M&A
Home Depot to buy SRS Distribution in $18.25bn deal
Home Depot said on Thursday that it has agreed to buy SRS Distribution, a residential specialty trade distribution company, for around $18. 25bn.
UK regulator decides against in-depth probe of Aviva/AIG deal
Britain's Competition and Markets Authority on Thursday said it would not open an in-depth investigation into Aviva's £460m acquisition of AIG Life UK.
Keysight outbids Viavi in £1.2bn takeover of Spirent Communications
Keysight Technologies has reached a deal to buy Spirent Communications for £1. 16bn, outbidding US peer Viavi Solutions which had already agreed to take over the UK telecoms group earlier this month.
Ithaca eyes UK tie up with Eni; Profits slump on UK tax levy
North Sea oil and gas producer Ithaca Energy on Wednesday said it was looking at a potential tie-up with Italy's largest energy firm Eni covering its UK assets and reported a slump in annual profits blaming the British government’s energy tax and project impairments.
Diploma buys US fastener maker Peerless for £236m
Diploma said it had bought Peerless Aerospace Fastener, a distributor of specialty fasteners into the US and European aerospace markets for £236m.
DS Smith in talks with International Paper about possible takeover
A bidding war was potentially on the cards on Tuesday as packaging company DS Smith - which recently agreed to be taken over by Mondi - confirmed it is in talks with New York-listed International Paper about a possible takeover offer.
Portugal’s Navigator to buy UK loo roll maker Accrol in £127.5m deal
AIM-listed toilet paper maker Accrol said on Friday that it has agreed to be bought by Portuguese paper firm Navigator in a £127. 5m deal.
Nationwide, Virgin Money agree terms of £2.9bn deal
Virgin Money has formally agreed to be taken over by Nationwide Building Society in a £2. 9bn deal.
Majestic Wine in talks to buy Vagabond Wines - report
Majestic Wine is reportedly in advanced talks to buy Vagabond Wines, the London-based chain that filed notice of its intention to appoint administrators earlier this month.
Currys lifts annual profit guidance after bid battle
UK electrical retailer Currys lifted guidance as it reported stronger-than-expected sales since the busy Christmas period.
Currys slides as JD.com says it won't make an offer
Currys slumped on Friday as it said Chinese ecommerce giant JD. com does not plan to make an offer for the London-listed electricals retailer.
French shipping firm CMA CGM in exclusive talks to buy Altice
French shipping firm CMA CGM said on Friday that it has entered into exclusive talks to buy telecoms group Altice for an enterprise value of €1. 55bn.
UK's CMA to seek views on Barratt £2.5bn Redrow takeover
UK competition regulators on Friday said they were taking an initial look into Barratt's £2. 52bn takeover of homebuilding rival Redrow.
Vodafone unveils €4bn capital return after selling Italian unit
Vodafone and Swisscom have confirmed that the Swiss telecom group will take over Vodafone Italy for €8bn, enabling the UK company to return €4bn to shareholders.
Biden voices opposition to Japanese takeover of US Steel
Shares in American steel producer US Steel was under pressure on Thursday after president Joe Biden said he's opposed to its $14. 9bn takeover by Japan's Nippon Steel.
Ageas faces opposition from top shareholder over Direct Line pursuit - report
Belgian insurer Ageas is reportedly facing opposition from one of its leading shareholders to a potential takeover of London-listed rival Direct Line.
AstraZeneca snaps up rare disease specialist Amolyt for $1.05bn
Biopharma giant AstraZeneca has announced the acquisition of French biotech firm Amolyt Pharma for up to $1. 05bn to beef up its late-stage rare disease pipeline.
Direct Line rejects second takeover approach from Ageas, shares tumble
Direct Line tumbled on Wednesday after saying it had received and rejected a second takeover approach from Belgian rival Ageas as it continues to undervalue the group.
Liontrust denies Artemis takeover talks
Liontrust Asset Management has denied it is in talks to acquire smaller rival Artemis.
Currys slumps as Elliott walks away from takeover talks
Shares in Currys slumped on Monday as US private equity firm Elliott Advisors pulled from the race to take over the UK electrical retailer after "multiple attempts” to discuss an offer were rebuffed.