M&A
General Electric sells European unit to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking
Infrastructure and financial services company General Electric has reached an agreement to sell its European private-equity finance business to Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. for approximately $2. 2bn.
Deutsche Boerse confirms it's in talks to buy STOXX stake
Deutsche Boerse has confirmed that it has entered into negotiations with SIX Group, which operates most of Switzerland’s financial markets infrastructure, regarding a full acquisition of the joint-venture companies STOXX AG and Indexium AG for a purchase price of CHF650m.
Fedex requests EU approval for TNT bid
US delivery and logistics service company FedEx has asked the European Union (EU) competition regulators to approve its €4. 4. bn offer for Dutch rival TNT.
Willis and Towers Watson to merge in $18bn deal
US reinsurance giant Willis on Tuesday announced its plans to merge with professional services company Towers Watson, in a deal valued at $18bn deal.
Sysco to pay $312.5m to call off merger with US Foods
Food distributor Sysco Corporation will pay $312. 5m in break-up fees after it cancelled its merger with US Foods.
Johnson Matthey to sell Research Chemicals business for £256m
Specialty chemicals group Johnson Matthey said on Thursday that it has agreed the sale of its Alfa Aesar Research Chemicals business to Thermo Fisher Scientific for £256m in cash.
Former Tesco marketing boss said to be working with BC Partners on Dunnhumby bid
Tim Mason, who left Tesco in 2012 after leading its attempt to enter the US grocery market, is reportedly working with private equity firm BC Partners on an offer for Tesco’s Clubcard loyalty arm Dunnhumby.
DS Smith gains after posting 20% rise in full-year profit and announcing Spanish acquisition
Shares in recycled packing maker DS Smith rose 2. 6% on Thursday after it posted a 20% rise in full-year pre-tax profit and announced an agreement to acquire the corrugated activities of Grupo Lantero, including several operations in which it currently has a minority holding.
Affinity, Carlyle and CVC Capital said to be among early bidders for Tesco South Korean unit
Private equity firms Affinity Equity Partners, Carlyle Group and CVC Capital Partners were reportedly among seven or eight preliminary bidders for Tesco’s South Korean unit.
Bouygues plunges after rejecting Altice offer
Shares in French conglomerate Bouygues fell 8% on Wednesday after the company said that its board of directors has decided unanimously not to follow up on Altice’s unsolicited offer to acquire Bouygues Telecom.
Segro acquires 90% stake in Vailog
Real estate investment trust Segro has completed the acquisition of a 90% stake in Italian logistics real estate development company Vailog Srl.
3M to buy Capital Safety from KKR for $2.5bn
Post-it maker 3M said on Tuesday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to buy Capital Safety from private equity firm KKR for a total enterprise value of $2. 5bn.
Severn Trent surges on Borealis bid reports
Shares in UK water company Severn Trent surged 5% on Monday following a report in the Sunday Times suggesting that Canadian infrastructure investor Borealis was once again considering a bid for the company.
Thorntons surges on Ferrero acquisition
Shares in Thorntons rocketed 40% on Monday on news that Ferrero International will acquire the company for a 145p per share cash offer that values the fully-diluted capital of Thorntons at approximately £111. 9m.
Fidelity says 190p per share Colt takeover offer is final
Fidelity reaffirmed its takeover bid for telecommunications and IT services company Colt Group, saying it will not raise the offer price of 190p per share “under any circumstances”.
Avon Rubber acquires Hudstar Systems for $5m
Engineering group Avon Rubber has completed the acquisition of electronic control systems manufacturer Hudstar Systems for $5. 1m.
Remgro, Mediclinc to buy 30% of Spire Healthcare
Remgro, a major shareholder of South Africa-based private hospital group Mediclinic, is to buy a 29. 9% shareholding in FTSE 250 peer Spire Healthcare.
Trading in BPI halted as Caixa Bank mulls bid
A trading halt was placed on shares in Portugal´s BPI amid reports that Spain´s Caixa Bank would meet next week to consider a complete takeover.
Nokia one step closer to clinching Alcatel takeover
The US Department of Justice said it would allow Nokia and Alcatel to combine, bringing the two phone companies closer to merger.
WPP raises stake in TechEdge to 49% from 20%
Advertising agency WPP said on Wednesday that it has increased its stake in Denmark-based software supplier TechEdge to 49% from 20%.