Recent data by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission indicated that hedge funds are the least bullish about their bets in gold despite strong US economic data.

According to a Bloomberg report, American mutual funds are looking to make European investments, betting that the region will just begin its rally and as the US bull market has already aged.

Newcastle-based tech firm Three Motion Media has invested GBP150,000 to set up a brand that will help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the healthcare sector gain access to high quality yet affordable training courses.

New Zealand-based express package services provider Freightways Limited has purchased two document destruction businesses, namely Sydney-based Advance Security Destruction Services and Hastings-based Docushred, for a total of USD13 million.

State-owned oil company Petroleos del Peru SA (Petroperu) is reviving plans to sell as much as 49% of its shares,according to Energy and Mines Minister Jorge Merino.

Brazil-based car parts supplier Autometal is looking for acquisition deals with midsize competitors as global car manufacturers are planning production in the South American country.

A Bloomberg report noted that China's massive CNY2.6 trillion or USD427 billion corporate debt is due next year, indicating a possibility that the country could default on its payments for the first time.

The second fund, which is run by former regional head of New York-based hedge fund Perry Capital LLC Alp Ercil, is targeting to raise USD1.1 billion to invest in distressed assets in Asia.

China's biggest e-commerce firm, Alibaba Group Holdings, will be buying stakes in Haier Electronics Group and Qingdao Haier Logistics Co, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Chinese state-owned firms are expected to lead the initial public offerings in the mainland next year after the lifting of the temporary ban on public share sales by the government, according to sources interviews by Bloomberg.