XTA

"One exception was Xstrata, up 12p to £35.12 on hopes that Brazilian group Vale was close to making an offer for the business."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/29/marketforcescolumn

CAL

"Capital & Regional, the property group, added 2.1 per cent to 433½p on bid rumours. The latest market talk was that the company could be attractive to Pro-pinvest, a property company run by British private investor Glenn Maud."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e609a894-cd7c-11dc-9e4e-000077b07658.html

XTA

"But Xstrata managed a gain of 0.3 per cent to £35.12 on the back of weekend press reports that claimed Vale of Brazil was working flat out on a bid that would be pitched between £40 and £44 a share. However, many investors were sceptical a deal would emerge, citing Vale’s complicated share structure and the difficulty in obtaining financing."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e609a894-cd7c-11dc-9e4e-000077b07658.html

XTA

"Fears of a recession in the United States curbing demand for copper from America and China weighed on copper miners, yet Xstrata bucked the trend, rising 12p to £35.12 amid talk of a bid this week from Vale, its Brazilain peer. Analysts at Merrill Lynch said a deal was feasible if Vale put its iron ore assets into a London-listed vehicle alongside Xstrata"

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3267842.ece

SFR

"Over recent weeks there have been various rumours about predators snapping up supposedly over-sold property companies. Severfield-Rowen, which provided the structural steel for Arsenal’s Emirates stadium, recovered 8 to 258p after chairman Peter Levine sunk £1m of his own money into the company, taking his stake to 0.5pc. The stock plunged 37pc last week after the company warned that the outlook was not as strong as previously hoped."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/29/cxmktrep129.xml

CAL

"Property investment group Capital & Regional improved 8¾ to 433½p amid speculation that a potential bidder was circling. Traders noted that the shares had been smashed over the last year, falling from a high of £17, due to concerns about the retail and leisure sectors, where C&R operates."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/29/cxmktrep129.xml

STAN

"Standard Chartered slipped 50p to £16.41 despite the news that Temasek, the Singapore sovereign wealth fund, had lifted its stake to 19pc. Temasek has gradually increased its holding in Standard Chartered, the Asia-focused bank, over the last year, sparking speculation of a takeover or some other corporate action."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/29/cxmktrep129.xml

XTA

"However, Xstrata, the Anglo-Swiss miner that has held takeover talks with Vale, ticked up 12p to £35.12 on hopes that the Brazilian company was moving closer to making an offer. Vale is believed to have a $50bn (£25.2bn) financing package in place to fund any potential deal."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/29/cxmktrep129.xml

XTA

"The Brazilian Government may block an $80 billion (£40 billion) bid by Vale, the Rio-based miner, for Xstrata amid fears that it could halt investment in the country’s resources industry."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3261322.ece

FP.

"The board of Friends Provident will meet today to hammer out the final details of its long-awaited strategic review, which is due to be announced on Thursday. The struggling insurer is in talks with JC Flowers, the American private equity firm, over a potential takeover, but is believed to be pushing for a higher offer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3261302.ece

CLST

"Bosses at City stockbrokers Collins Stewart are believed to be mulling over a management-led buyout of the company, which has seen its share price slump from more than 260p last July to just 136p on Friday."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/collins-stewart-chiefs-consider-mbo-774489.html

FP.

" Bankers said JC Flowers had indicated it could pay about 175p per share, valuing Friends at £4.1 billion. However, the board is understood to value the business at more than 200p per share. On Friday, Friends’ shares closed at 165p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3256185.ece

XTA

"THE Brazilian mining giant Vale has taken a decisive step towards a bid for rival Xstrata by lining up a $50 billion (£25 billion) financing package from a powerful group of global banks."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3256249.ece

FP.

