UPDATE 1-Teachers group wins C$52 bln race for BCE

(Reuters) - It said that was a 40 percent premium over what it called
the "undisturbed share price," or the price before BCE put
itself up for sale. BCE shares closed at C$40.34 on the Toronto
Stock Exchange on Friday.




"The all-cash transaction is valued at C$51.7 billion,
including C$16.9 billion of debt, preferred equity and minority
interests," BCE said, adding that it expected the deal to close
in the first quarter of next year.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

European Bonds Post Steepest Quarterly Drop in Eight Years Amid Inflation

(Bloomberg) -- European government bonds logged
their steepest quarterly decline in almost eight years, as
quickening economic growth and inflation increased the likelihood
the European Central Bank will increase interest rates further.

German bunds, Europe's benchmark, fell for a fourth month in
June, as the ECB raised its lending rate to the highest since
2001 and indicated further increases are needed to curb
inflation. ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet has said borrowing
costs remain low enough to stimulate expansion in the $10.4
trillion economy.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News