The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) announced yesterday that it will buy China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd. for $2.3 billion (HK$17.9 billion) in an effort to diversify its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing beverage markets. But the deal still requires government approval, says Money Morning’s Jason Simpkins,which is anything but guaranteed.

Global investors need to “hit the BRICs” – literally. Back in 2003, the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS), eager to push its clients towards global investing – especially in the emerging markets – invented the acronym “BRIC” (Brazil, Russia, India and China) to represent the four emerging markets it believed were destined to become dominant economies in the years to come.

Officially, we’re in a bear market if the index falls more than 20% below its peak. Yesterday afternoon, the FTSE reached that point. It closed a little higher, meaning the bear market hasn’t officially started yet. But it’s only a matter of time.

After a disappointing string of failed takeovers, CNOOC Ltd. (ADR: CEO) has reignited its foreign expansion initiative with a $2.49 billion buyout of Norway’s Awilco Offshore ASA.

Exactly 12 months ago, West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at just under $63 a barrel.