IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Vodafone raises forecasts on growth

Vodafone Group Plc, the world's biggest provider of mobile-phone services, raised its sales and profit forecasts on accelerating growth in India and Turkey, as well as higher revenue from wireless Internet access in Europe.

BHP, Rio seek to win over investors

BHP Billiton Ltd, the largest mining company, will begin talks "imminently" to win over shareholders to its offer for Rio Tinto Group after failing to gain a meeting with the London-based company's board.

Firms strive to get closer

Nippon Steel Corp, the world's second-largest steelmaker, and South Korea's Posco are considering ways to expand their alliance as mills seek to cut soaring raw material and shipping costs.

Porsche shows there's a middle way on splits

Porsche AG, the maker of the 911 sports car, shows there's a middle ground between the typical company's approach to stock splits and the no-split-ever policy that Berkshire Hathaway Inc follows at Warren Buffett's behest.

Icahn hedge funds post first loss since inception

Billionaire Carl Icahn's activist hedge funds posted their first quarterly decline since they opened three years ago because of volatile markets and losses on stocks including WCI Communities Inc and Lear Corp.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Wal-Mart likely to feel pinch on cuts

Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's biggest retailer, may report its smallest profit increase in five quarters after Chief Executive Officer H. Lee Scott lowered prices to lure shoppers squeezed by rising gasoline costs and mortgage payments.

Indian output growth slows

India's industrial production grew at the slowest pace in 11 months in September as decade-high interest rates crimped consumer demand and a stronger currency made exports less competitive.

Hershey may rise on axing directors

Hershey Co, the US chocolate maker whose chief executive officer resigned last month, may rise in New York trading after the trust that controls the majority of its shares replaced eight of 11 company board members.