M&A
Countrywide accepts Connells offer, shares surge
Countrywide shares surged on Thursday after the estate agent accepted a sweetened takeover offer from rival Connells which values the group at more than £134m.
Hut Group spends £318m on new acquisitions
Online retailer The Hut Group (THG) said it had spent more than £300m on new acquisitions as it continued its expansion plans.
Admiral to sell Penguin Portals, Preminen in £508m deal
Insurer Admiral has agreed to sell its Penguin Portals and Preminen comparison businesses, which include online portal Confused. com, to RVU - the comparison division of ZPG - in a deal valued at £508m.
SSE to sell gas E&P assets to Viaro Energy for £120m
SSE has agreed to sell its portfolio of gas exploration and production assets to Viaro Energy for £120m.
Applegreen to be taken private in €718m deal
Applegreen said on Tuesday that it has agreed to be taken private by a consortium led by B&J Holdings Limited and Blackstone Infrastructure Partners in a deal that values the Irish petrol station operator at €718. 1m.
Halma buys Wolverhampton-based Static Systems for £37m
Halma said on Monday that it has bought Wolverhampton-based Static Systems, a designer, manufacturer and installer of critical communication systems, for £37m in cash.
Fiat Chrysler, PSA win EU approval for $38bn merger
Fiat Chrysler and PSA have received approval for their $38bn merger, the European Commission said on Monday.
Thoma Bravo to buy US data analytics provider RealPage
Private equity firm Thoma Bravo has agreed to buy US software and data analytics provider RealPage in an all-cash deal that values the company at around $10. 2bn.
Vodafone Egypt sale talks terminated
Vodafone said on Monday that discussions with Saudi Telecom Company about the sale of its 55% shareholding in Vodafone Egypt have been terminated.
Signature Aviation minded to recommend Blackstone offer, talks ongoing
Signature Aviation said on Monday that talks with private equity group Blackstone were ongoing and its board was minded to recommend a firm $5. 17 (£3. 86) a share takeover offer.
Next in talks with US investment firm about Arcadia bid - report
Clothing retailer Next is reportedly in talks with a well-known American investment firm about a joint bid to gain control of Philip Green's Arcadia Group, which owns Topshop, Burton and Miss Selfridge.
Novozymes buys US probiotics company Microbiome Labs
Danish biotechnology group Novozymes announced the acquisition on Friday of US probiotics company Microbiome Labs for DKK780m (£95m).
Europe open: Brexit worries hold back shares
European shares were flat on Friday as Brexit trade talks seemed no closer to a resolution and investors started to look ahead to the Christmas break.
IAG reportedly to buy Air Europa for €500m
British Airways owner IAG has agreed to buy Spanish carrier Air Europa for €500m (£453m) with payment deferred until 2026, news website El Confidencial reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources.
Philips to buy US remote cardiac diagnostics provider BioTelemetry
Royal Philips NV has agreed to buy BioTelemetry, a US provider of remote cardiac diagnostics and monitoring, in a deal valued at $2. 8bn.
Mulberry slumps as Frasers says it has no intention to make a bid
Mulberry shares tumbled on Thursday afternoon after Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group said it does not intend to make an offer for the luxury handbag maker.
Signature Aviation in talks with Blackstone over $5.17 a share offer
Signature Aviation surged on Thursday after confirming it is in talks with private equity firm Blackstone about a possible cash offer of $5. 17 a share for the company.
WPP to increase dividend and restart buybacks
WPP said it would increase its dividend each year and restart share buybacks as the world's biggest advertising company by sales set out plans for growth.
TalkTalk agrees £1.1bn takeover by Toscafund, Penta
UK broadband provider TalkTalk on Thursday said it had agreed a £1. 1bn takeover by Toscafund and private-equity investor Penta that will see the telecoms group taken private with founder Charles Dunstone retaining a stake.
Cranswick withdraws from process to buy pet food business
Food producer Cranswick said on Thursday that it has withdrawn from the process to buy UK pet food business Inspired Pet Nutrition, which owns the Wagg and Harringtons brands.