"Early last week Flowers confirmed that it was considering an offer, and is understood to have indicated that it would be willing to pay 175p a share for Friends. The group's advisers have, however, recommended to the board that it consider offers only above 200p, according to an insider."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/27/cnfriends127.xml

RIO

"BHP Billiton's board will this week meet to discuss its strategy in its £70bn potential bid for rival mining company Rio Tinto, as it faces the prospect of having to raise its price or go hostile."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/27/cnrio127.xml

NRK

"A putative bid for Northern Rock by Luqman Arnold, the former boss of Abbey, is being backed by funds from a clutch of Middle Eastern investors, The Sunday Telegraph has learned."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/27/cnrock127.xml

CPH

"Restaurants group Clapham House looks particularly tempting. Clapham's stalker, Capricorn Ventures has bought a big parcel of shares, taking its stake from under 15% to almost 25% and raising expectations a full takeover bid is imminent."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=429703&in_page_id=23&ct=5

XTA

"Comments in the Brazilian press refreshed hope that Vale may yet pull off the financing to take over Xstrata, up 107p at 3500p."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=429703&in_page_id=23&ct=5

RIO

"Rumours from Asia suggest Rio Tinto, up 177p at 4696p, may be seeking Chinese help to fend off a too-low offer from BHP Billiton"

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=429703&in_page_id=23&ct=5

IHP

"And Intellego, the e-learning business, said yesterday that entrepreneur Charles Denton has bought another 250,000 shares to take his stake to 24.06%. Intellego was steady at 1.5p."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/26/marketforces.imperialtobaccogroupbusiness

CPH

"Capricorn, which owns Nando's restaurants, has raised its shareholding in Clapham House, the group behind Gourmet Burger Kitchen, from 18.39% on January 14 to 24.93% yesterday. Clapham House shares rose 7p to 223.5p."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/26/marketforces.imperialtobaccogroupbusiness

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester slid 46.5p to 736p as recent takeover speculation faded."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/26/marketforces.imperialtobaccogroupbusiness

CPW

"Meanwhile Carphone Warehouse, where Goldman Sachs placed 12m shares at 275p each on Thursday, added 11.25p to 299p on vague takeover rumours."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/26/marketforces.imperialtobaccogroupbusiness

SCTN

"Carlsberg, the Danish brewer, and Heineken, its Dutch peer, announced an agreed joint cash bid for Scottish & Newcastle of 800p a share, valuing Britain’s biggest brewer at £7.8bn."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2f776fc2-cb19-11dc-97ff-000077b07658.html

FP.

"Friends Provident ticked 0.5 per cent higher at 164.9p on news it was moving closer to announcing a break-up and will unveil the results of a strategic review next week."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2f776fc2-cb19-11dc-97ff-000077b07658.html

MAB

"Mitchells & Butlers lost 18p to 390¾p despite vague talk of a break-up bid from a combined Punch Taverns,down 25p at 666½p, and Greene King, off 22p at 722p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3254640.ece

XTA

"Xstrata increased 107p to £35 on talk from Brazil that Vale was close to obtaining funding for a bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3254640.ece

IOS

"India Outsourcing, formed to buy up and invest in outsourcers, rose 3¾p to 20½p before being suspended while it negotiated a reverse takeover."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3254641.ece

MDX

"Meldex’s first bidder is understood to be its founder and former chairman Barry Muncaster, who has built an 8.2 per cent stake. Landsbanki said that Meldex would be attractive to a US company with a minimal European distribution network and a complementary range of generic products, but it said that the price would probably be a small discount to its 95p target and recommended “hold”."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3254641.ece

MDX

"Pharmaceuticals minnow Meldex International gained 3¾ to 67½p after receiving a number of new takeover approaches. Earlier this month, Meldex received an initial approach - believed to be from former director Barry Muncaster."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/26/cxmktrep126.xml

BIFF

"Waste company Biffa fell 7½ to 311p on talk that the private equity consortium eyeing a 350p-a-share takeover was struggling to get the financing in place."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/26/cxmktrep126.xml

XTA

"Xstrata, another takeover target, firmed 107p to £35 amid speculation that Brazilian suitor Vale has secured a $50bn line of credit from 12 banks to fund a possible bid. Traders also suggested that credit rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Moody's have agreed that Vale could acquire Xstrata without having the its credit rating downgraded."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/26/cxmktrep126.xml

RIO

"Meanwhile, on a visit to China, Rio chief executive Tom Albanese said he had not engaged with any potential Chinese partners about helping defend against rival BHP Billiton's 3-for-1 all-share bid, which he described as still "two ball parks away" from fair value."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/26/cxmktrep126.xml

PRU

"Fresh talk of a takeover boosted Prudential 29p to 655p. Only yesterday the shares were lifted by talk of a possible bid from Ping An Insurance, China's second-biggest life assurer, which has just raised £11bn."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=429669&in_page_id=23&ct=5

