Pioneer also said Honda would take a 6.5 percent stake in itfor 2.5 billion yen, and that it aimed to return to profit in twoyears. [ID:nT92843] Shinsei Bank (8303.T) and Aozora Bank (8304.T) fell afterdomestic media reported that their merger talks faced a hurdle asthey were unable to gain consent from their top shareholders.[ID:nT145835] Shinsei shed 5.8 percent to 129 yen and Aozora lost 6.1percent to 124 yen. Trade was moderate on the Tokyo exchange’s first section,with 2.5 billion shares changing hands, in line with last week’sdaily average. Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones by nearly 6 to 1. (Editing by Michael Watson) Stocks Asian Markets Global Markets Japan. Reuters has stopped distributing the full text of Moody’sInvestors Service press releases on ratings actions, effectiveApril 1, 2009. The text of this Moody’s Investor Service ratingis available at .

BANGKOK, April 30 (Reuters) – Siam Makro MAKR.BK,Thailand’s leading cash-and-carry wholesaler, said on Thursdayit expected 2009 net profit to be lower than 2008 and worsethan analysts’ forecasts as fierce competition would squeezemargins. Siam Makro, controlled by Dutch company SHV Holdings,planned to invest 1.5 billion baht ($42 million) this year toopen two new branches and upgrade existing ones, ManagingDirector Suchada Ithijarukul told reporters. “Net profit this year should not beat what we got last yearwhen we had an extraordinary gain. We don’t have any extra itemthis year, while competition remains fierce,” Suchada said. Siam Makro’s net profit rose 29 percent in 2008, mainly dueto a gain from asset sales. But its 2009 revenue was expected to be not less than the74.3 billion baht last year as demand for food and consumerproducts could help offset any drop in sales of non-foodproducts after the government launched campaigns againstalcohol.

Eight analysts polled by Reuters Estimates forecast a 3percent rise in 2009 revenue to 76.6 billion baht. Net profitwas expected to rise 3 percent to 1.72 billion baht. Siam Makro, which has 41 branches, planned to open a newbranch in Bangkok in June and another in the southern provinceof Chumporn in July, Suchada said. At the midday break, Siam Makro shares were unchanged at68.25 baht, while the main Thai index was up 1.42 percent. ($1=35.37 Baht) (Reporting by Saranya Suksomkij; Writing by KhettiyaJittapong; Editing by Alan Raybould). OSLO, April 30 (Reuters) – Three months to end-March (millions of Norwegian crowns unless stated)Q1 2009 Q1 2008 Forecast*Operating revenue2,109 1,1722,016 EBITDA 1,451 6131,289 EBIT 1,199 4851,031 Pretax profit1,147 528943 Net result 1,114 527908 Earnings per share (nok)16.8 7.913.62 NOTES – Full name of the Norwegian oilfield services groupis Fred Olsen Energy ASA (FOE.OL).