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Corporate Economy Expressions Markets Leisure 10 February 1998   Nissan to shift from palladium catalysts Nissan Motor Co Ltd, Japan's second-biggest carmaker and an innovator in palladium-only catalytic converters to clean up car exhaust, is planning to switch back to traditional platinum-rhodium catalysts due to rising palladium prices. Nissan steadily expanded its use of palladium catalysts for domestic gasoline-engine models since launching a palladium-only converter in 1994.   Nalco may float GDR to fund expansion National Aluminium Company (Nalco) may be forced to dilute a part of the centre's 87% stake in the company. This would be done through a fresh equity issue to fund around 30% of its immediate capacity expansion. JNPT to adjust IOC Tanking Rs 5.5-crore investment against wharfage charges The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) board has agreed to adjust an investment of around Rs 5.5 crore proposed by the Indian Oil Tanking Company (IOTC) in upgrading facilities at the multi-purpose berth against the wharfage charges. Indian Oil may replace ONGC as Lubrizol venture partner The proposed joint venture between the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Lubrizol India may come a cropper. At present, Lubrizol India is a 60:40 joint venture between the government of India and Lubrizol Corporation of the US. Early last year, ONGC had intimated to the ministry of petroleum and natural gas that it was willing to buy out 50% of the centre's holding and if Lubrizol India, similarly, settled for 10%, the two could form a 50:50 joint venture.   IA invites final bids for aircraft deal Indian Airlines (IA) has invited the final financial offers from the Franco-Italian AIR and Canada's Bombardier for its 50-seater aircraft deal. The contract is expected to be worth Rs 400 crore. IA has asked the bidders to specify various details in the final offer such as price, manufacturer's credit, financing arrangement, support packages for repairs, and co-production offers. Salomon Smith continues global expansion Wall Street giant Salomon Smith Barney on Monday continued its worldwide expansion with the purchase of Australia's most successful stockbrokerage, County Natwest, for A$130 million ($87 million). The deal was the first acquisition by Salomon Smith Barney since its $9-billion merger with US insurance and securities powerhouse, the Travelers Group in November, and helped meet its overseas expansion strategy.     Bhupathi, Paes to endorse Adidas India products   Tata Electric, BSES in race for stake in Orissa Power   Aptech declares 1   Hindustan Petroleum sets up panel to implement promotion guidelines   Corporate Briefing   Equity disagreement blocks Raytheon alumina project   L&T leads cement majors' despatch spurt   Financial Briefing   Essar Steel set to sew up $200m Zug credit deal   Chamber calls for beefing up anti-dumping measures   Banks seek details on use of Dunlop's sales proceeds   Thanthi group company plans Rs 8.25-crore public issue   Castrol reports fatter bottomline on lower costs   ARAI develops eco-friendly pumpless lubrication system for t   Partnership woes   World Briefings   Ex-bank chief held in Japan bribery case   Philips Q4 net seen topping NLG 1 billion   Executive Briefing