RNK

"There was renewed bid speculation at casino, bingo and betting group Rank yesterday. This was sparked by news that Guoco, an Asian group which encompasses Thistle Hotels and casino owner BIL Gaming, had raised its stake in Rank from 3.17% to 4.09%."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/25/marketforces.banking

CLN

"Lower down the market, mining investor Coal International jumped 8.75p to 27p on news of a bid approach"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/25/marketforces.banking

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester added 41p to 782.5p on speculation that Spain's Santander could renew its bid interest."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/25/marketforces.banking

RNK

"Rank, the struggling bingo and casino group, firmed 3¼ to 88¼p on the back of some genuine share buying. Malaysia's Guoco group, which paid Rank £31m for London's Clermont Club back in 2006, upped its stake to 4.1pc. Rank has been seen as a takeover target ever since its share price collapsed following a major profits warning last year."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/25/cnmktrep125.xml

MTC

"Mothercare, which was one of the few retailers to have a good Christmas trading period, gained 28¾ to 392¾p amid rumours that someone was building a stake."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/25/cnmktrep125.xml

RTN

"In such a strong market, there was inevitably talk of stake-building. Restaurant Group, which operates the Garfunkel's and Frankie and Benny's chains, jumped 13½p as traders continued to speculate that it could be the subject of private equity interest."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/25/cnmktrep125.xml

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester edged up 41 to 782½p on fresh rumours that GE Money - a division of US conglomerate General Electric - is studying a possible offer for the mortgage bank. A&L was approached by Spain's Santander at the end of last year but the takeover talks ended without a bid emerging."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/25/cnmktrep125.xml

BIFF

"The waste management group Biffa retreated as the possibility of a counter-bid for the group receded. It fell 2 per cent to 318.5p on news that HG Pooled Management had pulled out of the bidding consortium with Montagu Private Equity. The supposed rival bidder, Global Infrastructure Partners, has taken its place on the 350p per share offer."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/market-report-vodafone-rises-after-talk-of-us-operation-sale-773899.html

RIO

"The only other takeover talk was in the mining sector, with yet more chat over Rio Tinto – BHP Billiton will definitely table a firm bid today, apparently"

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/market-report-vodafone-rises-after-talk-of-us-operation-sale-773899.html

CPW

"It is not the first unlikely rumour to hit Vodafone recently. Other hits included Mr Sarin's supposed departure and a bid for Carphone Warehouse."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/market-report-vodafone-rises-after-talk-of-us-operation-sale-773899.html

PRU

"Prudential enjoyed an early bout of speculative support today amid mounting speculation that the shares are being stalked by Ping An, China's second biggest life assurer. The gossips claim Ping An has already built up a stake prior to making a full bid."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=429627&in_page_id=23&ct=5

PRU

"Another speculative suggestion was that Chinese insurer Ping An wanted to take a £7bn stake in Prudential, up 7.5p to 626p. That would give Ping An a near 50% stake, which seems unlikely"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/24/marketforces

WMH

"William Hill jumped by as much as 15% at one point as investors became excited by a story that Greek gaming group Opap was preparing a bid for the bookmaker. This tale has done the rounds before, and was quickly quashed by both parties. Sources close to William Hill said the company had not been contacted by Opap, or indeed any other bidder."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/24/marketforces

ENO

"Enodis has fallen from 160p at the start of the year as talk of a takeover from American rivals has faded. Investec calculated last year that bidders would have to pay at least 220p for the supplier of fryers and pans to restaurants."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3241496.ece

DWSN

"Takeover talks for Dawson International, Britain's oldest cashmere company, which were revealed in August, appear to be in doubt after recent profit warnings. Ningxia Zhongyin Cashmere, Dawson's Chinese supplier, said yesterday that it had yet to begin due diligence and that “there is still considerable uncertainty on this issue”"

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3241476.ece

SPS

"Superscape, the publisher of mobile phone games, closed up 1.79p at 9.54p after agreeing a takeover by Glu, its American rival, at 10p cash per share. Shares in Superscape, founded in 1993, were 64p three years ago."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3241476.ece

ERT

"Trevor Hemmings, the leisure tycoon who owns Blackpool Tower, could become kingmaker in the battle for Entertainment Rights (ER), the owner of Postman Pat. His Ashby Manor vehicle has increased its stake from 14.4 per cent to 17.3 per cent."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3241476.ece

