Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions

Nov 25 - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals involving European, U.S. and Asian companies were reported by 0600 GMT on Wednesday.

** China Strategic <0235.HK> said it would raise its investment stake in Taiwan's Chinatrust <2891.TW> if Chinatrust lifts its stake in AIG's <AIG.N> unit Taiwan Nan Shan Life from China Strategic's holding. To read more, please double click on [ID:nTPU001903]

** Australian nickel miner Minara Resources Ltd <MRE.AX> will submit a joint bid with a Chinese firm for BHP Billiton Ltd's <BHP.AX> <BLT.L> Ravensthorpe nickel operation, a source familiar with the bid told Reuters. [ID:nSYU009078]

** Asia-focused private equity firm Unitas Capital received nine bids for South Korean retailer Buy The Way, most in excess of $260 million, a source familiar with the situation. [ID:nSP477516]

** Windstream Corp <WIN.N> has agreed to buy Iowa Telecommunications <IWA.N> for $530 million, excluding $598 million of debt, as it looks to offset declining revenue from continued disconnections of home phones. [ID:nN24310222]

** Capmark Financial Group Inc [CPFNG.UL] said it would sell its mortgage servicing business to a Berkshire Hathaway-Leucadia joint venture which raised its bid on Monday to about $468 million. [ID:nN24314498] ((tina.kwan@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: tina.kwan.reuters.com@reuters.net +65 6870 3924))