Saint-Gobain buys U.S.-based GCP to grow in construction chemicals

French construction materials company Saint-Gobain (SGOB.PA) on Monday said it would buy GCP Applied Technologies (GCP.N) in a deal that values the U.S.-based specialty construction chemicals company at around $2.3 billion.
China says market views of monetary policy moves too ‘simplistic’

A Chinese newspaper run by the State Council, or cabinet, warned the market against “simplistic” interpretations of monetary policy moves as easing expectations gathered steam, suggesting China is not about to unleash a huge wave of credit in panic.
Beijing biotech firm banks on GM corn in race to be China’s Monsanto

As China prepares to open its $120 billion corn market to genetically modified (GM) seed, little-known Dabeinong Biotechnology hopes to reap the benefits of early biotech investments and a law keeping foreign firms on the sidelines.
London Stock Exchange acquires Quantile

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) said on Monday it had acquired Quantile Group to expand its range of post-trade risk management solutions.
Oil rebounds above $71 on Omicron hopes, Iran talks

Oil rose by more than $1 a barrel to above $71 on Monday as hopes that the Omicron coronavirus variant may cause mostly mild symptoms boosted riskier assets and as the prospect of an imminent rise in Iranian oil exports looked less likely.
Toshiba walked away from potential buyout talks and Brookfield offer -sources

Japan’s Toshiba Corp (6502.T) walked away from potential private equity buyout offers at a substantial premium, as well as advanced talks for a minority stake from Canada’s Brookfield, according to three people familiar with the matter.
China Evergrande braces for debt deadline after doubting ability to pay

After lurching from deadline to deadline, China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) is again on the brink of default, with pessimistic comments from the property developer raising expectations of direct state involvement and a managed debt restructuring.
Bitcoin below $50,000, at early October levels, after weekend’s battering

Bitcoin hovered around $49,000 on Monday, down 1.5% on the day, as traders nursed losses after a brutal weekend in which the price of the world’s largest digital asset at one point lost over one fifth of its value.
U.S. & European stock futures rise, oil bounces

U.S. and European stocks futures moved higher on Monday as Asian markets lagged, while bonds surrendered some of their recent gains and oil rallied as Saudi Arabia lifted its crude prices.
Google delays mandatory return to office beyond Jan. 10

Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google said on Thursday it is indefinitely pushing back its January return-to-office plan globally amid growing concerns over the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and some resistance to company-mandated vaccinations.