RTN

"Rumours of stake building in Restaurant Group continued to circulate, helping it gain 8p to 140p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3241471.ece

WMH

"William Hill jumped 30p to 401p on rumours that OPAP, the Greek lottery operator, was eyeing it."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3241471.ece

SCTN

"Scottish & Newcastle fell another 14p to 732p on fears that Carlsberg and Heineken may seek an extension to today's deadline for its 800p bid, and may even withdraw it."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3241471.ece

ERT

"Entertainment Rights firmed 0.16 to 8.26p after it emerged that Ashby Manor - believed to be a vehicle of racehorse owner Trevor Hemmings - lifted its stake to 17pc on Friday. On Monday, the company confirmed it was in bid talks."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/24/cxmktrep124.xml

RTN

"Restaurant Group, which operates the Garfunkel's and Frankie and Benny's chains, strengthened 8 to 140p on ongoing talk of stake building."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/24/cxmktrep124.xml

WMH

"Bookmaker William Hill jumped 34¾ to 405¾p thanks to renewed speculation that OPAP, the Greek betting giant, was mulling a bid. Trading volumes were double the normal daily average but OPAP's chief executive insisted that he had not approached William Hill."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/24/cxmktrep124.xml

FQM

"There was speculation that rumoured bid target First Quantum Minerals would be open to holding talks with Vedanta. First Quantum, which is a Canadian company with a London listing, moved up 29p to £35.80."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/24/cxmktrep124.xml

AAL

However, analysts at Citigroup believe the most likely M&A deal in the sector would, in fact, see Xstrata bidding for Anglo American. "Anglo American's quality asset base, commodity diversification and long life reserves would be attractive to Xstrata," they noted.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/24/cxmktrep124.xml

XTA

"Xstrata, the Anglo-Swiss mining group that has held bid talks with Brazil's Vale, gained 80p to £33.60 amid speculation that it could agree a £40-a-share takeover as early as this week."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/24/cxmktrep124.xml

SCTN

"Foster's brewer Scottish & Newcastle dipped a further 11 to 735p despite Carlsberg insisting that it had the financing for its 800p-a-share indicative offer in place ahead of today's midday deadline. There has been speculation that Carlsberg needed more time to firm up its bid and it is thought that negotiations will have extended until late into the night."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/24/cxmktrep124.xml

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester improved 28 to 741½, helped by vague takeover rumours."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/24/cxmktrep124.xml

SCTN

"Scottish & Newcastle fell 1.3 per cent to 736p after the Financial Times reported problems during the due diligence process with potential suitors Carlsberg and Heineken."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/aca4d254-c98f-11dc-b5dc-000077b07658.html

CBG

"Cenkos's £1.5billion takeover of Close Brothers has been scuppered, with the 130-year-old bank blaming stock market turbulence for its decision to snub the stockbroker's offer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3234557.ece

RTN

"There was talk of stake-building at Restaurant Group, up 1¼p to 131¼p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3234983.ece

JDW

"There are also suggestions that Tim Martin, the JD Wetherspoon founder, may be tempted to launch a buyout of his pub group. Blue Oar Securities calculates that he could fund a bid at about 365p out of cashflow. Wether-spoon ended the day up 15½p at 308p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3234983.ece

RIO

"Rio Tinto rose 67p to £42.95 while BHP Billiton, its predator, rose 65p to £13.00, making its all-share offer look increasingly attractive."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3234983.ece

SCTN

"Scottish & Newcastle fell 10p to 746p amid fears that Carlsberg may not be able to get away a share issue to finance its joint bid with Heineken at 800p a share. There is talk in Denmark that it will ask the Takeover Panel to extend the deadline from this Thursday."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3234983.ece

ECK

"Eckoh, the service provider embroiled in the TV phone-in scandals, dropped 0.625 to 5.875p as rumours circulated that takeover talks might be faltering. Last month, The Daily Telegraph revealed that Eckoh had received a number of bid approaches."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/23/cnmktrep123.xml

FWEB

"Fiberweb, the troubled group that makes fabrics for nappies, soared by 14 to 60p after revealing late on Monday that it had received a 100p-a-share approach from Israel's Avgol Industries. Market sources warned that talks have been going on since November and could well fall apart because of Fiberweb's high levels of debt and the difficulties that Avgol will face securing funding in the current market climate. However, news of the approach has put Fiberweb into play and it could now attract counter-bidders, traders added."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/23/cnmktrep123.xml

