Barclays could announce a four billion pounds rights issue on July 30th as part of its plan to boost capital, the Financial Times and other papers reported. The bank may also issue hybrid bonds and shrink its balance sheet to meet regulatory demands for a £7bn capital shortfall. The bank reports second-quarter figures on July 30th. The Sunday Times and the Mail on Sunday also reported the possible rights issue. Meanwhile, Lloyds Banking Group is readying investors for a sell-off of part of the government's 39% stake soon after the bank updates the market on second-quarter trading on August 1st. GKN is preparing to buy the wing manufacturing arm of US rival Spirit Aerosystems in a deal that could cost about £450m pounds, the Sunday Times reports. The deal would strengthen GKN's position in the aerospace market. Kansas-based Spirit makes fuselages, engine casings and other parts for Boeing aircraft. Spirit's underperforming wing-making arm is loss-making and makes wings for Gulfstream jets and parts for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A320. GKN reports first-half results on July 30th. Royal Bank of Scotland is close to announcing its head of retail banking, Ross McEwan, as the bank's new Chief Executive, the Sunday Telegraph reports. McEwan's appointment could be confirmed as soon as August 2nd when the bank reports first-half results. However, a decision could be put back because it needs approval by the bank's board, UK Financial Investments, which manages the government's stake in RBS, and regulators. Finance Director Bruce Van Saun remains a contender for the job and the situation remains fluid, the paper said.ITV will increase its dividend by about 50% on July 30th as it reaps advertising revenue from the battle between pay-TV companies, the Sunday Times reports. The broadcaster will make millions of pounds in extra revenues after BT launches its internet sports channel next month to take on BSkyB. ITV is expected to increase its half-year dividend from 0.8p to 1.2p when it reports results with pre-tax profits forecast to rise from £235m to about £263m, the paper said.Aviva is in talks with an arm of Jardine Matheson on a joint effort that would enable the insurer to mount a new drive in Indonesia and other Asian economies, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Mark Wilson, Aviva's Chief Executive, is said to be in early talks with Jardine's Astra International over a distribution deal to sell life policies in Indonesia. The deal could be discussed at Aviva's half-year results on August 8th. Astra is Indonesia's largest independent automotive group and if the deal works out the arrangement could be extended to other countries in the region.
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