Deals of the Hour

Trying to find out what's the deal with the world, tracking what's on sale and who's talking about it on Twitter. Update hourly.

Deals of the Hour / November 16, 2010, 2:41 am

AXA Asia Pacific Board Split on AMP Bid

SYDNEY—The 13 billion Australian dollar (US$12.8 billion) bid for AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd. hit a possible stumbling block Tuesday when the target's board failed to reach a unanimous agreement on the offer. AXA Asia Pacific said five of its six ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-11-16T02:35:57Z)

Walmart expands Black Friday hours, deals

NEW YORK - Walmart plans to open most of its stores at midnight the day after Thanksgiving, the company said Monday, becoming the latest in a series of retailers to expand hours to lure in shoppers who want to get a head-start on holiday bargain shopping ... (Source: AZCentral.com 2010-11-15T20:23:44Z)

Millions Of Muslims Gather For Annual Hajj Pilgrimage

MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia (November 15, 2010)--Nearly 3 million Muslims gathered for the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia were making their way up a rocky desert hill Monday, chanting they have come to answer God's call. The white-robed pilgrims ... (Source: KWTX 2010-11-15T17:10:27Z)

Loehmann's Holdings Files Bankruptcy With Restructuring Deal

Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Loehmann's Holdings Inc., the seller of discounted designer goods, negotiated a restructuring plan with owner Istithmar Retail Investments and noteholder Whippoorwill Associates Inc. before filing for bankruptcy. Loehmann's ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-11-16T02:21:38Z)

Blackstone Confirms $4.50-a-Share Dynegy Offer Price

(Updates with Icahn filing in fifth paragraph and JPMorgan note in 10th.) Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Blackstone Group LP said it isn't raising its $540 million, or $4.50-a-share, agreement to buy Dynegy Inc. in response to opposition from the company's two ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-11-15T21:06:41Z)

Israel Weighs U.S.-Backed Settlement Freeze

The Israeli Cabinet is considering a U.S. offer of incentives aimed at reviving Mideast peace talks. The Obama administration has offered military hardware and political backing in exchange for a new 90-day moratorium on Israeli settlement building in the ... (Source: NPR News 2010-11-16T05:42:04Z)

U.S. deal would allow Israel some West Bank building

Jerusalem — Israel would be allowed to finish hundreds of homes already under construction in West Bank settlements even if it agrees to a U.S.-drafted deal to renew a freeze on new construction, a diplomat familiar with the details said today. The U.S ... (Source: Detroit News 2010-11-16T04:51:58Z)

Wal-Mart expands Black Friday hours, unveils deals

Wal-Mart plans to open most of its stores at midnight the day after Thanksgiving, the company said Monday, becoming the latest in a series of retailers to expand hours to lure in shoppers who want to get a head-start on holiday bargain shopping. The world ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-11-15T14:54:27Z)

Will Israel Accept America's Offer?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to convince his right-wing coalition to support a 90-day settlement construction freeze in exchange for security incentives. The Israeli security cabinet would have to give final approval. A vote could ... (Source: FOXNews (blog) 2010-11-16T07:22:17Z)

Muslims ascend holy mount, Eid al-Adha begins

Crowds head to Muzdalifa site in the evening, where they collect pebbles to use in the symbolic stoning of the devil the next day. MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia— Nearly 3 million Muslims performing the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia climbed the ... (Source: Jerusalem Post 2010-11-15T19:40:47Z)

Wall Street advances on deals, upbeat data

NEW YORK — Stocks rose Monday following a spike in corporate dealmaking and news that retail sales jumped to the highest level in seven months in October. Consumer spending rose 1.2 percent last month thanks to higher demand for automobiles, the ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-11-15T20:16:34Z)

U.S. stocks lifted by retail sales, Caterpillar deal

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — U.S. stocks on Monday climbed for the first session in three after retail sales for October proved better than expected and equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. made a big move on the M&A front. "Retail sales were decent, and talk ... (Source: Marketwatch 2010-11-15T17:46:15Z)

Axa Asia Chairman, Directors Recommend Axa SA, AMP Bid

(Updates with comment from Axa Asia Pacific Chairman in third paragraph.) Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Axa Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd.'s chairman and majority of directors have recommended investors accept a sweetened takeover offer of at least A$13.3 billion ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-11-15T23:22:41Z)

Gangs buy disused jets for cocaine flights

NEW YORK – Drug smugglers are buying disused airliners to fly massive amounts of cocaine across the Atlantic. US government investigators said South American gangs had struck deals to fly drugs to West Africa and from there to Europe. One trafficker ... (Source: Irish Times 2010-11-16T00:27:07Z)

AMP Bids for AXA Asia

SYDNEY—AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd. is considering a new takeover proposal from French parent AXA SA and AMP Ltd. that may conclude a year-long battle for the wealth manager. A deal would be a coup for AMP, whose previous bid was rejected by the target ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-11-15T13:14:14Z)