CBG

"Merchant bank Close Brothers tumbled 19pc to 750p after Cenkos, the rival broker led by Andy Stewart, pulled its planned bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/23/cnmktrep123.xml

AML, HSX

"Among the mid-caps, Lloyd's insurers Amlin and Hiscox attracted interest amid continuing speculation of further consolidation in the sector. Amlin rose 20¾ to 264½p, while Hiscox gained 21½ to 272p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/23/cnmktrep123.xml

SCTN

"Foster's brewer Scottish & Newcastle eased 10 to 746p as a number of hedge funds shorted the stock in the expectation that the potential takeover by Carlsberg and Heineken would fall apart. The shares are now trading well below the indicative 800p-a-share offer made by Carlsberg and Heineken with the S&N board's blessing. The Takeover Panel has given Carlsberg and Heineken until midday Thursday to signal their intention to make a formal offer or walk away."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/23/cnmktrep123.xml

QED

"Quintain Estates, which some traders believe could be targeted by HBOS again, surged 50½ to 486p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/23/cnmktrep123.xml

KGF

"Kingfisher, owner of the B&Q DIY chain, advanced 9.4 per cent to 141.9p on talk Brandes, the US value investor, might have added to the 5 per cent stake announced last week. Bid rumours helped the stock as short sellers closed positions."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bd9b7fea-c92b-11dc-9807-000077b07658.html

NSAM

"PRIVATE-EQUITY firms and investment groups are circling New Star Asset Management after the fund manager issued a shock profit warning and slashed its dividend. Potential buyers are expected to start examining bids as early as this week after the warning sparked a 31% dive in the share price and wiped £106m off the group’s value."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3215591.ece

BIFF

"Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), the investment group backed by General Electric, is considering a bid for Biffa, Britain's third-biggest waste services company, of up to £1.5 billion. The interest from GIP, a joint venture between Credit Suisse and GE Infrastructure, will be a blow to Montagu Private Equity and Hg Pooled Management. The private equity groups raised their offer for the waste services group by 20p to 350p a share in December. The offer valued Biffa at £1.2billion."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/support_services/article3221621.ece

XTA

"Vale, the Brazilian miner, is talking to its bankers about funding a takeover of Xstrata, which could be worth more than $90 billion (£46 billion), but the Latin American metals group said yesterday that discussions with its Anglo-Swiss rival had not produced a deal."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3227843.ece

FWEB

"Fibreweb bucked the trend, climbing 9 to 46p ahead of the industrial materials group revealing after the market had closed that it had received an 100p-a-share approach from Tel Aviv-listed Avgol."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/22/cxmktrep122.xml

BIFF

"Waste-collection firm Biffa improved 9¼ to 341p after The Sunday Telegraph revealed that it had received a counter-offer from Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), an investment firm backed by General Electric and Credit Suisse. Private equity firms Montagu and Hg Capital are already carrying out due diligence in connection with a £1.2bn (350p-a-share) offer."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/22/cxmktrep122.xml

NSAM

"After Friday's profits warning and 31pc share price fall, New Star Asset Management rebounded 5½ to 106¾p on hopes that it might become the target of an opportunistic discount bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/22/cxmktrep122.xml

FP.

"Life insurer Friends Provident was one of only four FTSE 100 stocks to end the day in the positive. It gained 5½ to 158p after JC Flowers confirmed The Sunday Telegraph's story that the US private equity group was considering a bid for Friends Provident after taking a 2.7pc stake. JC Flowers is rumoured to have made a 175p-a-share indicative offer for the life insurer, which is currently undertaking a strategic review after its abortive merger with Resolution."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/22/cxmktrep122.xml

FP.

