FKI

"On the FTSE 250, late-afternoon rumours suggested that a fresh bid for the engineering group FKI was due to emerge soon. The company has been at the centre of takeover talk since Melrose was reported to have made an offer of 69p per share. Blackstone is also believed to have considered making an approach."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-drax-powered-up-by-centrica-bid-rumours-789372.html

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester was, however, the worst of the lot. Speculation that Lloyds (or, according to some less convincing chatter, Standard Chartered) was mulling a possible bid had earned some dividends for the embattled bank, which claimed the top spot on the FTSE 100 at the start of the week. As the speculation dissipated, A&L's share price slumped by almost 5 per cent to 565p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-drax-powered-up-by-centrica-bid-rumours-789372.html

AMU

"Air Music & Media, the distributor of cut-price DVDs to supermarkets leapt 15½p to 73½p after saying it had received a bid approach, which follows recent warnings over falling margins."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3456355.ece

DRX, BGY

"There was bid talk in the utilities sector yesterday. The British Gas owner Centrica was said to be on the hunt, while the electricity company British Energy and Drax, which owns and operates the largest coal-fired power station in the UK, were cast as the likely prey."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-drax-powered-up-by-centrica-bid-rumours-789372.html

DRX

"Among mid caps, Drax added a further 7 per cent to 579½p as rumours that it could be a takeover target for Centrica, off 0.1 per cent at 323½p, refused to die."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/17bf5332-e5d0-11dc-8398-0000779fd2ac.html

CPW

"Carphone Warehouse improved 0.3 per cent to 310½p on further takeover rumours. The latest story was that Best Buy, Carphone’s US joint venture partner, was looking to increase its holding in the company to 30 per cent and that Carphone had received an offer for its broadband internet division."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/17bf5332-e5d0-11dc-8398-0000779fd2ac.html

XTA

"Xstrata lost 168p to £39.69 on reports that Vale of Brazil was threatening to walk away from a bid. Glencore, Xstrata’s main shareholder, is thought to be holding out for about £50 a share without a metals marketing deal or £46 with one. Many analysts believe that Vale cannot afford to walk."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3456348.ece

DRX

"Drax, the coal-fired power station, led the FTSE 250 risers, up 38p to 579½p, on talk of a bid from Centrica, down ¼p at 323¼p, which needs to lessen its dependence on gas."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3456348.ece

XTA

"Mining group Xstrata dipped 168p to £39.69 on speculation that talks between Glencore, the commodities trader that owns 35pc of Xstrata, and Brazilian suitor Vale had hit an impasse. Glencore wants to retain the lucrative marketing rights that it has over Xstrata's products but Vale is not so keen to oblige."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/29/cxmktrep129.xml

DRX

"Drax, which owns the UK's biggest power plant, leapt 38 to 579½p on talk that it might be a takeover target for Centrica."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/29/cxmktrep129.xml

RNK

"Rank, the struggling bingo and casino group, slid 7¾ to 91p with little confidence ahead of today's full-year results. Rank is seen by some as a takeover target but Andrew Lee, an analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort, warned: "Pension, debt levels, consumer outlook and the high rating leaves little upside for a bid, in our view.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/29/cxmktrep129.xml

VED

"Mining stocks provided the session’s speculative feature. Vedanta Resources advanced 6.1 per cent to £21.99 on talk of stakebuilding or a £27 a share bid from a Chinese mining company."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/42880bd4-e505-11dc-9334-0000779fd2ac.html

MOSB

"Laura Ashley, the fashion and homewares retailer that owns a 5.4pc stake in Moss Bros, has been approached by another shareholder in the menswear chain about throwing its weight behind a counter-bid to Baugur's £40m indicative offer for the retailer."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/28/cnmoss128.xml

PMR

"Panmure Gordon firmed 1p to 72½p amid whispers rival broker Evolution, down 1p at 123p, may be looking to bid. Panmure is valued at £48m."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=431172&in_page_id=23&ct=5

SIL

"Silverjet, the business-class-only airline which operates from Luton Airport, climbed to an early high of 19.25p on speculation that it had attracted the interest of a larger operator. A bid was mentioned but there were few clues about the prospective suitor. Another rumour suggested that, instead of a bid, the company was about to become the latest recipient of some Middle Eastern larg-esse. Someone, it was whispered, was about to snap up a significant stake."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-schroders-steps-back-into-the-takeover-spotlight-788596.html

XTA

"Xstrata was lifted 47p to 4,137p by some late bid talk, which suggested the possibility of a 5,000p-per-share bid from its rival Anglo American. The Anglo-Swiss giant has been at the centre of sector consolidation talk for some time as the market awaits an approach from Vale, the Brazilian miner which is thought to be working on a bid of its own."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-schroders-steps-back-into-the-takeover-spotlight-788596.html

AL., BB.

"After earlier speculation about Lloyds' intentions, Standard Chartered was touted as a likely bidder for Alliance & Leicester or Bradford & Bingley. The talk failed to convince traders, and the shares of all three fell yesterday."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-schroders-steps-back-into-the-takeover-spotlight-788596.html

SDR

"Vague bid talk boosted the asset management company Schroders yesterday. The speculation emerged late in the day, and bore few details. No price was mentioned, nor was there any indication about the identity of the likely bidder."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-schroders-steps-back-into-the-takeover-spotlight-788596.html

TDG

"TDG received a £225m bid yesterday, but analysts believe that may not be the end of the story. Private equity group Laxey, which owns 22% of TDG, is offering 275p a share in cash, less a promised 8.75p dividend, and says it wants to back the transport group's management and strategy"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/28/marketforces.bhpbilliton

SDR

"The fund management group Schroders was one company being gossiped about, up 28p to 977p on late talk of a possible bid approach."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/28/marketforces.bhpbilliton

MAB

"Pub company Mitchells & Butlers added 2.9 per cent to 454¾p on talk that Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, the private equity group, had decided to explore the possibility of an offer. Traders noted that Roger Carr, M&B chairman, was preparing to step aside from his role as senior adviser at KKR."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/42880bd4-e505-11dc-9334-0000779fd2ac.html

SDR

"Bid rumours also help support the share price of fund management group Schroders, up 3 per cent to 977p."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/42880bd4-e505-11dc-9334-0000779fd2ac.html

