M&A
GCP Student Living surges as it agrees £969m takeover
GCP Student Living shares surged on Friday after the student housing provider agreed to be bought by Scape Living and iQSA Holdco in a £969m deal.
Ascential buys majority stake in Ohio-based ASR
Ascential said on Friday that it has bought a 51% majority stake in ASR, a digital content optimisation business that enables brands to grow sales through eCommerce marketplaces, for an initial consideration of $122m.
Avast confirms merger talks with NortonLifeLock
UK-based cybersecurity firm Avast on Thursday confirmed it was in advanced talks over a merger with NortonLifeLock.
Sweden's EQT to buy Covanta in $5.3bn deal
Swedish private equity firm EQT has agreed to buy US waste management company Covanta in a $5. 3bn deal.
Eli Lilly buys Protomer Technologies in $1bn deal
Eli Lilly has bought biotechnology firm Protomer Technologies in a deal valued at more than $1bn.
Keller buys US geotechnical services provider Recon for up to $38m
Keller said on Wednesday that it has bought Recon Services, a Texas-based geo-technical services provider, for up to $38m (£27. 4m).
CMA clears AstraZeneca's $39bn Alexion acquisition
AstraZeneca said on Wednesday that its proposed $39bn acquisition of US drug developer Alexion is expected to close on 21 July, after receiving clearance from the UK Competition and Markets Authority.
Redde Northgate buys EV equipment supplier
Commercial vehicle hire business Redde Northgate said it had bought Charged Electric Vehicles (ChargedEV), a charging equipment supply and installation specialist, for an undisclosed sum.
Flutter Entertainment to sell Oddschecker for up to £155m
Paddy Power owner Flutter Entertainment has agreed to sell Oddschecker Global Media to private equity firm Bruin Capital in a deal that values the sports betting and gaming business at up to £155m.
Chinese regulator to order Tencent Music to give up exclusive rights to music labels
China’s antitrust regulator is set to order Tencent Holdings to give up its exclusive rights to music labels in a move meant t to favour smaller rivals.
Rothermere mulls taking DMGT private in £810m deal
Daily Mail and General Trust’s largest shareholder is considering taking the media group private in a potential £810m deal, it was announced on Monday.
Aon gets EU approval for $30bn Willis deal
EU antitrust regulators on Friday cleared Aon’s proposed deal to purchase Willis Towers Watson for $30bn.
Sanne requests another deadline extension as talks with Cinven continue
Fund administrator Sanne has asked the UK Takeover Panel for another extension to the date by which private equity firm Cinven must make a firm offer for the company or walk away.
Altria to sell Ste. Michelle wine estates business in $1.2bn deal
US tobacco company Altria has agreed to sell its Ste. Michelle wine estates business to private equity firm Sycamore Partners in a $1. 2bn all-cash deal.
PE firm Thoma Bravo to buy Stamps.com in $6.6bn deal
Private equity firm Thoma Bravo has agreed to buy Stamps. com, a provider of e-commerce shipping solutions, in a $6. 6bn all-cash deal.
Philip Morris swoops for Vectura Group with £1bn bid
Tobacco giant Philip Morris on Friday swooped for UK pharmaceuticals company Vectura Group with a £1. 045bn recommended offer.
Spire responds to Glass Lewis concerns over £1.4bn takeover
Spire Healthcare has refuted concerns raised by proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis over its proposed £1. 4bn takeover, as it reiterated its support for the deal.
Spire Healthcare delays vote on Ramsay Health takeover
Private hospital operator Spire Healthcare said on Wednesday that it was delaying a vote on its takeover by Australia’s Ramsay Health Care.
Renishaw ends formal sale process
Renishaw has abandoned plans for a potential sale, the specialist engineering group said on Wednesday.
Huntingdon Ingalls to buy Alion for $1.65bn in cash
Military shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls Industries has agreed to buy Alion Science and Technology from Veritas Capital for $1. 65bn in cash.