Catherine Badour

Equity Commonwealth (EQC.N), a U.S. real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on office space and chaired by property mogul Sam Zell, has approached Forest City Realty Trust Inc (FCEa.N) to discuss a possible merger, Reuters reported.

U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) is making preparations to reject rival Broadcom Ltd’s (AVGO.O) $103 billion bid as early as this week, four people familiar with the matter said on Sunday, setting the stage for one of the biggest-ever takeover battles, Reuters reported.

Tat Hong Holdings Ltd (TAT.SI), a Singapore-based supplier of cranes, said it had received a non-binding letter from Standard Chartered Private Equity (Singapore) proposing to buy shares in the company at S$0.50 apiece.

Global asset manager Blackstone Group LP (BX.N) has reached a deal to acquire China-based cosmetics packaging firm ShyaHsin Packaging (China) Co Ltd for about $800 million to $900 million, four people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Malaysia’s CIMB Group Holdings Bhd Chairman Nazir Razak, along with four prominent Southeast Asian business leaders, plan to start a regional private equity fund that will look to raise up to $1 billion, sources told Reuters.

Three partners focused on investing in European companies have left TPG in recent months, leaving just two at the U.S. buyout firm in Europe working on new private equity deals, sources told Reuters.

India’s Axis Bank Ltd said on Friday it will raise 116.26 billion rupees ($1.78 billion) by selling shares and convertible warrants to investors including Bain Capital and top Indian insurer Life Insurance Corp.

Private equity firm Carlyle Group LP is exploring a sale or initial public offering of Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Inc, a U.S. diagnostics company that could be valued at more than $7 billion, including debt, sources told Reuters.

Razer Inc, a gaming hardware maker backed by Intel Corp (INTC.O) and Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, has priced its initial public offering (IPO) near the top end of the range, raising HK$4.12 billion ($528 million), IFR reported on Tuesday.

The former chairman of fund manager Man GLG and the ex-president of Vornado Realty Trust are behind a buyout vehicle that will seek deals in the real estate and hospitality sectors, according to marketing materials seen by Reuters on Thursday.