Gene Betts

Vor drei Uhr ist er nicht im Bett, mittags geht es mit den Vorbereitungen wieder los. "Ich versuche aber, zweimal am Tag zu meditieren", erzählt er am Ende eines langen Tages. Braucht man für den Kirmes-Auftritt ein Schausteller-Gen? König grinst ...

German car parts and tire maker Continental AG (CON.XE) on Monday signed a cooperation agreement to jointly produce battery technology for electric cars with South Korea's SK Innovation Ltd. (096770.SE), underscoring a broad trend in the auto industry to team up and share costs for new technology.

Norwegian telecommunications company Telenor ASA (TEL.OS) said Monday its Malaysian subsidiary DiGi reported second-quarter earnings before interest and taxes, or Ebit, of NOK789 million, up from NOK629 million in the year-ago period.

Banco Bradesco S.A. (BBD) said Monday that its profit in the second quarter picked up slightly as increases in its credit portfolio and financial-services revenue offset rises in provisions and expenses. The bank posted a profit of 2.83 billion Brazilian reais ($1.4 billion) in the quarter, up from

French construction company Vinci SA (DG.FR) said Monday it has signed a five-year syndicated credit line worth 1.79 billion euros ($2.17 billion) for its unit which runs and upgrades highways in southern France.

Dutch electronics major Royal Philips Electronics (PHIA.AE) said Monday it swung to a second quarter profit as sales picked up at all its units, especially in the U.S. and emerging markets, offsetting weak European markets and as cost-cutting plans launched last year started to take effect.

Norwegian oil and natural gas major Statoil ASA (STO) said Monday it has awarded CHC Helikopter Service AS three new helicopter contracts worth a total of NOK5 billion to provide offshore flights from Kristiansund and Bronnoysund, as well as the search and rescue helicopter stationed on the Heidrun

Taiwan's industrial output fell in June for a fourth straight month, contracting 2.44% on year, according to Ministry of Economic Affairs data released Monday.

Italy's Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (ISP.MI) and Russia's Gazprombank (GZPR.RS) said Monday they have signed a joint venture for private equity investments in companies from the two nations.

South Africa's tepid growth in recent years has been propelled by the financial sector and consumer spending, the central bank said Monday, as the traditionally strong mining and manufacturing sectors have slumped.

Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) has agreed to the Indonesian government's request that it sell a stake in its Indonesian unit via an initial public offering on the local stock market, a senior Indonesian economic minister said Monday.