Jose Verge

Dutch bank ING Groep (ING) has warned that the planned disposal of its EUR43 billion Asian fund business could fetch less than half the EUR500 million anticipated in May.

The following is a summary of analysts' forecasts for Zurich Insurance Group AG (ZURN.VX) second-quarter results, based on a poll of 13 analysts conducted by Dow Jones Newswires (figures in million dollars; dividend and target price in franc, combined ratio in percent, according to IFRS).

San Miguel Corp. (SMC.PH) Monday reported a jump in first-half profit, buoyed by higher contributions from its brewery and energy divisions, and expects its new businesses to begin supporting revenue growth early next year.

Noble Group Ltd.'s (N21.SG) second-quarter net profit rose 39% from a year earlier because of higher revenue and gains from Australian unit Gloucester's merger with Yancoal.

The German economy likely escaped contraction in the second quarter, but hopes that Germany could be spared the effects of the sovereign debt crisis and keep the euro zone out of recession have probably been dashed, analysts say.

Oilfield services company Petrofac Ltd. (PFC.LN) Monday posted forecast-beating revenue and net profit for the first half of 2012, but warned that the second half will see contract-award delays in its onshore engineering and construction division, though the group still expects at least 15% net

Allianz SE's (ALV.XE) German unit Monday reiterated that its 2012 operating profit should be "significantly above" the 2011 figure, provided there aren't any exceptional hits from natural disasters or other major claims and from capital market developments.

New car sales in Indonesia rose 0.8% in July to 102,512 units from 101,746 a month earlier, the Indonesian car-manufacturers association Gaikindo said Monday.

The Indian unit of Hyundai Motor Co. (005380.SE) said Monday it is still studying a plan on whether to construct a diesel-engine factory as there is a lack of clarity on government policy.