Market Pulse
SABMiller set to receive formal offer from AB InBev sooner than expected
An offer for SABMiller could be tabled by AB InBev much sooner than originally anticipated, with a first bid possibly submitted as early as Monday.
Sunday newspaper round-up: SAB Miller, Tesco, Wm Morrison
AB Inbev could table a £70bn bid for SAB Miller this week, firing the starting gun on the biggest-ever takeover of a British company. Over recent days the world’s two biggest brewers have begun “friendly” talks, sources said. The discussions continued into yesterday, with Budweiser owner AB InBev expected to make a firm opening offer within days — possibly tomorrow morning. London-listed SAB, the maker of Peroni and Grolsch, is understood to be playing hardball with its Belgian rival over price, but is not unreceptive to a deal.
US close: S&P 500 closes lower for second consecutive week
Early gains on Wall Street following a speech from Fed Chair Janet Yellen in the previous evening were snuffed out as biotechnology issues continued to reel, leaving the S&P 500 on track for its worst quarterly performance in four years.
Sunday share tips: Imperial Tobacco, Real Estate Investors
A carve-up of Imperial Tobacco is back on the table, with speculation in that regard sending the stock up by 13% over the past month and by 6% in just the last week.
RSA plans sale of Russian and Middle Eastern operations after Zurich pulls out of takeover
Insurance company RSA is planning to offload its operations in Russia and the Middle East as part of its attempts to strengthen its position after Zurich cancelled its plans to take over its rival.
Rolls-Royce says taking R&D an option if grants are cut
Engineering giant Rolls-Royce has said it could be forced to move its research and development budget abroad if the UK government cuts grants that it depends on.
Potential Chinese bidder shows interest in Odeon
The world's largest cinema owner, Dalian Wanda, has become the first to register interest in cinema chain Odeon.
Labour finance spokesman shows support for government's fiscal charter
Labour's finance spokesman has said his party will support the government's aim of achieving a budget surplus within five years, but will not back any cuts that damage investment or disadvantage those on low or average incomes.
UK growth since recession far better than thought, ONS data to show
Growth figures for 2011 to 2013 are set to get a significant upwards revision this week when the Office for National Statistics (ONS) releases its quarterly report.
Tesco 'close to ditching Dunnhumby sale plans'
Supermarket chain Tesco is reportedly on the verge of scrapping plans to sell Dunnhumby after failing to secure a buyer for the clubcard points business.
New draft rules for big banks approved by global regulators
A draft agreement for new rules that will require almost all of the 30 big banks to hold sufficient equity capital and bonds to prevent taxpayers having to bail them out has been published.
No solution for women affected by double pension delay, admits Altmann
Pensions minister Baroness Altmann has been unable to find a way to help the women who have been affected by two delays to their pension start dates, she said over the weekend.
Morrisons involved in legal battles with property developers
Wm Morrison is involved in legal rows with a number of property developers over sites it no longer wants to build on, according to reports.
Merkel's popularity fades following refugee crisis
Support for German Chancellor Angela Merkel has fallen significantly as a result of her management of the refugee crisis, according to the results of two polls published over the weekend.
ECB temporarily bans itself from buying loans from Volkswagen
The European Central Bank (ECB) has reportedly temporarily banned itself from buying asset-backed securities from scandal-hit Volkswagen.