VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Japan's Fast Retailing Co. is planning a secondary public offering in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange next year. If successful, the Tokyo-listed retail holding company would become the third Japanese company to list in Hong Kong.

Spanish multinational oil firm CEPSA bought Canadian Coastal Energy Co. for CAD2.3 billion (USD2.21 million) including debt. CEPSA will pay CAD19 per Coastal Energy share in cash.

Spain's largest media firm Promotora de Informaciones or Prisa was close to reaching a refinancing agreement with its creditors for its EUR more than 3 billion debt, sources told Bloomberg.

American investment firm Apollo Global Management LLC raised USD3.9 billion to buy distressed European assets. Specifically, the private equity firm is hunting for hotels and resorts in Spain.

Mexico-based food conglomerate Sigma Alimentos announced it plan to take over Spain's meat processing company Campofrio after it agreed to buy 40% of of the Spanish company from its current shareholders.

London-based Armajaro Holdings Ltd sold its coffee, cocoa, and sugar trading arm to Swiss agricultural trader Ecom Agroindustrial Corp Ltd after reporting a loss of USD7.5 million.

Basel-based Novartis AG sold its California blood unit to Spain's Grifol's SA for USD1.68 billion.

Some say the Euro is overvalued while others claim it is not.

In a move to comply with local regulations as well as economic slowdown in China, BBVA would be able to sell off some of its shares in CITIC.

After its review under the Global Financial Stability Report study, Italy, Spain and Portugal stand to be financially distressed because of their exposure to possible loan defaults from corporations.

Spain's Bankia had been in exclusive discussions with brokerage GVC to sell its own brokerage unit valued between EUR20 million and EUR40 million, said sources.

The higher interest rates imposed on small businesses hurt the Spanish recovery program.

Spain's El Corte Ingles said on Monday that it has reached an agreement with banks to refinance its EUR5 billion debt.

Spain may seriously consider taking their Gibraltar dispute with Britain to the United Nations for support on the issue.

The EU approves the joint venture to create a new mobile commerce venture in Spain.