Flying high: Gangs buy aging jets, airfreight tons of cocaine across Atlantic

At least three gangs have struck deals to fly drugs to West Africa and from there to Europe, according to U.S. indictments. "The sky's the limit," one Sierra Leone trafficker boasted to a Drug Enforcement Administration informant, according to court ... (Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer 2010-11-15T23:22:41Z)

Christmas deals start early

MINNEAPOLIS -- The snow may have just started falling, but already, the Christmas shopping season is in full swing. Experts say retailers are rolling out the deals early this year to meet customer demand for bargains and a good shopping environment. "I ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-11-15T00:42:37Z)

After criticism by Christie, superintendent loses raise

A New Jersey school superintendent singled out by the governor as "the new poster boy for all that is wrong with the public school system that's being dictated by greed" was denied a raise Monday. Gov. Christie singled out Parsippany-Troy Hills ... (Source: Philadelphia Daily News 2010-11-16T07:58:05Z)

Muslims on hajj in Saudi Arabia ascend holy mount

MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia -- Nearly 3 million Muslims performing the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia climbed the rocky desert Mount Arafat on Monday, chanting that they have come to answer God's call. The white-robed pilgrims began their ascent at ... (Source: Washington Post 2010-11-16T05:06:17Z)

Discount retailer Loehmann's files for bankruptcy

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - U.S. discount retailer Loehmann's is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after its Dubai government-linked owner failed to reach a debt-extension deal with creditors. Loehmann's says the Chapter 11 filing Monday in the U.S ... (Source: Philadelphia Daily News 2010-11-16T01:17:13Z)

Discount retailer Loehmann's files for bankruptcy

U.S. discount retailer Loehmann's is filing for bankruptcy after its Dubai government-linked owner failed to reach a debt-extension deal with creditors. Loehmann's says the filing Monday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York is ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-11-15T22:32:35Z)

Dynegy responds to opposition to Blackstone deal

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Dynegy Inc. said Monday a proposal to take the company private by a buyout firm would protect shareholders from "substantial continuing risk" to commodity prices. The Houston electricity producer sent a letter to its stockholders in ... (Source: KABC 2010-11-15T19:55:06Z)

Black Friday: How to Handle the Best Christmas Shopping Day If You Don't like Friday

Black Friday, the day after Christmas, is known for some great deals, large crowds and early mornings. With a little planning, anyone can take advantage of the bargains offered this year on Black Friday. The good news is that it isn't really the busiest ... (Source: Associated Content 2010-11-16T05:20:36Z)

Dynegy, Blackstone Defend Deal Against Activist Shareholders

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Dynegy Inc.'s (DYN) board of directors reaffirmed its support for the buyout offer from Blackstone Group L.P. (BX) Monday, saying that Carl Icahn's credit offer doesn't resolve the power company's liquidity issues. Blackstone also ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-11-15T13:42:52Z)

Wal-Mart's Black Friday 2010 ad: Electronics top deals

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Wal-Mart's highly awaited Black Friday ad promises hot deals on high-definition TVs, Blu-ray players, laptops and holiday gift favorites such as toys and DVDs, according to a copy of the retailer's circular obtained by CNNMoney ... (Source: CNN Money 2010-11-15T14:32:58Z)

Strong retail sales, Caterpillar deal drive up Dow

NEW YORK — Stocks closed mixed Monday despite a spike in corporate dealmaking and news that retail sales jumped to the highest level in seven months in October. Consumer spending rose 1.2% last month thanks to higher demand for automobiles, the Commerce ... (Source: USA Today 2010-11-15T21:28:09Z)

Druglord high-flyers use jets to haul coke

NEW YORK: US investigators are investigating an audacious new trend in drug smuggling: South American gangs are buying old jets, stuffing them full of cocaine and flying them across the Atlantic to feed Europe's growing coke habit. Three gangs have struck ... (Source: Cape Times 2010-11-16T07:43:46Z)

Fans cheer as Christie stops end run on salary

A New Jersey school superintendent singled out by the governor as "the new poster boy for all that is wrong with the public-school system that's being dictated by greed" was denied a raise yesterday. Gov. Chris Christie singled out Parsippany-Troy Hills ... (Source: Philadelphia Daily News 2010-11-16T07:58:05Z)

Wal-Mart to open most stores at midnight on Black Friday, plans $298 laptop, $198 TV deal

NEW YORK - Wal-Mart plans to open most of its stores at midnight on Thanksgiving night, the company said Monday, becoming the latest in a series of retailers to expand hours to lure in shoppers who want to get a head-start on holiday bargain shopping. The ... (Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune 2010-11-15T14:47:17Z)

State freezes new deals for school chiefs

The Christie administration said Monday that no new contracts with school superintendents will be approved until a comprehensive review of all superintendent pay deals is complete. The acting education commissioner, Rochelle Hendricks, ordered county ... (Source: NorthJersey.com 2010-11-16T06:53:39Z)

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