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Analysts were said to be poring not just over Salton's balance sheet, but also over several versions of the George Foreman grill last week.

--Howard Hill, managing director at Catamount Investment Group, on how mezzanine noteholders in collateralized debt obligations don't get the same attention as senior and subordinate investors.

Edinburgh-based Standard Life Investments is looking to add to a barbell strategy in European government bonds on the view that the European Central Bank will adopt a tightening bias, and is also considering its first ex-benchmark move into gilts in more than two years.

Mark Lies, global head of leveraged finance for Lehman Brothers, on his move to London to head up the high-yield loan and bond origination business.

Second-lien debt in leveraged finance structures has made its debut in Europe, after taking off in the U.S. more than a year ago.

Philip Green, the UK entrepreneur, outlined his potential offer for Marks & Spencer yesterday (Thursday), valuing the UK retailer at about £9bn.

Merrill Lynch has boosted its marketing presence for Asian equities with a hiring spree in recent weeks.

Citigroup Global Markets has hired two equity derivatives sales staffers in the U.S.

AXA Life Insurance (Japan), with over USD14 billion in assets, is planning to begin buying credit-default swaps for its investment portfolio for the first time.

Increasing volatility in both equities and rates in Japan has led to a flurry of structured credit issuance in the last couple of weeks.