XTA

"Elsewhere, Xstrata gained 1.2 per cent to £41.37 on speculation that Anglo American, 1.5 per cent higher at £33.30, was preparing a bid. The terms of the rumoured Anglo offer were £13 in cash and 1.1 Anglo share. Meanwhile, Brazilian company Vale’s putative $85bn (£43bn) takeover of Xstrata was last night on the brink of collapse after a major shareholder in the Anglo-Swiss miner refused to agree to the terms of the offer"

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/42880bd4-e505-11dc-9334-0000779fd2ac.html

TDG

"TDG, the logistics group, rose 33¼p to 258¾p after it said that it was in talks with Laxey Partners, which owns a 22 per cent stake in the company, about a takeover at 275p. Douglas McNeill, Blue Oar’s transport analyst, said that the price was attractive, but added: “This approach may prompt a rival offer – and that may well be exactly what Laxey is trying to achieve."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3449035.ece

ARG

"ArmorGroup, the troubled provider of armed security guards in the world’s danger zones, rose 9½p to 44¾p after it said that it was in talks about possible takeover offers from “a number of parties”. Baird Capital, the private equity group that backed Armor’s £20 million buyout in 2003 and still holds 32 per cent of the group, which listed in 2004 at 125p a share, is rumoured to be one possible bidder."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3449035.ece

RIO

"Seymour Pierce described BHP Billiton’s share offer for Rio Tinto, up 79p at £58.35, as too low and said that investors should buy Rio’s shares with a £71.25 price target."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3449031.ece

XTA

"Xstrata, the copper miner, reached a record high yesterday amid a rumour that Anglo American, up 50p at £33.30, was plotting a bid, offering one Anglo share and £13 cash for every one of Xstrata. Xstrata, of Switzerland, whose negotiations with Vale, of Brazil, appear to have stalled because Glencore, Xstrata’s main shareholder, cannot agree a price or a metals marketing deal, rose 47p to £41.47."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3449031.ece

ARG

""ArmorGroup, the struggling private security firm that operates in Iraq and other dangerous environments, surged 9½ to 44¾p after receiving several bid approaches.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/28/cxmktrep128.xml

FWEB

""Struggling Fiberweb, which makes fabrics for nappies, gained 5¾ to 66p after full-year results provided some reassurance about the group's turnround prospects. The company said that it was "enabling a due diligence process" after receiving a 100p-a-share takeover proposal from Israeli competitor Avgol last month.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/28/cxmktrep128.xml

SDR

"Fund management giant Schroders rose 28 to 977p as vague bid rumours did the rounds late in the day."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/28/cxmktrep128.xml

VED

""Indian miner Vedanta Resources jumped 127p to £21.99 as rumours of stakebuilding by a Chinese investor resurfaced. One senior trader noted that a hostile takeover was out of the question, given that the Agarwal family owns more than 50pc of the shares. Analysts said the share price rise was more likely to be down to strong zinc prices.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/28/cxmktrep128.xml

XTA

"After a few days out of the spotlight, the mining sector was back in focus as several strange takeover rumours flew round the City late in the day. Shortly before the market closed, Xstrata shot up amid speculation that Anglo American was preparing a £50-a-share knockout bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/28/cxmktrep128.xml

MAY

"Mapeley, the offshore property investment and outsourcing company, has received a bid approach just weeks before it is due to refinance almost £260m of debt."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/27/cnmapeley127.xml

IMP

"Imprint, which specialises in financial staffing, yesterday received its fourth bid in less than a year. The company was in the throes of finalising an agreed cash-and-share offer from rival Hydrogen, worth around 110p a share, when another recruitment group, Premier, stepped in to offer 115p. Imprint may adjourn Friday's extraordinary meeting to approve the Hydrogen bid so it can consider the new proposa"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/27/marketforces

SEG

"Troubled computer games company SCi Entertainment climbed 14.5p to 60.25p on revived takeover talk after a $1.9bn bid for US rival Take-Two from Electronic Arts Inc. SCi is due to update the market on Friday."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/27/marketforces

MAY

"One bid which did emerge was at property group Mapeley, where dealers had been speculating about a management buyout. The company's shares jumped 297p to £17.50 as it confirmed it had received an indicative takeover proposal. US investment group Fortress owns more than 50% of the business."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/27/marketforces

AML

"There was heavy trading in Amlin, the Lloyd’s of London insurer, which rose 7.2 per cent to 292½p as rumours of a bid approach swirled in the market."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0c252f24-e440-11dc-a495-0000779fd2ac.html

SHP

"Drug company Shire rose 1.5 per cent to £10.15 on talk of a £14 a share bid approach from a US rival. However, traders were quick to point out that David Mott, a non- executive director, declared the purchase of 15,000 shares on Tuesday, something he would not have been able to do had the company re­ceived a bid."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0c252f24-e440-11dc-a495-0000779fd2ac.html

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester rose 8.1 per cent to 600p on a combination of bid talk and short covering."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0c252f24-e440-11dc-a495-0000779fd2ac.html

MOSB

"Moss Bros A private shareholder in Moss Bros is poised to go head-to-head with Baugur, the Icelandic investment bank, and table a rival takeover bid for the struggling menswear retailer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/article3442029.ece

MAY

"Mapeley soared 297p to £17.50 after receiving a bid, thought to be from Fortress Investment, its 50 per cent shareholder."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3442023.ece

SHP

"Shire, the hyperactivity drug specialist, was up 15p at £10.15 amid talk of a bid for it. AstraZeneca, up 8p at £20.07, has been spoken of as a potential predator in the past. However, Shire directors’ buying of shares after stronger than expected sales of its Vyvanse drug this week indicate that no approach has yet been made."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3442023.ece

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester was the top gainer, up 45p at 600p on hopes of a bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3442023.ece

HAS

" The management of Hays, the recruitment group, will have to get a grip on its slowing British business, 60 per cent of its revenue, or they may find Manpower, its huge American counterpart, looming over it with an opportunistic bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3442023.ece

MAY

"Mapeley, which manages properties for the Government, soared by 20pc to £17.50 after receiving a bid approach, which is thought to be from Fortress, the US hedge fund that owns a controlling stake it."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/27/cxmktrep127.xml

