UPDATE 1-Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions | Markets | Markets News | Reuters

UPDATE 1-Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions | Markets | Markets News | Reuters

Jan 18 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals involving European, U.S. and Asian companies were reported by 0955 GMT on Friday.

(For Reuters columns on deals, click on [DEALTALK/])

** U.K.'s BAE Systems plc. (BAES.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said it had agreed to buy Australian defence contractor Tenix Defence for up to A$775 million ($680 million) in cash, to boost its operations in the country. To read more, please double click on [nSYD177822]

** Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica (TEF.MC: Quote, Profile, Research) said it had agreed to buy another 2.22 percent of China Netcom (0906.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) for about 309 million euros ($453 million) to take its stake in the company to 7.22 percent. [nL18535477]

** Transatlantic exchange NYSE Euronext (NYX.PA: Quote, Profile, Research)(NYX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said it agreed to acquire the American Stock Exchange (Amex) for $260 million in stock to boost its options business, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and cash products. [nN17259645]

** Independent News & Media INME.I said it had agreed to buy Clear Channel Outdoor's (CCO.N: Quote, Profile, Research) 50 percent interest in Africa's largest outdoor advertising company for 86.6 million euros ($126.9 million). [nWLB5916]

** MFS Ltd (MFS.AX: Quote, Profile, Research), an Australian financial services and property group, said it would split its businesses into two listed companies, possibly clearing the way for rival City Pacific Ltd (CIY.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) to buy its funds management business. [nSYD258076]

** Aeroplan Income Fund (AER_u.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) unit Loyalty Management Group has boosted its stake in Rewards Management Middle East Ltd, operator of Air Miles programs in Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, for 5.3 million pounds (C$10.8 million), Aeroplan said. [nN17257169] (Compiled by Tina Kwan in Singapore and Sharangdhar Limaye in Bangalore)