IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Customer data lost

HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe's biggest bank, said a disk with personal information from 370,000 insurance customers has been lost in the mail.

The disk, sent unregistered to Swiss Reinsurance Co, contained password-protected details including customers' names, life-insurance cover levels, birthdates and smoking status, London-based spokesman James Thorpe said. It didn't contain clients' financial details or addresses, he said.

Deal with Icahn

Motorola Inc, the biggest US mobile-phone maker, reached an agreement with billionaire investor Carl Icahn on nominating new directors to the board.

The nominees include Keith Meister, a managing director of the Icahn investment funds, according to a statement yesterday. He has been appointed to serve on the board effective immediately, the parties said.

Takeover agreed

Kinetic Concepts Inc, the maker of wound-care products, agreed to buy LifeCell Corp for $1.7 billion cash.

The $51-a-share price exceeds LifeCell's close on Friday by 18 percent. LifeCell, maker of tissue regeneration products, will operate as a division of Kinetic Concepts , the companies said.

Moss Bros gains

Moss Bros Group Plc climbed to the highest in more than six months in London trading after the Sunday Times reported that department store chain Debenhams Plc held informal takeover talks with the UK men's wear retailer.

Moss Bros, which has already received a 42 pence-a-share approach from Baugur Group Hf, rose 3.5 pence, or 7.5 percent, to 50.25 pence at 10 am in London, the day's peak.

Agencies

(China Daily 04/08/2008 page17)