SEG

"SCi Entertainment, the struggling computer games publisher, surged 32pc to 60¼p on rumours that it has secured a vital funding line ahead of its strategic update on Friday. There was also talk of a potential bid in the offing and a disposal of non-core assets. Analysts believe that the company may need up to £30m of additional working capital. SCi, which has seen its shares fall by 90pc after hopes of a takeover evaporated, indicated last month that it had received a number of funding proposals."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/27/cxmktrep127.xml

SHP

"Shire, Britain's third largest pharmaceutical group, ticked up 15p to £10.15 on vague rumours that there was a £14-a-share bid in the pipeline. While volumes were brisk, traders said that with directors buying shares during yesterday's session, it was very unlikely that the company had been approached at this stage."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/27/cxmktrep127.xml

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester jumped 45 to 600p amid continuing hopes that it will become a takeover target for bigger rivals such as Lloyds TSB. A&L has now surged by 25pc since last Thursday, with the recovery driven by hedge funds closing their short positions."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/27/cxmktrep127.xml

BIFF

"A consortium led by Montagu Private Equity was declared the winner in the battle for control of Biffa, the waste management company, yesterday after a rival group dropped its takeover plans."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/support_services/article3434378.ece

MOSB

" Baugur, the Icelandic investment group, is facing its most fraught takeover battle since coming to Britain after making an indicative £40 million bid for Moss Bros, the 157-year-old menswear chain."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/mergers_and_acquisitions/article3434391.ece

MOSB

"A rift has broken out on the board of Moss Bros, the suit hire company, after a non-executive director related to the founding Moss family refused to endorse the chairman's decision to open the 149-year-old retailer's books to Baugur, the Icelandic investor that is trying to buy the chain."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/26/cnmoss126.xml

SBT

"On AIM, Sportingbet remained buoyant on the back of last week's rumours suggesting an impending, 70p-per-share bid from BWIN Interactive, the Austrian gaming firm which abandoned a round of takeover talks with the company last year."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-credit-suisse-gloom-bites-into-premier-foods-787308.html

AL., BB.

"On the FTSE 250, Bradford & Bingley, the other bank touted as a likely takeover target for Lloyds, rose 6.2 per cent, despite some analysts' questions about its suitability. Unlike A&L, B&B is very much involved in the buy-to-let market. Lloyds has been more wary of buy-to-let and, therefore, the reasoning went, would fit better with A&L."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-credit-suisse-gloom-bites-into-premier-foods-787308.html

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester was the feature of the day in the banking sector. The company was propelled to the top of the FTSE 100 leader board following weekend reports which suggested Lloyds TSB was considering making a bid for its business. Lloyds, which failed to acquire the now nationalised Northern Rock, is believed to be eyeing rivals weakened by the global credit crunch, and A&L is widely supposed to be at the top of the list of potential targets."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-credit-suisse-gloom-bites-into-premier-foods-787308.html

AL.

"Alliance & Leicester was the top riser on the FTSE 100 as the bank continued its rally from Friday with more speculation that it is a takeover target for Lloyds TSB, after the latter signalled that it remained on the lookout for acquisitions"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/26/marketforces.shares

SBT

"Rumours of a bid for Sporting Bet from Bwin, its Austrian rival, helped to lift the online gamer 4¼p to 47¼p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3435149.ece

BIFF

"Biffa fell 22¼p to 345¾p after it said that bidders, thought to be Terra Firma and Suez Lyonnais, had pulled out of talks to counter the 350p offer from Montagu Private Equity and Global Infrastructure Partners."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3435149.ece

AL., BB.

"Weekend reports that Lloyds TSB, up 9p at 466½p, had looked at buying Alliance & Leicester or Brad-ford & Bingley helped the pair to rise 45p to 555p and 11¾p to 200¼p respectively."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3435149.ece

FWEB

"Fiberweb, which makes fabrics for use in nappies, firmed 4 to 59½p as Dr Tito Tettamanti, the veteran Swiss corporate raider, increased his stake to 5pc. The stake is held through his Sterling Strategic Value fund. Fiberweb, which was hit by three profit warnings last year, is in ongoing talks with Israeli peer Avgol about a possible 100p-a-share takeover. There has been speculation that other industry players could make counter-bids."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/26/cxmktrep126.xml

SBT

"Online gambling group Sportingbet jumped by another 4¼ to 47¼p on continuing rumours that Austrian suitor Bwin Interactive may come back with a 70p-a-share proposal. Bwin was in takeover talks with Sportingbet until last July, when the discussions were "mutually and amicably discontinued"."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/26/cxmktrep126.xml

BIFF

"Waste disposal group Biffa fell 22¼ to 345¾p after potential counter-bidders walked away, leaving a recommended 350p-a-share offer from private equity house Montagu on the table."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/26/cxmktrep126.xml

AL., BB.

"Mortgage banks Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley were both firmer after The Sunday Telegraph reported that Lloyds TSB was mulling possible approaches to both companies."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/26/cxmktrep126.xml

MOSB

"Icelandic investor Baugur is facing pressure from Moss Bros family shareholders to declare its hand, as rival bidders circle the embattled menswear chain. Members of the Gee dynasty are understood to have received approaches from other investors who would let them roll their equity into a new enterprise. Together, the founding Moss and Gee families speak for 26.7 per cent."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/24/retail.shares

AL.

"Lloyds TSB, whose attempt to buy Northern Rock was rebuffed by the Bank of England, is casting its eye over Alliance & Leicester as a possible consolation prize.Shares in A&L, which have been heavily hit by the credit crunch, rose by 30.5p to 510p on Friday on bid speculation. However, sources said no talks have taken place between the two."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/24/lloydstsbgroup.allianceleicesterbusiness

FP.

" THE American private-equity firm JC Flowers is in talks with a consortium of leading banks about providing financing for a bid for the insurer Friends Provident."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3422348.ece

XTA

"MINING groups Vale and Xstrata are inching towards a deal that will create the world’s largest mining group. Senior banking sources said Vale was close to tabling an offer for Xstrata of £46 a share."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3422335.ece

SCTN

"THE American company behind Budweiser beer, Anheuser-Busch, is this weekend examining whether to launch a last-ditch counter-offer for Scottish & Newcastle, Britain’s biggest brewer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/consumer_goods/article3422333.ece

AL., BB.

