Hitchcock

Telefónica to increase stake in China Netcom

The parent company of O2 plans to invest heavily to improve its foothold in the fast-growing Chinese telecoms industry

Coca-Cola reveals taste for Chinese juice

US group step up plans for soft-drinks dominance in Asia by making a $2.5bn (£1.4bn) takeover offer for China Huiyuan

Tokyo Mitsubishi 'interested in' Lehman

Japan's biggest megabank and a consortium involving HSBC are among those said to be circling the troubled US firm

As sterling sinks, so prices rise further

Non-food prices may rise 6 per cent as inflationary pressures caused by the falling pound hit retailers' margins

Indian protesters bring Nano factory to a halt

Tens of thousands vent anger over claims that 400 acres were illegally taken from small farmers and then sold to Tata

Chinese disease stalks Florida oranges

The Sunshine State is one of the foreclosure capitals of America and now its citrus industry is fighting for survival

ONGC pips Sinopec in race for Imperial

London-listed oil explorer has recommended acceptance of the Indians' £1.4 billion takeover bid, worth £12.50 a share

Rio Tinto expects post-Olympic Chinese boom

The world's second-largest mining group expects China's growth to remain strong despite a hiatus over the past month

Money has stopped growing on trees: Leo Lewis on Asia

The view from the palm oil plantation veranda is less than cheerful as China and India put brakes on consumption

Rio Tinto continues to ride commodities boom

World's second largest miner expects prices to remain high but investors express doubts sending shares lower

ICBC becomes world's most profitable bank

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China topples HSBC as it takes the top slot among the world's most successful banks

Old Mutual pays €165m for Chinese fund stake

Fortis sells 49 per cent stake in Chinese fund management company to insurer that wants to expand in Asia

Economic fears mutes South China train rush

Shares of the country's largest train maker jump 17% but darkening economic clouds mute enthusiasm for the new issue

Bank becomes world's most profitable

The Industrial & Commercial Bank of China has overtaken its biggest rivals with a 57% rise in profit

MPC's Besley warns on 'inflationary' pay deals

The most hardline member of the rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee says rates will only fall if pay does not rise

Leo Lewis on Asia: Michelin comes to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is to have a Michelin Guide, but the gastrononmic honour has been a herald of economic gloom for other cities

China faces economic reckoning

The Olympics have cost about $50bn to stage, but what impact they will have on the Chinese economy is open to doubt

Leo Lewis on Asia: Macau takes on Las Vegas

Despite crude overlaps with Vegas, everything from the clientele to the popularity of the games is different in Macau

Business in brief: Goldman Sachs, US trade deficit, Asian growth, JP Morgan

Apax close to sovereign wealth fund deal

One of Britain's biggest buyout groups is near to clinching a deal to sell 10 per cent of itself to sovereign wealth funds