M&A
Frasers backs out of takeover after SportsCheck files for bankruptcy
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group said on Thursday that it has backed out of plans to buy SportsCheck after the German sports retailer filed for insolvency.
Spain's Ferrovial to sell Heathrow stake for £2.4bn
Spanish infrastructure firm Ferrovial has agreed to sell its entire stake in FGP Topco, the parent company of Heathrow Airport, for £2. 4bn.
BT Group not planning to make offer for MusicMagpie
BT Group said on Monday that it is not planning to make an offer for MusicMagpie.
Australia's Adore Beauty rejects takeover proposal from THG
Australia’s Adore Beauty confirmed on Monday that it had rejected a takeover proposal from British ecommerce group THG.
Aviva to buy Canada's Optiom for around £100m
Aviva said on Monday that it has agreed to buy Optiom from Novacap and other minority shareholders for around £100m.
Fastweb exploring deal for Vodafone’s Italian operations - report
Italian telecom operator Fastweb is reportedly exploring a potential deal for Vodafone’s local operations.
Blackstone to buy UK software developer Civica
Asset manager Blackstone confirmed on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy software developer Civica from Partners Group for an undisclosed sum.
Culture secretary 'minded' to intervene in proposed Telegraph bid
The UK government is "minded" to intervene in the proposed takeover of Telegraph Media Group by the Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI, it emerged on Wednesday.
Merck to buy Caraway Therapeutics for up to $610m
Merck said on Tuesday that it has agreed to buy preclinical biopharmaceutical group Caraway Therapeutics for up to $610m.
McDonald's buys back large stake in Chinese operations
McDonald's is buying back a large stake in its Chinese operations as it looks to simplify its corporate structure and take advantage of future growth potential, just six years after selling off a majority holding.
Bullish buys CoinDesk for undisclosed sum
Cryptocurrency exchange Bullish said on Monday that it has bought CoinDesk from Digital Currency Group for an undisclosed sum.
Velocys receives discounted takeover approach
Velocys tumbled on Monday after saying it has received a possible takeover offer from a consortium led by Lightrock and Carbon Direct Capital at a considerable discount to the current share price, and warning it was unlikely to be able to continue as a going concern beyond the end of December.
Top Foxtons investor pushing for sale - report
Foxtons shot higher on Monday following a report the estate agent’s board has come under pressure from 10% of its shareholders to sell itself.
MusicMagpie confirms early takeover talks with BT, Aurelius
MusicMagpie confirmed on Monday that it is in early-stage talks with both BT Group and private equity firm Aurelius Group about a possible bid for the company.
Redde Northgate approaches Halfords over £1.4bn tie up - report
Van rental outfit Redde Northgate has made a £1. 4bn merger approach for high street bike and car repair chain Halfords, the Sunday Telehgraph reported, citing unnamed sources.
Halma buys US-based TeDan for up to $100m
Halma said on Monday that it has bought TeDan - a US supplier of surgical instruments - for up to $100m (£81m).
Halfords said to be joining suitors for online retailer Wiggle
Halfords is reportedly joining a peloton of suitors for the stricken online retailer Wiggle.
Young's to buy City Pub Group in £162m deal
Young & Co’s Brewery said on Thursday that it has agreed to buy City Pub Group for around £162m.
Mars to buy Hotel Chocolat in £534m deal
Premium chocolatier Hotel Chocolat said on Thursday that it has agreed to be bought by US food giant Mars in a £534m deal.
Investment activist Brett Stone urges OnTheMarket shareholders to reject CoStar deal
Investment activist Brett Stone on Thursday urged OnTheMarket shareholders to reject a £99m takeover by US commercial real estate information group CoStar, arguing the deal is "opportunistic" and "significantly" undervalues the company.