"Lloyds TSB is to weigh up potential takeover approaches to Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley as it scents opportunities to snap up rivals hit by the credit crunch."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/24/cnlloyds124.xml

HUM

"Humberts, the estate agency and surveyor part-owned by the property tycoon Vincent Tchenguiz, is in talks with several firms about a possible takeover after reporting a £17 million loss and giving warning about its future."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/support_services/article3419618.ece

BIFF

"Terra Firma, the private equity firm, and Suez, the French utility giant, could wait until the last possible moment to launch a joint £1.5 billion counter-bid for Biffa, sparking an eleventh-hour bidding war for the waste firm."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/support_services/article3419378.ece

RSL

"The takeover of Resolution Group was last night delayed for a third time, leading to mounting concerns that the £5bn bid for the zombie fund operator could collapse."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/23/cnres123.xml

AL.

"Fresh hopes that struggling High Street bank Alliance & Leicester might be put out of its misery injected momentum into the ailing stock just hours before the market was due to close. Alliance & Leicester shot up 30½p to 510p, a rise of more than 5%, as investors detected a takeover message hidden in Lloyds TSB chairman Sir Victor Blank's words."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=430832&in_page_id=23&ct=5

HUM

"Humberts Group, which had rallied on the back of some bid speculation earlier in the month, suffered after revealing a full-year loss yesterday. The company, whose share price fell by 0.75p or 6.82 per cent to 10.25p, added that it was still in negotiations with interested parties, signalling the possibility of an offer for the business."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-sportingbet-is-a-winner-after-bid-speculation-786177.html

BIFF

"Investors were heartened by reports that the bidding war was brewing over Biffa, another FTSE 250-listed waste management group. The chatter took Shanks's shares up by 5.50p to 245p, while Biffa's share price rose by 3p to 368p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-sportingbet-is-a-winner-after-bid-speculation-786177.html

SBT

"Sportingbet, the gambling and gaming company which operates in Europe and Australia, was the subject of some bid speculation yesterday. Late-afternoon rumours suggested that Bwin Interactive, the Austrian gaming firm which abandoned a round of takeover talks with the company last year, was ready to table a 70p per share offer for Sportingbet. According to the grapevine, an approach was likely to be made as early as next week."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-sportingbet-is-a-winner-after-bid-speculation-786177.html

RSL

"Moving back to the fallers, insurer Resolution suffered a late blow when it admitted fresh delays to its takeover by rival Pearl. The news deepened losses for the shares and they ended down 17p, or 2.5%, at 663p."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/23/marketforces.shares

XTA

"Xstrata, the mining group, was yesterday at the centre of further rumours relating to the £40 billion offer from the rival Vale, of Brazil. Talks between Vale and Xstrata’s main shareholder Glencore continue, but differences are thought to centre not just on price but also on Glencore’s insistence that it be allowed access to some of a combined group’s iron ore output for its own trading operations."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3419938.ece

HUM

"Humberts, the ailing estate agent, lost ¾ to 10¼p despite receiving further bid approaches."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/23/cxmktrep123.xml

CARL

"Carluccio's, the Italian restaurant chain, moved up 1 to 150½p after entrepreneur Richard Caring increased his stake to 12pc. Mr Caring owns a range of fashionable London eateries including The Ivy and Le Caprice. Traders said his stakebuilding could be a prelude to a bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/23/cxmktrep123.xml

SBT

"Meanwhile, online gambling group Sportingbet rose 1½ to 43p on vague rumours of an 70p-a-share bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/23/cxmktrep123.xml

AL.

"Mortgage bank Alliance & Leicester was eyed as a bid target again after rival Lloyds TSB admitted it was constantly monitoring potential acquisitions."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/23/cxmktrep123.xml

XTA

"It seems a formal offer for Xstrata, the Anglo-Swiss mining company, will be announced very soon. It is understood that Vale, the Brazilian mining group, has raised its offer informally for the company. Shares in Xstrata yesterday shot up 113p, or nearly 3%, to £40.60 on the news. The price range is still being discussed."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/22/marketforces.interestrates

LMI

"Lonmin rose as well, buffeted by rising platinum prices and continuing speculation about a prospective bid from the Chinese. The company's shares gained 71p to 3535p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-takeover-talk-pushes-xstrata-past-16340-mark-785625.html

COL

"On AIM, the commercial real estate consultancy Colliers CRE was up on the back of some vague bid speculation. The chatter, which took the company's stock up by 14p, or 23.14 per cent, to 74.50p, suggested that a bigger sector counterpart was preparing an offer for the business. No names were suggested, nor was there any indication of the likely level of the prospective bid."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-takeover-talk-pushes-xstrata-past-16340-mark-785625.html

HRG

"Among small caps, Hogg Robinson, the business support services group, failed to inspire any support from talk of a possible bid. The whispers, borne of some large trades in the company's shares, had little detail, and the shares closed down 0.25p at 59.75p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-takeover-talk-pushes-xstrata-past-16340-mark-785625.html

XTA

"Xstrata's shares, driven by renewed speculation concerning Vale's intentions, swung past the £40 mark – to 4,060p, up 113p – at which the Brazilians were believed to have pegged an early, indicative offer to take over the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-takeover-talk-pushes-xstrata-past-16340-mark-785625.html

XTA

"Vale, the Brazilian miner, said that a $90 billion bid for Xstrata, its Swiss rival, was not imminent, but added that the two companies are continuing to talk about a deal. Xstrata’s share price surged by 8 per cent on reports that Vale would bid £47 a share, but this was denied by the Brazilians."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3412513.ece

XTA

"Xstrata rose 113p to a record high of £40.60 on continuing talk that Vale, of Brazil, has raised its offer from £40 to £47 a share, although Vale sources suggested that no bid agreement was imminent."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3412886.ece

SCTN

"As the dust settled over SABMiller’s sudden withdrawal from bidding for Scottish & Newcastle, there was growing talk yesterday that Anheuser-Busch, the giant US brewer of Budweiser, was plotting to enter the fray."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3412886.ece

MNR

"Central London property developer Minerva is likely to be in focus today after sources revealed that LeFrak, the family run New York real estate group, has built a 2pc-3pc stake in the company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/22/cxmktrep122.xml

LAD

"Ladbrokes, buoyed by speculation that Joe Lewis might bid now that he has built a stake, fell a more modest 8¼p to 317¾p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3406577.ece

