Internet online directory Yahoo! Inc. said that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Yoyodyne Entertainment Inc. in a move that will expand its interactive direct marketing efforts. Under the agreement, Yahoo! will issue 280,664 shares of common stock in exchange for all outstanding Yoyodyne shares, options and warrants. The transaction will be accounted for as a pooling of interests. Yahoo! said it expects to record a one-time charge of about $2 million in the fourth quarter in connection with the deal.

Hoechst's HMR, Agrevo under pressure in Latam:

German chemical and drugs group Hoechst AG said that the global financial crisis was pressuring both its key pharmaceuticals and agrochemical businesses. Pharmaceuticals division Hoechst Marion Roussel(HMR) is experiencing particular difficulties in Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela, Hoechst chief financial officer Klaus -Juergen Schmieder said in an interview with Reuters. In addition to that,the Russia business, which wasn't that big anyway, has broken off," Schmieder said. Weather problems in Argentina and Colombia were wreaking havoc with Agrevo's agricultural business, Schmieder said. In addition, Celanese, which Hoechst plans to eventually list on a stock exchange, is having to cope with a decline in worldwide basic chemical prices. "We have to recognize that the effects of the Asian crisis will last longer and will have more impact that previously expected," Schmieder said.

Suzuki to manufacture cars in Mayanmar:

Suzuki Motor Corp. will set up a joint venture in Yangon, Myanmar that will begin producing cars and motorcycles next spring, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on Tuesday. A contract will be signed with the Myanmar government which will pave way for establishment of the new company by the end of this year, the Japanese business newspaper reported. Suzuki is expected to invest about $10 million in the project, including the majority of venture's $1 million in capital. Thecompany will also send an executive to act as president. The joint venture will assemble passenger cars and commercial vehicles with displacements of around 1,000 cubic centimeters and motorcycles of about 100 cubic centimeters. Parts will be imported from Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations, as well as from Japan.