Breaking pre-market news on Wednesday,
– Kevin Rudd resigns as Aussie foreign minister, expected to challenge Gillard for prime minstership – Bloomberg
– Shell bids for Cove Energy – statement
– BHP Billiton prices $5.25bn bond – statement
– Strong take-up of DS Smith rights – statement
Other corporate: Barratt Developments, Millennium & Copthorne, Travis Perkins, Rexam, BAA, London Capital Group, St James’s Place, Micro Focus, Logica, Hays