VER

"Vernalis became the latest takeover target in the biotechnology sector yesterday after it cut 60 per cent of its workforce, parted with its chief executive and put its American operations up for sale."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/health/article3406179.ece

RIO

"BHP Billiton has begun to target retail shareholders of Rio Tinto in the hope that the man on the street can push its hostile bid for Rio over the line."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/21/cnrio121.xml

RNK

"After suffering a bit last week, bingo and casino operator Rank Group was also up on the back of resurgent bid speculation. The company's shares closed up 1p at 99p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-its-payback-time-for-builders-says-dresdner-784974.html

XTA

"Xstrata, the Anglo-Swiss miner which has been at the centre of some persistent consolidation talk, climbed 57p to 3,947p. The company benefited from rumours suggesting that Vale, the Brazilian miner which has been working on a takeover approach since the start of this year, was ready with an enhanced £47-per-share bid. Some more fervent speculators added the suggestion that the two companies had actually reached some agreement on the offer."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-its-payback-time-for-builders-says-dresdner-784974.html

LMI

"On the FTSE 100, bid speculation surrounded Lonmin, the world's third largest primary platinum producer. The chatter suggested that the Chinese were preparing to bid (or, in another account which was doing the rounds, had made an indicative bid) about £45 per share for the company. The details were scarce – aside from the likely nationality, the suitor remained unnamed – and Lonmin declined to comment on the speculation."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-its-payback-time-for-builders-says-dresdner-784974.html

LMI

"Lonmin firmed 0.3 per cent to £34.64 on vague talk of bid interest from China."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/374a9352-df85-11dc-8073-0000779fd2ac.html

LMI

"There was also vague talk of a £45-a-share bid from China for Lonmin, which was up 1p at £34.64."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3406577.ece

XTA

"Xstrata, the miner, was up 57p at £39.47 after a rumour spread that it was about to agree a bid from Vale, its Brazilian peer, at £47 a share. However, most believed that was still a way off."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3406577.ece

HRG

"Corporate travel group Hogg Robinson eased 1 to 60p as investors took some profits. The shares had been strong in previous days amid speculation that it could be a takeover target for privately owned rival BCD Travel. One trader said: "BCD may be building a strategic stake but whether they bid or not is another story.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/21/cxmktrep121.xml

SCTN

"Foster's brewer Scottish & Newcastle put on 19½ to 807½p on rumours that rival brewer SABMiller was plotting an 850p-a-share counter-bid. However, after the market had closed, SABMiller said that it had "decided not to take further action". S&N has agreed to be bought by Carlsberg and Heineken for 800p per share. SABMiller shares closed 49p lower at £10.82."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/21/cxmktrep121.xml

NES

"Aim-listed NetStore jumped 5½p to 23½p after saying it had received a bid approach. A review of streamlining its four complex accounting systems into one continues, and the outcome is not yet certain, but it expects the result to be a significant reduction to previously reported pre-tax profit in accounting periods to 30 June 2007."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=430572&in_page_id=23&ct=5

LAD

"Ladbrokes, the betting and gambling company which was buoyed by mystery stake-building last week, was less successful yesterday. Investors had been pegging their hopes on a prospective takeover approach, and Apax, the private equity group which has been in the frame to bid for the company before, was touted as the most likely suitor. However yesterday, new reports suggested that the Bahamas-based billionaire Joe Lewis, not Apax, was behind the stake-building. The revelation quashed investor's hopes and the company's stock ended down 0.46 per cent at 326p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-fears-of-skeletons-in-the-results-spook-rbs-784433.html

LSE

"On the downside, the London Stock Exchange dropped 6.4 per cent to £15.64 as takeover hopes faded. The chairman of Borse Dubai was Tuesday reported as saying that the group would be willing to sell its stake to Qatar Investment Authority, a move that would in effect end any hope of a bidding war between the Middle Eastern investors."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dd2c6124-dec7-11dc-91d4-0000779fd2ac,s01=1.html

HRG

"Shares in business travel company Hogg Robinson gained 7 per cent to 61p Tuesday because of rumours it could be a takeover target for BCD, a family-owned rival with a large presence in the US travel market. Shortly before Christmas, Beverweerd Investments declared a 4.3 per cent holding in HR."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dd2c6124-dec7-11dc-91d4-0000779fd2ac,s01=1.html

MGCR, CKSN

" Strong results from Morgan Crucible, up 16½p to 213p, helped to raise its fellow mid-cap ceramics engineer Cookson, up 33p to 579p. Both are seen as tempting bid targets."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3400262.ece

LSE

" The London Stock Exchange fell 107p to £15.64 as prospects for a bid battle between its shareholders Qatar and Dubai faded after The Times’s report that they had reached a deal."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3400262.ece

NSR

"Private equity giant 3i is the front runner in the battle to take over Nestor Healthcare, which provides out-of-hours GP services. 3i has been in exclusive takeover talks with Nestor for a number of weeks, according to sources with knowledge of the situation."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/20/cxmktrep120.xml

GNC

"Irish sandwich maker Greencore added 3 cents to €4.08 on rumours of bid interest from Exista, the Icelandic investment group. Yet a source close to Exista told Reuters: "They haven't bought an 8pc stake in Greencore and they don't intend to buy Greencore.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/20/cxmktrep120.xml

NES

"IT security firm Netstore soared 5½ to 23½p after receiving several "early-stage" approaches from potential bidders. However, George O'Connor, an analyst at Panmure Gordon, warned that "any bid is likely to be tempered by news that reported figures have been overstated". He added: "Netstore has never delivered its potential and bids should be encouraged by all concerned.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/20/cxmktrep120.xml

MNR

"Elsewhere in the sector, Minerva edged up 3 to 127p on speculation that Morgan Stanley has been appointed to advise a potential bidder. One name in the frame again was LeFrak, the New York real estate developer."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/20/cxmktrep120.xml

SHB

"It downgraded Shaftesbury to underperform from in-line, saying that the probability of a bid from entrepreneurs Mike Ashley and Paul Kemsley - who are believed to have built a stake in the group - are slim. "Whilst we cannot rule them out from making an approach for the company we believe it unlikely, and any potential offer would have to be pitched at a very competitive level given the strong following the management has with its investors," Cazenove said."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/20/cxmktrep120.xml

