ASIA Japan's markets closed today to mark labour and thanksgiving day holiday. U.S. Goldman Sachs - The investment bank is aiming at raising USD4-6bln for a new hedge fund that will focus on picking shares rather than using quantitative models. (FT) Boeing - The company said that KLM to add three 737-700s, two 777-300ERs, valued at USD 716 million, Air France KLM may buy 100 Boeing 787s. (BBG)** FTSE HSBC - Investor claims that HSBC mislead shareholders over bonus plan as senior executives are due to collect GBP 5.8mln. The QC led by Knight Vinke said the payouts should be withheld. (Times) Royal Dutch Shell - The company has bought back 500k 'A' shares for cancellation. (BBG)** RBS - The company has found a buyer for an GBP 800mln portfolio of 63 properties. However, the price is about 10% lower than originally expected. (FT) 3i - The company has backed out of Abbot Group bid talks. (S&P) Northern Rock - The lender is currently evaluating 8 serious bids and a shortlist is expected next week. Tyne Consortium has also submitted a proposal for the company. (DJ) Companies paying dividend today: Smiths Group (0.23500 GBP), Friends Provident (0.02700 GBP) CAC French banks are planning to develop a fund to buy securities backed by assets (Les Echoes) The banks are BNP Paribas, SocGen, Credit Agricole, Natixis and HSBC France. AXA - The insurer may bid for CNP Assurances although this is seen some months away. (BBG) Carrefour - The CEO has predicted a strong Q4. (Les Echoes) France Telecom - The company has received a licence for mobile services in Niger. (DJ) EADS - Airbus slashes R&D amid alarm over life threatening USD which may jeopardise the survival of the European planemaker. Airbus's entire business model has to be reviewed. (FT-frontpage) An Airbus executive said the value of orders were around USD 1.4bln) EUROSTOXX Iberdrola - Spanish regulator approves Iberdrola flotation of renewables unit. (RTRS)** DAX Siemens - The company is ready to increase its 34% stake in Areva NP's nuclear reactor arm, and is willing to spend several billions of euros. (S&P) Commerzbank - The company still wants to make an acquisition in Russia. (S&P) BROKER UPGRADES/DOWNGRADES HSBC RAISED TO `BUY' VS `ADD' AT DRESDNER ANGLO AMERICAN: HSBC UPGRADES TO OVERWEIGHT FROM NEUTRAL AVIVA: CITIGROUP UPGRADES TO BUY FROM HOLD The above commentary was provided by Real-time Analysis & News (R.A.N) Ltd (known to traders as âRansquawkâ) operates from 0630GMT until 2200GMT to incorporate full coverage of the US bond and equity futures markets. Currently R.A.N covers Bond, STIR and Index futures in the US, UK and Eurozone as well as NYMEX crude and Gold. Furthermore, R.A.N has a stand alone Forex service (Ransquawk FX) which covers all the major currency pairs. Coverage is based around the economic calendar for that day but the product finds its value looking at flows, rumours and breaking news and delivers that information to the customer via an internet âsquawk-boxâ. For more information and a 1-week free trial please email us at info@ransquawk.com