Friday Papers: Microsoft acquisition of Adobe mooted - tips, comment and bids

Updated with Telegraph share tips

Financial Times

* A possible Microsoft acquisition of Adobe Systems was among ideas for closer co-operation raised informally at a recent meeting between the chief executives of the two companies, sources said.

* JPMorgan Chase is set to become one of North America’s largest natural gas traders with the purchase of RBS Sempra Commodities’ trading book for $220 million.

* Macquarie has started talks to dispose of its 49% holding in Newcastle – thought to have an enterprise value of about £500 million - which it owns through its controlling stake in Copenhagen international airport.

* Three of Europe’s biggest investors in second-hand buy-out and venture capital assets are raising almost $12bn to scoop up a flood of private equity interests; Coller Capital has kicked off a $5 billion fundraising, while Axa Private Equity wants to raise $3.5 billion and Pantheon Ventures this week raised a new $3 billion fund.

* Mark Thompson, the director-general of the BBC, has called on the government to intervene in News Corp’s attempt to take full control of British Sky Broadcasting.

The Lex Column

* Weak dollar - Panic over the euro. Panic over the dollar. Repeat ad infinitum.

* Indian infrastructure - Big projects still take far too long to complete despite limited reforms.

* Renault/Volvo - Selling Swedish truck stake eases debt burden.

* UK jobs - Hidden rift in the fortunes of Britons looking for work.