Singapore's GIC in final talks to buy Tokyo building for $1.6 bln -sources

TOKYO, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC Pte is in final talks to buy a Tokyo office tower for about 170 billion yen ($1.6 billion), three people with direct knowledge of the deal said, in what would be Japan's biggest property transaction since the global financial crisis.

Goldman Sees Russia Taming Ruble Losses After Plunge

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. predicts Russia will contain losses in the ruble as policy makers pledge to curb volatility after ratcheting up interest rates and selling billions of dollars in the currency market yesterday.

Libya's Sovereign-Wealth Fund Sues Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is being sued by Libya's sovereign-wealth fund, according to a spokesman for the fund.

Goldman's investment arm says bank stocks are top pick for 2013

Goldman Sachs Group Inc's investment-management arm is telling clients that the best place to put their money this year is in stocks of U.S. banks, even after their recent run-up.

Citigroup Said to Give CCA Managers 75% Fund Stake for Free

Among Vikram Pandit’s last jobs as Citigroup Inc. (C)’s chief executive officer was to decide the fate of the bank’s hedge-fund unit, which employs some of his oldest colleagues. He agreed to give them most of it for free.

Citic Capital Said in Advanced Talks to Acquire AsiaInfo

Citic Capital Holdings Ltd., controlled by the sovereign wealth funds of Qatar and China, is in advanced talks to buy Chinese software services provider AsiaInfo-Linkage Inc. (ASIA) for about $900 million, two people with knowledge of the matter said.

Wall Street Is RethinkingCommodity-Trading Role

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has held preliminary internal discussions in the last two years about splitting off its lucrative commodities-trading business, according to people briefed on the discussions.

Hedge Funds Lifted Wagers to 16-Month High Before Rally

Hedge funds raised bullish commodity bets to the highest in 16 months before speculation that policy makers in the U.S., China and Europe will revive global growth pushed prices higher for a sixth week.

Barclays’ Azar Sees Pick-Up in Middle East M&A, Fee Income

Middle East merger and acquisition deals will probably rise in the next year as sovereign wealth funds look for ways to spend cash from oil sales and regional companies seek expansion, a Barclays Plc (BARC) executive said.

WSJ: Ex-Gadhafi Officials Remain At Libyan Sovereign Wealth Fund

The new Libyan government is said to be examining the Libya Investment Authority and its dealings with foreign banks

But the man in charge fears his scrutiny could be hindered by the continuing presence of Gadhafi-era fund managers

One rebel leader said the government should create an independent audit commission with the power to bring fraud charges

Goldman's Paperwork Flub

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. had no standard contracts in place to protect itself when it made $1.3 billion in options trades for Libya's sovereign-wealth fund controlled by Col. Moammar Gadhafi, according to people familiar with the situation.

While such contracts aren't required by law, they are routine operating procedure at banks and securities firms around the world when structuring derivatives transactions in opaque markets such as credit-default swaps, futures and options.