COMPANIES

• Shishir's Bajaj Auto stake on the block
• Bilt to close Orissa paper unit
• Weak IPR laws pose hurdle to product launches: Eli Lilly
• Bharat Biotech set to launch typhoid vaccine in January ’03
• Biotech sector needs global attention to tap its potential
• Centre raps Maharashtra for delay in signing tripartite power agreement
• Nature Essence plans direct selling
• Essar Power prepays Rs 37-cr loan to UTI
• Legato bags HECL order
• Cintec Intl keen on Indian operations
• Hamdard bags PHDCCI brand equity award
• Corporate governance rating won't be made mandatory now
• Escorts ties up with Sentec for injection systems
• Madura Garments to tap fashion accessories
• Polaris sees steady growth at 5-8% post-merger
• Skoda to roll out Superb by June '03
• RIL to hike refinery capacity by 22%, pump in Rs 1,500 crore
• HM gears up to cash in on engine demand
• Dr Morepen to invest Rs 12 crore in health stores
• Ispat puts Dolvi steel project on the fast track
• Proagro blames govt for delay in GM mustard nod
• Cost reductions help Essar cut power tariffs

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

• UN trade chief slams US over WTO tariff plan
• US auto sales slip 13% in November
• Hitachi launches less costly data storage system
• Vivendi snares control of Cegetel
• SingTel wins S$350 mn in corporate contracts
• H-P pushes ahead with cost cuts
• Wall St brokerage firms fined for not keeping e-mails
• Meet on implementation issues begins today

GENERAL

• 5.5% GDP growth within reach, say economists
• FDI in print media could result in more transparency
• Red carpet welcome for Putin
• Food & Drink Fair begins today
• Decks clear for quick disposal of bounced-cheque cases
• `Mounting fiscal deficit a worry'

BANKING AND FINANCE

• Parliament nod for UTI’s bifurcation
• RBI worried over revenue shortfalls, not fiscal deficit
• ABN Amro Bank chips in for wildlife conservation
• BPCL, Ashok Leyland Fin team up for ‘affinity card’
• ‘Higher FDI may hinder listing of insurance JVs’
• Irda against banks broking insurance products for now
• Another VRS for banks under study
• ICICI Bank slaps notice on JK co
• PSU insurers await Govt nod to implement VRS
• IOB to open more ATMs in Hyderabad
• Bank Muscat's loan scheme for two-wheelers
• KNNL to raise Rs 225 crore more by March-end
• UCO, Allahabad banks revise rates

CAPITAL MARKET

• Sensex likely to remain subdued
• Dow slips 120 points at close
• Bears dominate Tuesday's market
• FII selling weakens Hero Honda
• Kochi Refineries, GAIL tumble on disinvestment doubts
• BSE warning on bogus deals
• SEBI for cut in derivatives' contract size
• Kolkata cops to oppose KP bail
• Sebi to give its view soon on Grasim investments in L&T
• Mid-term review, profit-bookings mar sentiment
• Re strengthens; gilts up