "'Vigilance' or 'monitor the
situation closely'. The former suggests that an interest rate increase is
imminent while the latter suggests a more neutral stance.
By 0629 GMT, September DAX futures FDXU7 were down 0.2 percent, while CAC
40 futures FCEU7 were down 0.3 percent. September FTSE 100 futures FFIU7
were indicated down 0.7 percent.
On Wednesday, the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index gained 0.2
percent to close at 1,570.95, as banks added to their recent gains after
Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) provided more clarity on its exposure to the credit
crisis.
----------------------MARKET SNAPSHOT AT 0629 GMT----------------------
LAST PCT CHG NET CHG
S&P 500 .SPX 1,539.59 -0.46 % -7.04
NIKKEI .N225 17,092.49 -0.62 % -107.4
MSCI ASIA EX-JP .MIASJ0000PUS 625.79 -1.36 % -8.64
EUR/USD EUR= 1.4094 0.04 % 0.0005
USD/JPY JPY= 116.57 -0.10 % -0.1200
10-YR US TSY YLD US10YT=RR 4.559 -- 0.00
10-YR BUND YLD EU10YT=RR 4.334 -- 0.00
SPOT GOLD XAU= $725.80 -0.19 % -$1.40
BRENT CRUDE LCOc1 $76.80 0.00 % -$0.4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* U.S. stocks hit by tech sell-off, job data fears [nN03263785]
* Asian stocks fall, led by chip makers, gold down [nSP16053]
* Nikkei down as Advantest, techs slide; banks up [nT224668]
* Bonds fall as data hint inflation still lurks [nL0463432]
* Dollar steadies vs euro ahead of ECB, yen up [nT178187]
* U.S. Congress calls for 'mortgage czar' [nL03905669]
* Oil prices eased for a fifth day on Thurs [nT292720 ]
* Gold softer in early Europe [nL04267449]
COMPANY NEWS
ABN AMRO AAH.AS, FORTIS (FOR.BR) (FOR.AS), RBS (RBS.L), BARCLAYS (BARC.L)
Belgian-Dutch financial services group Fortis wins conditional clearance
from the European Commission for its proposed acquisition of parts of Dutch peer
ABN AMRO. Separately, the competing takeover offer from Britain's Barclays ends
today at 1300 GMT.
For more double click on: [AAH.AS-LEN-RTRS]
BP (BP.L)
BP is set to cut jobs in Asia, an industry source said, as the oil giant
braces for weak third-quarter results. Separately, the company announced it
would seek binding commitments from crude oil shippers to proceed with its
planned reversal of its Cushing, Oklahoma to Chicago crude oil pipeline.
For more on this, double click on: [ID:nL0345508] [ID:nN03241725]
IBERIA (IBLA.MC), BRITISH AIRWAYS (BAY.L)
Private equity firm TPG would take a 45 percent stake in the carrier under
plans for an expected 3.4 billion euro ($4.82 billion) bid, while British
Airways would hold 15 percent -- 5 percent more than today -- and three Spanish
funds would hold 40 percent, Cinco Dias quoted sources close to the deal as
saying.
For more on this, double click on: [IBLA.MC]
ABBOT ABTG.L 3i (III.L)
Private equity group 3i is interested in making a 870 million pounds ($1.78
billion) takeover offer for UK-based oil rig operator Abbot, the Financial Times
said.
For more on this, double click on: [ABTG.L-LEN-RTRS]
DAIMLER (DAIGn.DE)
The merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler in 1998 will officially fade into
history's rear-view mirror today if shareholders approve changing the German
carmaker's name to Daimler AG (DAIGn.DE). Click on [ID:nL03360972]
Separately, the company said its Mercedes Car Group division achieved a 7.4
percent rise in sales in September to a record 124,600 vehicles, boosted by the
new C-Class sedan. [ID:L04230883]
NORTHERN ROCK NRK.L
Citigroup is ready to provide well over 5 billion pounds in financing to
ease the way for a takeover of Northern Rock, the Times said.
It is understood that at least four serious bidders remain in the auction of
the troubled Newcastle-based bank, including JC Flowers and Cerberus, the
newspaper said.
VOLVO (VOLVb.ST)
Volvo, the world's No. 2 truckmaker, was leading the race to buy a majority
stake in India's Eicher Motors (EICH.BO), the Hindustan Times reported on
Thursday, citing unnamed sources.
For more on this, double click on: [nBOM321107]
TELEFONICA (TEF.MC)
O2 UK, owned by telecoms group Telefonica, and U.S. consumer electronics
group Apple (AAPL.O) plan to launch a multi-million pound joint advertising
campaign later this month as they get ready to bring iPhone mobile phones to
Britain.
For more on this, double click on: [nL04510590]
REUTERS GROUP RTR.L
Thomson Corp TOC.TO TOC.N said on Wednesday it expects the European
Union to give it an update next week on the company's bid to buy Reuters Group
Plc RTR.L for $17.6 billion.
For more on this, double click on: [nN03335672]
VODAFONE (VOD.L)
Verizon Wireless, the No.2 U.S. mobile service, plans to offer new options
for customers who pay for calls in advance and the company will send advertising
alerts to subscribers who ask for the information, its marketing chief said.
Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon Communications (VZ.N)
and Vodafone.
For more, double click on [ID:nN03234645]
MEDIOLANUM (MED.MI), INTESA SANPAOLO (ISP.MI)
Italian mutual funds suffered an outflow of 6.56 billion euros ($9.3
billion) in September, according to figures released by Italy's fund management
association Assogestioni on Wednesday.
For a story, double click on [nMAT007309]
TELECOM ITALIA (TLIT.MI)
The European Union's 27 national regulators backed on Wednesday
controversial plans by the bloc's telecoms chief to make it easier for them to
impose a separation of the network and service divisions of telecommunications
operators.
For a story, double click on [nL03250369]
PERNOD RICARD (PERP.PA)
The drinks group said it will ask a shareholders meeting next month to raise
the limit on its fund raising possibilities amid speculation it will soon bid
for Swedish drinks group Vin & Sprit. For story, see [ID:nL0382497].
(Additional reporting by Peter Starck in Frankfurt)