"Swiss Re, the world's largest reinsurance group, looked set last night to muscle in on US private equity group JC Flowers' attempt to pursue a possible bid for troubled life insurance group Friends Provident."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/22/cnfriends122.xml

XTA

"Brazilian mining giant Vale confirmed it has held talks with Xstrata about a takeover of the Anglo-Swiss competitor. Although Vale said the talks had "not produced any material result", the company is understood to be working on a bid that would value Xstrata at $97bn (£49.9bn)."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/22/cnxstrata122.xml

CBG

The takeover of merchant bank Close Brothers by a consortium of Cenkos and Landsbanki is a "done deal", according to one well-informed source.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/21/cnclose121.xml

RIO

BHP Billiton is mulling a £70bn hostile bid for its rival mining company Rio Tinto in what would rank as the second-largest takeover on record and bring together two of the world's top iron ore producers.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/21/bhpbilliton.riotinto

RIO

"BHP Billiton, the Anglo-Australian mining company, is in the final stages of preparing a £65bn hostile bid for its rival Rio Tinto, after securing an agreement from seven of the world's largest banks to lend it the additional $70bn (£36bn) it needs to finance the deal."

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article3356225.ece

FP.

"JC Flowers, the private equity group which until recently was in the running to make a bid for Northern Rock, has built up a stake of almost 2 per cent in the troubled life assurer Friends Provident, sparking speculation that it may be considering a takeover bid for the company."

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article3356224.ece

FP.

" JC Flowers, the US private equity firm, has made a 175p per share informal offer for Friends Provident and is expected to update the market this week on its approach to the troubled UK insurer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3221929.ece

FP.

"US private equity firm JC Flowers may seek a partner to strike a deal for both Friends Provident and the investment firm in which it has a controlling stake, F&C Asset Management."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/21/cnfriends121.xml

RIO

"BHP Billiton is digging its heels in over the £65bn price it is prepared to pay for Rio Tinto, as suggestions emerged that it was planning to sweeten its bid for its mining industry competitor."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/21/cnrio121.xml

NSR

"THE private-equity giants CVC and 3i are the mystery bidders that have approached Nestor Healthcare, the provider of out-of-hours GP services."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/health/article3215597.ece

BIFF

"An Investment group backed by General Electric, one of the world's largest companies, has made a counter-approach worth about £1.5bn for Biffa, the British waste collection group."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/20/cnbiffa120.xml

FP.

"JC FLOWERS has built a secret stake in Friends Provident, fuelling suggestions that the American private-equity group could launch a £4 billion takeover bid for the embattled insurer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3215552.ece

RIO

"BHP boss Don Argus says Rio Tinto may have unrealistic views about what it is worth. Dominic O’Connell spoke to him in Melbourne."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3215633.ece

RIO

"BHP BILLITON has called on seven global banks to provide the crucial $70 billion (£36 billion) needed to fund its planned merger with Rio Tinto, a deal that would create a global mining powerhouse."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3215545.ece

RIO

"Some claim BHP Billiton's bid for Rio Tinto is aimed at its shipping facilities. Helen Power reports from Australia."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/20/ccbhp120.xml

FP.

"Christopher Flowers, the secretive financier who was among the initial bidders for Northern Rock, has built a secret stake in Friends Provident, the struggling life assurer, The Sunday Telegraph has learned. Flowers has acquired just under 3 per cent of Friends through his eponymous investment vehicle, JC Flowers, a move that could presage a formal takeover bid for the company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/20/cnfriends120.xml

RNK

"Rank Group ran into profit-taking, losing 2p to 86½p. However, City speculators say that 10% shareholder Genting will soon make an offer for the rest of the stock."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=429495&in_page_id=23&ct=5

RIO

"The miners gave a much-needed boost to the London market with some useful gains. Leading the way was Rio Tinto, up 221p at 4700p, amid mounting speculation that BHP Billiton, up 29p at 1378p, is ready to raise the terms of its bid, which would create £150bn giant. Word is, BHP is ready to lift its all-share offer from three-for-one to 3.6-for-one."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=429495&in_page_id=23&ct=5

NRK

"Northern Rock rebounded on news that the Virgin Group-led consortium would up its bid. It rallied almost 10 per cent but couldn't hold the gains. It closed up 2.38 per cent at 64.5p."

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article3350867.ece

MKS

"While we're delving into the past, Marks & Spencer rose 3.82 per cent to 41.5p, on a rumour that Philip Green was stake building. The story was promptly denied, but the shares remained up at the close."

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article3350867.ece

AZN

"There were a few whackier bid stories out there, which had one trader sighing: "You know it's Friday." The first was talk of an age-old sector mega-merger with GlaxoSmithKline supposedly looking at AstraZeneca."

