News Highlights: Top Equities Stories Of The Day

YAMAHA MOTOR FALLS INTO RED IN JULY-SEPTEMBER, KEEPS FISCAL YEAR FORECAST Yamaha Motor Co. said Wednesday that it fell into the red in the July-September quarter, plagued by sluggish demand for motorcycles and boat-related products as well as reduced production to lower its inventories. (published 0308 GMT) =UPDATE: AIRBUS AIMS TO MAINTAIN DELIVERIES IN 2010 Airbus hopes to deliver a similar number of aircraft in 2010 as it does this year amid a gradual recovery in the global aviation industry that has started now and will reach its completion in 2011, an executive with the company said Wednesday. (published 0350 GMT) =2ND UPDATE: WESTPAC CALLS TOP OF BAD DEBT CYCLE AS PROFIT FALLS Westpac Banking Corp. said Wednesday that its full year earnings were lower on year, weighed down by rising bad debts and other one-time items, but the group expects that bad debts may be at their peak. (published 2343 GMT) =UPDATE: TELSTRA SAYS BREAKUP COULD COST UP TO A$1.2B Telstra Corp. said Wednesday it is being "very firm" in negotiations with the Australian government over its proposed broadband network, warning a functional breakup of the company could cost as much as A$1.2 billion. (published 0254 GMT) =3RD UPDATE: FONTERRA MILK POWDER PRICES UP 13.7% IN AUCTION Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd. said Wednesday that international dairy prices rose in November from October to a 13-month high, lending further support to New Zealand's fledgling economic recovery and reinforcing the view the dairy giant may increase its forecast payout to farmers. (published 0249 GMT) San Miguel: Reviewing Option To Buy 50.1% Of Petron >SMCB.PH San Miguel Corp. (SMCB.PH), a Philippine food and beverage conglomerate that is diversifying into other businesses, said Wednesday that it is reviewing its option to buy a majority stake in Petron Corp. (PCOR.PH) due to losses that the oil refiner expects as a result of a price control on oil prices. (published 0315 GMT) TSMC: FIRM WINS SUIT AGAINST SMIC ON PATENT, TRADE SECRETS USE Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. won a lawsuit against China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. on patents and trade secret infringement, TSMC spokesman J.H. Tzeng said Wednesday. (published 0105 GMT) SK E&C GETS $2.1B OIL REFINING FACILITY ORDER IN UAE SK E&C said Wednesday it has received a $2.1 billion order to build an oil refining facility in United Arab Emirates. (published 0140 GMT) WSJ(11/4) China Backs Disney Shanghai Walt Disney Co. disclosed it has received the go-ahead from China's central government to pursue a plan to build a theme park in Shanghai. (published 0356 GMT) TCL COMMUNICATION PLANS TO RAISE AT LEAST HK$357.5 MLN FROM RIGHTS ISSUE TCL Communication Technology Holdings Ltd. said Tuesday it plans to raise at least HK$357.5 million in a one-for-two rights issue to upgrade and expand existing productions. (published 0124 GMT) MINGFA GROUP SEEKS US$336 MLN IN HK IPO; TO LIST NOV 13 - SOURCE Chinese developer Mingfa Group Co. has cut the size of its Hong Kong initial public offering to US$336 million from US$440 million and delayed the listing date until Nov. 13, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday. (published 0149 GMT) QUICKSTEP SHARES SOAR ON POSSIBLE STRIKE FIGHTER CONTRACTS Shares in high-tech manufacturer Quickstep Holdings Ltd. jumped as much as 70% Wednesday after the firm said it has signed an agreement that could see it win more than A$700 million worth of long-term contracts to supply components for the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. (published 0017 GMT) SUNING APPLIANCE TRADE HALTED ON REGULATOR REVIEW OF PLACEMENT PLAN Consumer electronics retailer Suning Appliance Co. said its shares will be suspended from trading on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Wednesday while the securities regulator reviews its private placement plan. (published 2357 GMT) =INTERVIEW:DAIDO LIFE TO STAY CAUTIOUS AS ECONOMIC GLOOM CONTINUES Daido Life Insurance Co. plans to boost its holdings of yen-denominated bonds in the fiscal second half started Oct. 1 and intends to keep its cautious stance against buying riskier assets as the current malaise in the global economy shows no signs of stopping. (published 0036 GMT) AV CONCEPT SELLS 10% STAKE TO RICHARD LI, OTHERS FOR HK$31.1 MLN Light tubes and electronic parts maker AV Concept Holdings Ltd. said Tuesday it agreed to sell a 10% stake to a consortium that includes Richard Li, chairman of PCCW Ltd., for HK$31.1 million. (published 0118 GMT)