Deals of the day-Mergers & Acquisitions

Adds Bharat Petroleum, Philippine Stock Exchange

Dec 26 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 2030 GMT on Thursday:

** India's Bharat Petroleum Corp BPCL.NS plans to invest $11 billion in southern Andhra Pradesh state for a new refinery and petrochemical project to meet rising fuel demand in the world's fastest-growing major economy, its chairman said. nL4N3NR0GM

** The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) PSE.PS said on Thursday it will increase its ownership in the country's fixed income exchange operator to a majority stake, taking a step closer to unifying Manila's capital markets after years of negotiations. nL1N3NR06S

** Japan's Nippon Steel 5401.T said on Thursday it has extended the closing period for its $15 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, expressing confidence that the acquisition will protect and grow the American company. nL1N3NR03E

** Alibaba Group 9988.HK is nearing a deal to merge its South Korean operations with E-Mart's 139480.KS e-commerce platform in a transaction that would value the new joint venture at about $4 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. nL4N3NR09E

** South Korean retailer Shinsegae 004170.KS plans to set up a joint venture with Alibaba International, Shinsegae affiliate E-Mart 139480.KS said on Thursday. nL1N3NR03W

(Compiled by Jaiveer Shekhawat and Pooja Menon in Bengaluru)

((JaiveerSingh.Shekhawat@thomsonreuters.com))