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article3350867.ece

RIO

"Another rumour to boost the miners yesterday was that BHP Billiton was set to unveil a firm (and increased) bid for Rio Tinto as early as tomorrow. The talk sent Rio up 4.93 per cent to 4700p at the close."

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article3350867.ece

XTA

"Xstrata leapt yesterday as talk intensified that Vale, the Brazilian group formerly known as CVRD, was to slap a firm bid on the table."

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article3350867.ece

MKS

"Bhs's owner, Philip Green, was said to be stakebuilding in Marks & Spencer, up 15.25p to 414.5, but he later dismissed the idea as rumour-mongering."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/19/retail.banking

XTA

"Helping sentiment was another bit of bid speculation, the suggestion that Brazil's Vale may finally be pressing ahead with its supposed interest in Xstrata, which added 266p to £33.63."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/19/retail.banking

RIO

"As for the various takeover tales in circulation, the idea of BHP Billiton raising its bid for its rival miner Rio Tinto was the most plausible. BHP has proposed a three-for-one share swap and has until February 6 to make a firm offer."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/19/retail.banking

RIO

"BHP Billiton, the world’s largest miner, is unlikely to raise its £70 billion bid for Rio Tinto and may even walk away from the deal as stock markets and the global economy continue to sour."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3213002.ece

RIO

"Key investors in Rio Tinto have given the mining group's management their backing, piling the pressure on rival BHP Billiton as the deadline for its proposed £67bn takeover bid looms. BHP must either make a formal bid for Rio by February 6 or walk away for six months under Takeover Panel rules."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/19/cnrio119.xml

SCTN

"Scottish & Newcastle shareholders yesterday threw their weight behind a takeover of the UK brewer by European rivals Carlsberg and Heineken after the two sides opened talks on Thursday."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/19/cnSandN119.xml

CCR

"C&C, the struggling brewer of Magners cider, rose 0.40¼ cents to €4.25 on speculation that Heineken - which is in talks to buy Scottish & Newcastle alongside Carlsberg - could bid for it. "Ultimately, Heineken may view the premium cider category as a valuable growth niche, but one, we expect, where they are likely to be less prone to compete on a low price platform," said Liam Igoe, an analyst at Goodbody Stockbrokers in Dublin."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/19/cxmktrep119.xml

CHS

"Music publisher Chrysalis, which has been inviting offers, rose 7¼ to 106¼p on talk that EMI has made a bid. Rival bidder Sony ATV is seen as the most likely winning bidder, however. Ingenious Securities told clients that Chrysalis, which has the publishing rights to much of David Bowie's catalogue, could be worth 210p-260p. Ingenious said that chairman Chris Wright was unlikely to sell at the mooted level of 130p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/19/cxmktrep119.xml

BFD, JLT

"Bid talk has also been increasing among the insurance brokers after Willis was rumoured to be pursuing US broking titan Marsh. ABN Amro suggested that Benfield and Jardine Lloyd Thompson could be targeted. Benfield, which was approached several times last year, ended 14 lower at 260p, with JLT rising 10½ to 331½p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/19/cxmktrep119.xml

HSX

"Insurer Hiscox eased 6¼ to 258¾p despite rumours that it could be the next Lloyd's underwriter to be snapped up."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/19/cxmktrep119.xml

RIO

"Rio Tinto jumped 221p to £47 amid feverish talk that suitor BHP Billiton was preparing to sweeten its potential bid. One story doing the rounds was that BHP would offer 3.5 of its own shares and A$16.50 (£7.40) for every Rio share."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/19/cxmktrep119.xml

XTA

"Xstrata leapt 266p to £33.63 on talk that Brazil's Vale was moving closer to making a takeover offer. Rumours of imminent activity circulated in the market after Vale cancelled an investor roadshow next week. Market sources have claimed for some time that Vale has been conducting due diligence on Xstrata in connection with an indicative approach of £44-£45 a share but this has never been confirmed."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/19/cxmktrep119.xml

RIO

"Rio Tinto was also on the move amid speculation that BHP Billiton was poised to raise the level of its takeover proposal, possibly by adding a cash element."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6e491724-c59b-11dc-8378-0000779fd2ac.html

XTA

"Xstrata was the day’s biggest blue-chip gainer as rumours again swept the market that Vale, the Brazilian mining giant formerly known as CVRD, was preparing a takeover." "A consortium of Chinese mining companies is also rumoured to be interested."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6e491724-c59b-11dc-8378-0000779fd2ac.html

RTO

"Rumours of a management buyout of Rentokil Initial at 240p to 255p helped it to rally again, up 2.5 per cent to 109.3p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3209575.ece

RIO

"Rio Tinto reversed recent falls, rising 6 per cent to £47.47 on talk in Australia overnight that BHP Billiton was about to raise its three-for-one share offer to around 3.5 shares plus some cash."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3209575.ece

PHTM

"Talk of corporate action at Photo-Me International, the operator of photo booths, helped the underperforming shares to climb 2½p to 31¾p.