XTA

"Xstrata fell against a rising mining sector amid suggestions that takeover talks with Vale, its Brazilian suitor, had hit a hurdle."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3400262.ece

GCAP

" Charles Allen’s Global Radio has come under pressure from key shareholders in GCap Media to increase its offer for the owner of Classic FM and Capital 95.8."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3399512.ece

RNK

"Although some traders believe that a bid for bingo-to-casino group Rank could be in the offing, Credit Suisse is not so convinced. It downgraded Rank from neutral to underperform as it remains concerned about the struggling bingo business."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/19/cxmktrep119.xml

PRU

"Insurance group Prudential rose 29 to 622p after the Bank of China said that it was looking to buy into a life insurer later this year. In recent weeks, Prudential shares have been boosted by ongoing speculation that various Chinese companies, including insurers Ping An and China Life, were mulling a stakebuilding operation or even a full takeover."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/19/cxmktrep119.xml

XTA

"Xstrata ticked up 67p to £39 after Brazilian suitor Vale successfully concluded iron ore negotiations with China's largest steelmakers, extracting a 65pc price increase. Vale's shares rose 6pc in Brazil, with analysts at Merrill Lynch commenting: "We believe this makes a bid for Xstrata more likely near-term, especially if part of the consideration for Xstrata is to be Vale shares.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/19/cxmktrep119.xml

CNP

"ClinPhone, which develops technology for clinical trials, rose 11.2p, or 13.3%, to 97.5p after it rejected a takeover approach by Parexel, a similar US firm. The group said the offer "materially" undervalued the company and its prospects."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/19/northernrock.banking5

PRU

"In fact, financial stocks generally had a good day yesterday, and none more than Prudential. Shares in the insurance group were up 29p at 622p. This came after comments made by Bank of China, which said it wanted to buy into a life insurer this year, having already held talks with some domestic firms on taking a stake."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/19/northernrock.banking5

PRU

"Prudential was marked 4.9 per cent higher at 622p after the Bank of China said it was actively looking to buy a life assurer this year."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1f4566b2-ddf8-11dc-9de3-0000779fd2ac.html

XTA

"Meanwhile, shares in Vale rose 6 per cent in early trading on the Sao Paulo stock exchange. Traders said the iron ore news, and iron production data, would help boost Vale’s stock price ahead of a possible bid for Xstrata, up 1.8 per cent to £39."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1f4566b2-ddf8-11dc-9de3-0000779fd2ac.html

AL.

"With the prospect of a bid from Santander, the Spanish owner of Abbey, now greatly reduced, the view in the market is that A&L does not deserve to trade on a multiple of more than one times book value. A&L shares closed 3.9 per cent higher at 545½p."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1f4566b2-ddf8-11dc-9de3-0000779fd2ac.html

IMI

"Talk that IMI, steady at 407½p, is a bid target refused to die. Traders said one rumoured predator, Honeywell, the American engineer, was due to report next week and may update on its overseas investment strategy."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3394114.ece

LAD

"Joe Lewis, the Bahamas-based British billionaire, is the mystery buyer behind a near-7 per cent stake in Ladbrokes, the UK's biggest bookmaker, The Times has learnt."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article3393264.ece

MAB

"Also on the FTSE 250, pub group Mitchells & Butlers was at the centre of speculation suggesting that it may be the subject of a bid from Blackstone and CVC Capital Partners, who may attempt to counter an offer by Punch Taverns, a rival pub company. The speculation helped lift M&B's shares by 2.25p to 445p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-barratt-demolishes-rumours-of-rights-issue-784047.html

LAD

"On the FTSE 250, profit taking and a reduction in Credit Suisse's target price for its stock hurt Ladbrokes, the betting and gaming group which was boosted by bid speculation last week. In a note on the sector, while upgrading its recommendation from "under-perform" to "neutral", Credit Suisse cut its target price to 350p, from 380p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-barratt-demolishes-rumours-of-rights-issue-784047.html

RIO

"Rio Tinto is right to play the Oliver Twist card and ask for more from bidder BHP Billiton. This is the bid that has everything: it's audacious, it's worth megabucks (the combined group would be valued at $350bn) and it features an intriguing intervention from a Chinese state investor - one of the big themes of this year. Best of all, it is shaping up to be a real ding-dong battle."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/17/mining.riotinto

GRM

"THE company behind the Gourmet Burger Kitchen restaurant chain is considering a sale of one or more of its other brands in an effort to stop its biggest shareholder launching a takeover bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article3380896.ece

RIO

" Tom Albanese remains calm in his defence against a £70bn bid from BHP Billiton"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/17/ccprof117.xml

MAB

"Tim Clarke, the chief executive of Mitchells & Butlers, the embattled pubs group, would be unlikely to stay on if the company completes an £11bn merger with Punch Taverns, The Sunday Telegraph has learned."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/17/cnmandb117.xml

ADM

"Admiral Group was buoyed by vague bid speculation and rose 12½p to 948p"

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3379454.ece

LAD

"Leisure group Ladbrokes added another 7.75p to 329p as talk of a possible 370p a share private equity bid refused to die down"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/16/marketforces.banking

LAD

"Leisure group Ladbrokes added another 7.75p to 329p as talk of a possible 370p a share private equity bid refused to die down"

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3379454.ece

FPM

"Faroe Petroleum rose 23½p to 163½p amid talk of stakebuilding and a potential bid from Dana Petroleum, 51p lower at £13.33, which owns blocks in the North Sea close to Faroe. 3i said that it had sold its 4 per cent stake to below the 3 per cent declarable level and Dana, which already has 17 per cent, is thought to be the buyer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3379455.ece

WTI

"Weatherley International, the Namibia-focused copper miner, rose 6¼p to 24¾p after revealing that it had received a takeover approach. This was good news for Philip Richard’s activist RAB Capital, fund which took its stake up from 15.7 per cent to 22 per cent in November at about 20p a share."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3379455.ece

NVE

"Novera Energy, the developer of power from wind, waste and landfill gas that has won approval for a 24MW wind farm at Lissett in Yorkshire, said that it had received a bid approach at 90p a share in cash. Its shares jumped to a high of 79p. Kaupthing, the broker, said in November that the shares were worth 101p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3379455.ece

