M&A
Market overview: FTSE 100 finishes up just 0.1%
1630: Close The Footsie settled 8. 38 points higher at 6,968. 87, ending well below the intraday high of 7,015. 49 but firmly above the intraday low of 6,931. 64. Mining stocks ended broadly higher, though BHP Billiton bucked the trend, while oil and banking shares were providing a drag. Analyst Alastair McCaig from IG said that market "direction [was] distinctly absent despite sufficient corporate newsflow". He said that a sparse economic calendar "provides little incentive for any significant portfolio adjustments".
Spain's Sabadell given EU clearance for TSB acquisition
The European Commission gave Spanish lender Banco Sabadell clearance on Monday for its £1. 7bn acquisition of TSB.
Ann Inc jumps on $2bn takeover offer from AscenaRetail
Shares in Ann Inc jumped 21. 6% ahead of the bell on Monday after the women’s apparel retailer received a takeover offer from sector peer AscenaRetail Group worth $2bn.
Schroder Real Estate acquires St John's Retail Park in Bedford
Investment fund Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust (SREIT) has completed the acquisition of St John's Retail Park in Bedford for £31. 8m.
Ireland's Endo to buy Par Pharmaceuticals for $8.05bn
Ireland's Endo International plc announced on Monday it will acquire generic drugmaker Par Pharmaceutical from US Texas-based private equity firm TPG Capital in a deal worth $8. 05bn.
888 puts in bid for Bwin.Party
Online gaming company 888 Holdings has made a bid for sector peer Bwin. Party, according to reports.
Aveva takeover looms as bidders Schneider, Emerson and GE circle ahead of results
Aveva, which designs engineering software used in the oil and gas industry, is being eyed up by several potential bidders, according to reports.
Rio Tinto could sell $1bn of aluminum assets
British-Australian multinational metals and mining giant Rio Tinto could sell its Pacific Aluminum (PacAl) business in a deal that could be valued at $1bn, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Bwin.Party takeover talks continue, GVC confirms audacious attempt for FTSE 250 rival
Online gaming group bwin. party digital entertainment confirmed it has received several merger and acquisition (M&A) proposals, including an audacious attempt by AIM-listed GVC Holdings to acquire its much larger rival.
Thursday tips round-up: Mondi, SAB Miller
Specially corrugated cardboard is the place to be in the paper sector, thanks to the sheer scale of demand from the likes of online retailers such as Amazon. com. Shares of Mondi, which derives about 70% of its sales from packaging, leapt 10% after its latest results. First quarter operating profits surged 30% on steady demand for its wares across the globe, save South Africa. After pushing through higher prices the company benefitted from the strength in the US dollar and lower input costs, including for wood and recycled paper.
Brewin Dolhpin sells stocktrade business to Alliance Trust for £14m
Brewin Dolphin has sold its stocktrade business to Alliance Trust Savings for £14m.
New World Oil & Gas surges as accidental takeover story from 'Chris Oil' rumbles on
Shares in UK oil exploration minnow New World Oil & Gas were up over 100% on Wednesday morning as the story of the company's "accidental takeover" by the son of a country B&B owner rumbled on.
Highlands Natural Resources agrees acquisition of re-fracking technology
Highlands Natural Resources, which floated on London's main market as a cash shell in March, is close to making its first acquisition and has bought a majority share of a 're-fracking' technology company.
Delhaize confirms merger talks with Ahold to create European grocery giant
Merger talks between Dutch grocer Ahold and Belgian rival Delhaize have been confirmed, in a potential deal that would could create a European supermarket powerhouse worth around €23bn.
James Fisher acquires X-Subsea Holdings
James Fisher scooped up the Aberdeen-headquartered manufacturer of undersea dredging equipment X-Subsea Holding.
Ahold and Delhaize discuss merger, according to reports
Dutch retailer Ahold and Belgian rival Delhaize may have held discussions on a possible merger.
Noble Energy snaps up Rosetta Resources for $2.1bn
Shares in Nasdaq-listed Rosetta Resources surged on Monday after the oil and gas group received a $2. 1bn takeover offer from Noble Energy, giving the latter its first footprint in the highly prospective Eagle Ford and Permian assets.
Nielsen ponders potential bid for Tesco's Dunhummby unit
Information and research company Nielsen is thought to be considering a potential offer for Dunnhumby, Tesco's clubcard scheme business.
Cushman&Wakefield to be bought by US private equity giant
Cushman & Wakefield, the commercial property consultant, is on the verge of being snapped up by US private equity firm TPG.
Hutchinson Whampoa sells stake in Three-O2
The parent company of mobile operator Three has finalised an agreement with a group of investors for the sale of the merged Three-O2 UK group for £3. 1bn.