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TOKYO, Oct 12- Japanese wireless service provider Softbank Corp is in talks with three major Japanese banks to borrow $23 billion to finance a bid for U.S. operator Sprint Nextel Corp, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday.

TOKYO, Oct 12- Softbank Corp chief Masayoshi Son told reporters last week he decided to buy a smaller rival for $1.84 billion on an impulse- small change for someone who Forbes estimates lost $18 billion in the dotcom bust, but an unusual move in staid Japan.

*Softbank shares down as much as 17 pct in Tokyo* Softbank and Sprint have confirmed in talks* Broker warns of "unacceptable" gearing levels.

TOKYO, Oct 12- Japanese wireless service provider Softbank Corp is in talks with three major Japanese banks to borrow $23 billion to finance a bid for U.S. operator Sprint Nextel Corp, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday.

TOKYO, Oct 12- Japan's Softbank Corp said on Friday it is in talks with Sprint Nextel Corp about investing in the U.S. telecoms firm, but nothing has been decided.

*Deal could lead to Sprint buying Clearwire- analysts. *Sprint, Clearwire soar in afternoon trade; MetroPCS down. The Japanese company might also be aiming to use Sprint as a vehicle to make a run at smaller Sprint peer MetroPCS Communications Inc, a two-step transaction that would potentially cost more than 2 trillion yen, according to a Nikkei report.

*Sprint volume surges, shares jump on Softbank deal reports. Traders have been bearish recently, with the S&P 500 down 2 percent in the last five sessions in anticipation of a weak earnings season. AT&T and Verizon also weighed after news that Japan's Softbank may buy a majority stake in their competitor, Sprint Nextel.

*Sprint, Clearwire soar in afternoon trade; MetroPCS flat. TOKYO/ NEW YORK, Oct 11- Japanese mobile carrier Softbank Corp may buy a majority stake in Sprint Nextel Corp to establish a foothold in the U.S. wireless market, in what could be the largest Japanese acquisition ever in America.

*Sprint, Clearwire soar in afternoon trade, MetroPCS sinks. TOKYO/ NEW YORK, Oct 11- Japanese mobile carrier Softbank Corp may buy a majority stake in Sprint Nextel Corp to establish a foothold in the U.S. wireless market, in what could be the largest Japanese acquisition ever in America.

*Sprint, Clearwire soar in early trade, MetroPCS sinks. TOKYO/ NEW YORK, Oct 11- Japanese mobile carrier Softbank Corp and U.S. operator Sprint Nextel Corp. are in talks about a deal that could see Softbank assume control of Sprint.

Oct 11- Sprint Nextel Corp bonds soared more than 10 points on Thursday and the cost of insuring its debt re-priced to trade as if the company was rated investment grade, on news that Softbank Corp is in talks to buy about two thirds of the US telecoms company for more than US $12.8 bn.

*Sprint, Clearwire soar in early trade, MetroPCS sinks. TOKYO/ NEW YORK, Oct 11- Japanese mobile carrier Softbank Corp is in talks to buy a majority stake in U.S. operator Sprint Nextel Corp for more than 1 trillion yen, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter, adding yet another potential shake-up to the fast-changing U.S. wireless market.

*Sprint, Clearwire soar in early trade, MetroPCS sinks. TOKYO/ NEW YORK, Oct 11- Japanese mobile carrier Softbank Corp is in talks to buy a majority stake in U.S. operator Sprint Nextel Corp for more than 1 trillion yen, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter, adding yet another potential shake-up to the fast-changing U.S. wireless market.

*Sprint shares up 16 pct in premarket trade. TOKYO/ NEW YORK, Oct 11- Softbank Corp, Japan's third-largest mobile carrier, is in talks to buy a majority stake in U.S. operator Sprint Nextel Corp for more than 1 trillion yen, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

*UBS raises Barrick Gold target price to $52 from $46; rating buy. *UBS raises Rainy River Resources Ltd price target to C $7 from C $6;. rating buy* UBS raises Centerra Gold target price to C $17 from C $15.5; rating buy.

*Softbank to buy majority in Sprint- source. TOKYO, Oct 11- Softbank Corp, Japan's third-largest mobile carrier, is in talks to buy a majority stake in U.S. operator Sprint Nextel Corp for more than 1 trillion yen, said a source with direct knowledge of the matter, as it seeks to expand overseas.

*Communications workers of America ratify national benefits agreement covering. *AT&T- communications workers of America voted to ratify a four-year benefit. *Says the health care changes begin on April 1, 2013.