Author: KMFSLLP

* Buys stake from activist Cevian Capital (Adds quotes, updates share price)

Companies face challenge of 43% of households having no off-street parking

BERLIN, Dec 27 (Reuters) - More than half of Germany's industry associations have shrugged off worries about U.S. protectionist policies and Brexit, and are more positive about their situation than they were a year ago, a survey showed on Wednesday.

Dec 27 (Reuters) - General Electric Co said on Wednesday it will raise its stake in Swedish 3D printer maker Arcam AB to around 95 percent from 77 percent after buying shares from hedge funds Elliott and Polygon.

Dec 27 (Reuters) - Investors who bet on private prison operators as big winners from Donald Trump's tough line on crime and illegal immigration are looking back at a bruising year of high hopes and disappointment. Some, however, say the stocks still offer good value even though an anticipated...

TASHKENT, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan's Finance Ministry has sacked 562 employees after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev ordered it to root out inefficiency and get rid of what he had called "rats" tarnishing its reputation, the state news agency UzA reported on Wednesday.

* Shares soar nearly 70 pct in 2 days after RCom unveils debt plan

COLOMBO, Dec 27 (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee closed firmer on Wednesday as inward remittances and exporter dollar sales surpassed demand for the U.S. currency from importers, dealers said.

COLOMBO, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan shares touched a near three-week closing high on Wednesday as investors waited for clues from the central bank's monetary policy review later in the week, with trading muted by the holidays after Christmas.

LONDON, Dec 27 (Reuters) - After years of struggling to beat the index, 2018 should be the year active fund managers earn their spurs.