This elementof higher uncertainty makes the euro a larger threat to domesticexporters compared to the dollar,” Oshima said. Many investors were also reluctant to buy stocks ahead of aslew of events including the outcome of U.S government “stresstests” on the nation’s largest banks. “Given upcoming Japanese earnings results, the results of theU.S. bank stress tests, and the still unknown fate of GM, it’sgoing to be hard for the market to find direction,” said HiroichiNishi, general manager at the equity division of Nikko CordialSecurities. The dollar fell 0.2 percent to 97.83 yen JPY= and the eurodipped 0.1 percent to 127.26 yen EURJPY=R. [FRX/](Additional reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by JosephRadford) Stocks Asian Markets Global Markets Japan. Yesterday was a day of celebration for hundreds of thousands of Scots, the world over, as Rangers fans built up to last nights UEFA Cup Final.
Once again though, it just wasn’t Scotland’s night.It felt quite surreal to me last night as I watch my beloved Rangers walk out, play and eventually lose the UEFA Cup to Zenit St Petersburg, and to be honest, I never thought I’d see the day.The actions of around 200 hundred Rangers fans will have spoiled it for many but not for me. I’m extremely proud of the red, white and blue army that descended on Manchester. Never before has club football seen anything like it.Sadly “surreal” didn’t cover my thoughts this morning at the sad news of the passing of Celtic legend, Tommy Burns.The man was all about football and he had the utmost respect from everyone involved in the Scottish game. At 51, you can’t help but think it wasn’t his time to go and I’m sure you’ll all join me in saying our thoughts and prayers are with the Burns family.Rangers have cancelled today’s scheduled bus trip around the city as a mark of respect for Burns.Football is just not important today as Scotland has lost a great ambassador, a great footballer and a great, great man.. April 23 (Reuters) – Hartford Financial Services Group Inc(HIG.N) is seeking bids for its property insurance business fromrivals including Travelers Cos Inc (TRV.N), Bloomberg said,citing people familiar with the matter. Stocks | Mergers & Acquisitions | Global Markets Hartford solicited offers for the profitable property andcasualty unit in recent weeks. Travelers and Ace Ltd (LTD.N) mayshow interest, Bloomberg said.
A Citigroup estimate values the unit at between $4 billionand $8 billion, Bloomberg said. Talks to sell parts of its life insurance unit to CanadianSun Life Financial Inc (SLF.TO) ended without a deal, the peopletold the agency. Hartford could not be immediately reached for comment byReuters. (Reporting by Jennifer Robin Raj in Bangalore; editing by SimonJessop) Stocks Mergers & Acquisitions Global Markets. Harry “Doc” Halladay celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday, and his Blue Jays teammates finally gave him what he's been longing for: run support and a win! A very happy birthday indeed for The Doctor.After a brutal start to their road trip that saw them score only four runs in a four game set against Cleveland, the Jays have suddenly put together some wins. The Twins made it three in a row, and it came when Halladay was not at his best. He grinded out the “W” and it was good to see the Jays offense bail him out for once.On too many nights, Doc has been masterful while the bats have let him down.
He's already thrown four complete games, two more than anyone else in the American League. Unbelievably, he's lost three of them.The Jays offense I know, the word “offense” is an incredible stretch has averaged a putrid 3.14 runs per Halladay outing That's not good enough. Last night, Matt Stairs made sure to better that in the first inning, when he hit the 11th grand slam of his career to spot Doc four runs before he even threw a pitch (happy birthday!). Doc needed every last run the Jays gave him, but he was due for a victory.