WTI

"Weatherly International, a Namibia-focused miner, leapt 6¼ to 24¾p as it also received a bid approach."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/16/cxmktrep116.xml

NVE

"Wind farm developer Novera Energy jumped 16½ to 79p after receiving a 90p-a-share takeover approach that would value the company at around £167m, including debt."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/16/cxmktrep116.xml

LAD

"Elsewhere on the M&A front, betting group Ladbrokes continued to rise on speculation of a private equity bid. The shares gained 7¾ to 329p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/16/cxmktrep116.xml

FPM

"Faroe Petroleum, the prospector looking for oil off the Faroe Islands, leapt 23½ to 172½p after Dana Petroleum upped its stake in its smaller rival to 24.2pc. The move sparked speculation that Dana may make a bid for Faroe. The two companies have close links and Faroe's chief executive, Graham Stewart, is a former finance director of Dana. While Dana remained tight-lipped about its intentions, it is believed that Dana has not yet made an approach to Faroe. "A possible bid could not be ruled out at this stage," noted Phil Corbett, an analyst at ABN Amro. Dana shares dipped 51p to £13.33."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/16/cxmktrep116.xml

XTA

"Elsewhere in the mining sector, Xstrata ticked down 19p to £38.33 as market sources suggested that talks with Brazilian suitor Vale were being held up over price. Vale is not said to be keen to offer more than £40 a share, while Glencore, which owns an all-important 35pc stake in Xstrata, is rumoured to want something in the region of £45-£48."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/16/cxmktrep116.xml

XTA

"Vale, the Brazilian miner, and Glencore, Xstrata’s largest shareholder, are understood to be discussing terms for a possible £45 billion takeover of the British-listed miner."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3371874.ece

FPM

"Could Faroe Petroleum, the privatised former state oil company of the Faroes, be in the bid sights of Dana Petroleum, the explorer, which has blocks near its rival? About seven million shares, nearly 7 per cent of Faroe Petroleum, have changed hands in the past two days at 147p, with Dana, which has already built a 17 per cent stake, said to be the buyer. Faroe’s shares have edged up 8p over that time to 149p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3372144.ece

PHTM

"Photo-Me International gained another 4¼p to 34¼p on continued speculation that the former directors Philippe Wahl and Dan David would make a buyout bid. “The company’s better off private,” one trader said."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3372144.ece

IMI

"Rumours of a private equity bid continued to lift IMI, up 26p to 422p on high volume."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3372143.ece

LAD

"There was continued talk of a bid for Ladbrokes, which helped its shares rise 9p to 321¼p. However, Evolution, the broker, which has proposed a nil-premium merger with William Hill, up 15¾p at 408¾p, cautioned that the next news from Ladbrokes would show a slowdown in trading and its shares would then trade down to 250p – at the multiple already applied to Hill."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3372143.ece

XTA

"Xstrata rose 72p to £38.52 on rumours that Brazil’s Vale had offered £48 a share to Glencore for its 34 per cent stake."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3372143.ece

SBRY

"J Sainsbury was one of the top gainers amid talk that Robert Tchenguiz had off-loaded some of his stake to the supermarket group’s Qatari suitors."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3372143.ece

LAD

"Vague private equity bid rumours helped push up bookmaker Ladbrokes 2.9 per cent to 321¼p."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4ca2f720-dad1-11dc-9fdd-0000779fd2ac.html

IMI

"Engineering group IMI was back in focus on Thursday as bid rumours continued to circulate. Earlier this week, its shares rose sharply on talk of predatory interest from a private equity group. The shares jumped again on Thursday amid chatter that Honeywell, the US industrial conglomerate, was poised to make an offer for the Birminingham-based company."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4ca2f720-dad1-11dc-9fdd-0000779fd2ac.html

PDG

"Pendragon, the struggling car retailer, eased 1¾ to 34½p ahead of annual results next week. The shares have been buoyed by rumours of bid interest in recent weeks but analysts are sceptical. Robert Brent of KBC Peel Hunt said he was not convinced by the takeover talk "given Pendragon's weakening asset base and trading performance".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/14/cxmktrep114.xml

ERT

"Media group Entertainment Rights, which owns the rights to Postman Pat and Basil Brush, soared 47pc to 12½p on speculation that a bid may soon emerge. Last month, it confirmed that it was in takeover talks, with Saban Capital, the investment vehicle of Israeli media entrepreneur Haim Saban, and Chorion, a rival media group that is owned by private-equity firm 3i, believed to have expressed an interest."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/14/cxmktrep114.xml

LAD

"Betting group Ladbrokes ended 8½ stronger at 312¼p as vague rumours of stakebuilding and takeover interest surfaced once again."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/14/cxmktrep114.xml

IMI

"Investec cast doubt on the likelihood of an imminent bid for engineering group IMI. The broker said that any possible buyer is likely to wait until they know the outcome of the investigation into irregular payments at IMI's severe service division and the extent of any possible fine from the US Department of Justice. IMI shares gained ¼ to 39¼p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/14/cxmktrep114.xml

BIFF

"Waste disposal group Biffa edged down ¼ to 365¼p as investors remained divided over whether a counterbid would emerge. Biffa has agreed to a 350p-a-share offer from a private equity consortium led by Montagu but traders have suggested that rival private equity house Terra Firma or French industrial groups Suez and Veolia could yet come in with a higher offer. Taking into account the break fee payable to Montagu, "a serious counterbid would have to take place at around 400p," according to analysts at Société Générale. They downgraded Biffa to sell from buy, arguing that even trade buyers like Suez and Veolia would find it difficult to justify such a large bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/14/cxmktrep114.xml

MAB

"The US hedge fund QVT Financial raised its stake in Punch Taverns to seven per cent yesterday, as it stepped up its attempts to derail the pub company's proposed £4bn merger with Mitchells & Butlers (M&B)."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/qvt-raises-stake-in-punch-to-scupper-mb-merger-781548.html

OXB

"Among the small caps, Oxford Biomedica was buffeted by bid rumours for a second day. The company headed towards the top of the risers' board, up 13.7 per cent, as investors continued to speculate about a possible offer from Sanofi-Aventis. Analysts at Investec, while noting that "much of the value on which the share price is driven remains circumstantial", said that the prospective suitor would have to pay a "significant" premium to gain control of the company. Despite adding that, for now at least, "Sanofi would be better off waiting""

