French and Benelux stocks - Factors to watch on April 8

PARIS, April 8 (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.

PERNOD RICARD (PERP.PA)

Italy's Davide Campari (CPRI.MI) has agreed to buy the Wild Turkey bourbon whiskey brand from France's Pernod Ricard for $575 million in its largest acquisition to date aimed at boosting its U.S. presence. [ID:L8311024]

ORPEA (ORP.PA)

The nursery care group reported a 17.5 percent rise in its net income to 48.4 million euros on sales up 29 percent at 702.3 million. It reiterated a forecast of sales of 820 million for 2009 and more than 1 billion euros in 2011, with rising cash flow and results.

FRANCE TELECOM (FTE.PA)

France Telecom will not improve its offer for the remainder of Egypt's ECMS (EMOB.CA) after Egyptian market authorities rejected it, deputy Chief Executive Jean-Yves Larrouturou told Reuters on Tuesday. [ID:nL7161299]

Orascom Telecom's chairman said on Tuesday that OT (ORTE.CA) would prefer to retain its stake in Mobinil after a court ruled that it should sell its shares to France Telecom, a partner in the Egyptian mobile firm. [nL75863]

SANOFI-AVENTIS (SASY.PA)

Shares of Biogen Idec Inc (BIIB.O) were nearly 5 percent higher on Tuesday amid stock market speculation the biotechnology company could be a takeover target, traders said. Traders in Europe said there were rumours that Sanofi-Aventis could bid at least $75 a share for Biogen. The French drugmaker could not be immediately reached for comment. [ID:nN07362325]

EDF ENERGIES NOUVELLES (EEN.PA)

Silicium de Provence, in which EDF Energies Nouvelles holds a minority interest of 12.8 percent, has been placed under administration, EDF Energies said. [EEN.PA]

ALSTOM (ALSO.PA)

Alstom said it signed a contract worth 160 million euros with Polish energy group PGE to modernise the Betchatow power plant. [ALSO.PA]

GECINA (GFCP.PA)

Gecina, the French affiliate of Spain's Metrovacesa (MVC.MC), has voted to scrap a plan to sever ties with the Spanish company, the Paris-listed investor said on Tuesday. Confirming an earlier source-based story on Reuters, Gecina said it had voted against a proposed split, which some analysts described as financially unattractive for the company following a sharp drop in its net asset value. [ID:nNL7190455]

FORTIS (FOR.BR), BNP PARIBAS (BNPP.PA)

A lawyer representing Fortis shareholders seeks to let the stricken Dutch-Belgian group's investors vote on an alternative to the planned sale of assets to France's BNP Paribas. [ID:nL7249177]

CMB (CMB.BR)

Belgian shipping company says its Bocimar International unit has sold a vessel for $42 million and sees a capital gain of $15.6 million. [CMB.BR]

ELIA (ELI.BR)

Belgian power grid operator confirms issued 1 billion euro dual-tranche eurobond. [ELI.BR]

CORIO (COR.AS)

The Dutch property group acquired the Tekira shopping centre in Turkey for 67.6 million euros ($91.9 million), which will contribute to rental earnings from March. [COR.AS]

TNT (TNT.AS)

The Dutch postal company will holds its annual general meeting. [TNT.AS]