Monday Papers: HP close to $1.5bn deal for ArcSight - bid news and gossip

Financial Times

* Hewlett-Packard is close to agreeing a deal to buy ArcSight; sources said that HP would pay about $1.5bn for the security software maker.

* Julius Baer, the Swiss private bank, is considering setting up a dual head office in Singapore as part of a drive to make fast-growing Asia its “second home”.

* The European Union will this week announce tough proposals to regulate the over-the-counter derivatives markets.

* Uncertainty has emerged over Mears’ agreement to acquire contracts from Connaught, its collapsed rival, as the social housing maintenance group scrambles to finalise the details.

* Hundreds of management consultants are being hired across London, in the latest sign of a recovery in the City jobs market; Deloitte is hiring 400, Ernst & Young is recruiting 200, KPMG is to hire 550 and PwC is adding 300 to 500 consultants in the next 12 months.

* Merrill Lynch's former real estate managers led by Roger Barris have formed an independent firm called Peakside Capital to buy the bank’s general partner interests and manage the two global property funds, which together have capital commitments of almost €500m.

* BAE is selling parts of its US commercial aerospace businesses.

* Middleclass leisurewear group Boden has doubled its German sales.

* Engine Group has joined the long list of companies postponing a stock market listing this year.

The Guardian

* Network Rail is looking to appoint a chief executive from outside the transport industry.