Cantor Fitzgerald acquired an 11 per cent stake, or 40 million shares, for an unnamed buyer, and Steel Partners, the activist shareholder, was thought to be transferring its 11 per cent stake into a nominee account before a sale to a potential bidder."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3213308.ece

CHS

"Guy Hands, the chairman of EMI, the music company, has tabled a bid for Chrysalis, one of Britain’s last big independent music groups. Sources said yesterday that private equity firms and specialist music publishers have also shown an interest. It is understood that Chrysalis received a lot of early-stage interest last month when it held preliminary discussions with a number of parties."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3207443.ece

SCTN

"Scottish & Newcastle has opened takeover talks with Heineken and Carlsberg but negotiations over the payment of a shareholder dividend and the UK brewer's calls for disclosure on Russian joint-venture BBH could still hold up a deal. S&N, which had previously rejected three separate takeover proposals from the consortium, said it was in discussions over a possible 800p-a-share offer, valuing the company at £7.8bn."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;?xml=/money/2008/01/18/cnsandn118.xml

RIO

"Rio Tinto touched 4748p on talk that the Chinese were ready to launch a counterbid for the mining giant, which has already rejected a three-for-one offer from BHP Billiton, down 57p at 1349p. Later came talk that even Billiton may pull out and Rio shares were left 186p lower at 4479p."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=429461&in_page_id=23&ct=5

HTG

"Rumours of approaches for some of the businesses of Hunting helped to lift it 20p to 670½p against a falling oil services sector."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3207597.ece

RTO

"Rumours of a management buyout of Rentokil Initial, with a price of 140p to 155p, helped it to buck the trend to rise 2.7p at 106.6p. Shares have plunged since a profit warning last month."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3207597.ece

SEG

"SCi Entertainment, the struggling computer games publisher, moved up 3 to 48p after The Daily Telegraph revealed that retail entrepreneur Charles Denton was building a stake with a view to agitating for management change."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/18/cxmktrep118.xml

HTG

"Oil services group Hunting strengthened 11½ to 662p thanks to speculation of a possible break-up bid. Phil Lindsay, an analyst at ABN Amro, said: "We see a break-up of Hunting as very feasible given little synergy between the two main divisions [Gibson Energy and Hunting Energy]." He believes the stock could be worth up to 850p in a break-up scenario."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/18/cxmktrep118.xml

NWG

"Northumbrian Water gained 16 to 355¾p amid vague takeover speculation. Dealers pointed to a note from UBS earlier this week which said that Northumbrian was "a high probability take-out candidate within the UK water space" following bids for Kelda and Southern Water towards the end of 2007. The Ontario Teacher Pension Plan owns 26pc of the company and although it could block any deal, UBS thinks it more likely that it would work with any potential bidding consortium."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/18/cxmktrep118.xml

RTO

"Rentokil Initial, the rat-catcher and support service group, improved 2.7 to 106.6p as rumours of a 140p-a-share management buy-out circulated. But one senior trader said the speculation was "rather flaky" and more likely to be a share ramp."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/18/cxmktrep118.xml

XTA

"Xstrata was in focus, with The Daily Telegraph hearing talk that Glencore, Xstrata's main shareholder, has entered discussions with a group of mystery Chinese investors. It is said that Glencore is looking to sell its 35pc stake to a Chinese fund, possibly China Development Bank, for cash. Glencore's shareholders, which include Ivan Glasenberg, would then sell Glencore to Xstrata for shares, ending up with a 20pc stake in Xstrata.

However, such a deal may be tricky to pull off if Brazilian group Vale, which is thought to be carrying out due diligence, makes good with a £40-£45-a-share indicative offer for Xstrata. Xstrata shares fell 130p to £30.97."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/01/18/cxmktrep118.xml