Aquisition

International mining giant, Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) has increased its stake to 52.6 percent in South African based coal producer, Riversdale Mining (ASX:RIV). Rio Tinto offered shareholders $16.50 per share giving Riversdale a value of $US4 billion.

CFS Retail Property Trust (ASX:CFX), the retail property business of global investment manager Colonial First State, is expected to raise $600 million for the purchase of the troubled four DFO centres at South Wharf, Essendon and Moorabbin, and Sydney's Homebush DFO centre from parent company Austexx.

The CFS Retail Property Trust was yesterday placed in a trading halt on the Australian stock exchange, ''pending the announcement of a significant transaction''.

Retail giant, Woolworths (ASX:WOW), has said in its annual report that it is open to potential acquisitions.