Daily Highlights: 12.14.09

• Asian markets rebounded Monday after Dubai received $10B in financing from Abu Dhabi.
• China launches landmark natural gas pipeline tapping into Central Asia's vast reserves.
• Dubai gets $10B in financing from Abu Dhabi, part to be used to pay down Dubai World debt.
• Euro gains after Dubai gets $10 billion of aid from Abu Dhabi.
• France's Sarkozy to unveil details of euro35B plan to spur investment in universities.
• Germany's budget sees a record of $125B in new borrowing next year, spending rise of 10.5%.
• Iraq's Halfaya oil field, with reserves est. at 4.1 billion, awarded to CNOOC, Petronas and Total.
• Japan Tankan sentiment rises at slower pace as Yen's gains threaten profit.
• New legislation to give US govt new powers to break up companies that threaten the economy.
• Oil falls to near $69 in Asia as OPEC doesn't plan output cut at meeting next week.
• Production, Housing starts in US probably climbed as economy picked up: Bloomberg Survey.
• UK housing market recovery will peter out in 2010 on forced sales: Rightmove Plc.
• US govt sells its warrants to purchase common stock in JP Morgan for $936.1M.
• AOL in talks to sell its ICQ instant-messaging service to Russia's Digital Sky Technologies.
• Apple Inc. says it is countersuing Nokia Corp., defending its cellphone technologies.
• AXA Asia Pacific will consider a $11.72B sweetened buyout proposal from its parent and AMP.
• Beijing Automotive reaches tentative deal to acquire certain assets of GM's Saab unit.
• Cadbury says rivals emerge to Kraft bid, lifts goals.
• Citigroup said to near accord on $20B TARP payment, US stake sale.
• Citigroup sued by Terra Firma Capital for alleged fraud in EMI acquisition .
• Clear Channel Comm's revs declines eases; fell 8% in Nov vs. -19% in Oct.
• ExpressJet Airlines' November traffic rises 13% in November from a year earlier.
• Fairfield Residential LLC, a large apartment owner and developer, filed for bankruptcy.
• Google has designed a cellphone - Nexus One, that it plans to sell directly to consumers.
• Toyota plans to start selling plug-in hybrid vehicles to consumers in 2011 at low price.
• Vodafone open to selling its 4.4% indirect stake in Bharti Airtel, may list Vodafone Essar.
• Woodside Petroleum Ltd. to sell $2.3B of stock to expand Australia's Pluto project.

Earnings Calendar: ALCO, SMTS, TTWO, PAY

Companies to watch: AOL, Apple, Cadbury PLC, ExpressJet, Global Crossing, P&G, Take-Two Interactive.

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Data provided by Egan-Jones Ratings and Analytics