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-miners-lord-it-as-copper-and-platinum-spike-up-781550.html

XTA

"The sector-wide rally also helped lift Xstrata, which firmed 0.4 per cent to 3,819p despite reports suggesting that it had spurned a £40-per-share indicative offer from Vale, its Brazilian suitor. Most in the market were unsurprised by the news, noting that, if Vale had indeed made the approach at the price claimed, it was always likely to be rejected. One trader said that "unless [Vale] goes above £40, it would not get anywhere with Glencore," Xstrata's biggest shareholder."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-miners-lord-it-as-copper-and-platinum-spike-up-781550.html

PDG

"Finally, car dealer Pendragon accelerated 3.75p to 36.25p on renewed takeover talks, with Inchcape and Lex Service cited as possible suitors."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/13/marketforces

GCAP

"GCap Media, Britain's largest commercial radio group, added 7.25p to 191.5p after this week's strategy review. Privately owned rival Global Radio, headed by Charles Allen, recently had a 190p-a-share offer rejected, and yesterday reserved its right to increase its offer, or indeed walk away. Analysts at Cazenove said: "We see a new offer from Global Radio as relatively likely at or before the March 5 deadline and would encourage investors to accept a potential offer around the 190p level.""

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/13/marketforces

PNN

"Among the fallers was water group Pennon, down 13p to 651.5p after Goldman Sachs downgraded from neutral to sell. "In our view, Pennon's shares are pricing in significant scope for a bid at historic premiums, which we believe is no longer justified under the current credit market conditions," said Goldman's Jenny Ping and Andrew Mead."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/13/marketforces

GCAP

"Global Radio, owner of the Heart and Galaxy radio stations, said that it was keeping all its options open about a possible bid for GCap Media, its rival — including going higher than the 190p per share that it had mooted in an approach earlier this year."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/article3359793.ece

RNK

"Rank Group edged down ¾p to 98½p after JPMorgan said that although the chances of a bid were increasing, with Guoco the most likely buyer, a consumer downturn would hurt its casinos and investors should take profit above 110p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3360107.ece

RSL

"Even Resolution bounced 13½p to 685½p after its 44p fall on Monday triggered by Pearl, its predator, delaying its takeover. Traders said that FSA approval was a condition of the deal, so there is little to stop Pearl pulling out of its 720p bid – agreed when the market was stronger – and then offering much less a year later. Clive Cowdery, the Resolution chairman, sold his 3 per cent stake in December at about 708p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3360107.ece

OXB

"Pharmaceuticals firm Oxford Biomedica remained in demand amid continuing speculation of a bid from its major licensing partner, Sanofi-Aventis. The shares spiked 3¼ to 27p in very brisk trading, with 57m shares changing hands."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/13/cxmktrep113.xml

PNN

"Takeover speculation might be all the rage in the water sector, however Pennon dipped 13 to 651½p as Goldman Sachs downgraded it to sell from neutral, arguing that the market has already priced in a bid premium and that the shares could tumble if no actual deal emerges."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/13/cxmktrep113.xml

RNK

"Rank, the struggling casino and bingo hall group, eased ¾ to 98¾p as JP Morgan warned that the shares could slump by 20pc unless a takeover bid materialises. Thankfully for Rank investors, Adam Cochrane, an analyst at JP Morgan, believes that the probability of an external party making an offer for the company is increasing, with Malaysia's Guoco the most likely bidder."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/13/cxmktrep113.xml

SMIN

"Smiths Group, the diverse engineering and technology business that makes airport X-ray machines, continued to rise on hopes that it will be the target of a break-up bid. "We continue to believe that the new chief executive, Philip Bowman, will look to break the group up," explained Colin Crook, an analyst at UBS. "We believe there could be a number of potential industry buyers for the various Smiths businesses and each could be prepared to pay a premium for some of the potential synergies." The shares closed 33 higher at 966p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/13/cxmktrep113.xml

MAB

"QVT Financial, the hedge fund threatening to oppose Punch Taverns' proposed merger with rival pub group Mitchells & Butlers, upped its stake to 7.05pc. Punch shares ended 28½ stronger at 641p, while M&B closed 16¾ better at 454¾p. Mark Brumby, an analyst at Blue Oar Securities, noted: "No one has been granted access to M&B's books and the company will be awaiting further approaches.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/13/cxmktrep113.xml

IMI

"IMI, another mid-cap engineering company, put on 13¾ to 380¾p amid hopes that it could become the next takeover target in the sector."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/12/cxmktrep112.xml

OXB

"On the FTSE Smallcap index, Oxford Biomedica saw its share price climb to 23.75p, gaining a spectacular 26.67 per cent or 5p. The surge was born of rumours suggesting that Sanofi-Aventis, Oxford Biomedica's partner in the development and commercialisation of TroVax, its cancer treatment drug, may soon mount a bid for the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-taylor-wimpey-knocked-by-bearish-goldman-781103.html

FKI

"On the FTSE 250, which lost 0.74 per cent to 9,735.4, continuing bid speculation took the engineering group FKI to the top of the day's best-performing stocks. The company, which received an indicative 70p- per-share offer from Melrose just over a week ago, is believed to be in talks with the private equity group Blackstone, which may mount its own bid for FKI."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-taylor-wimpey-knocked-by-bearish-goldman-781103.html

OXB

"Sanofi Aventis, the French pharmaceutical group, releases its full year results today and investors will be looking for any hint or indication of a potential interest in Oxford BioMedica. Rumours are rife that Sanofi is interested in acquiring the UK-listed biopharmaceutical firm, whose shares yesterday rose 5p, or 26.7%, to 23.75p"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/12/marketforces

FP.

"Friends Provident, meanwhile, was up 0.7p at 131.9p after reports that it had received a new approach from US private equity firm JC Flowers."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/12/marketforces

RSL

"Resolution, the insurer, was the top loser as it revealed that Pearl had delayed its acquisition for another three weeks. The group said Pearl had agreed to an extension of the timetable with the Financial Services Authority. Shares in Resolution fell 44p to 672p as investors worried this could derail the deal."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/12/marketforces

FKI, IMI

"FKI rose 5¾p to 70½p, just above its 70p offer from Melrose, on reports that Blackstone might offer 90p to 95p. This fed speculation of a private equity bid for fellow mid-cap engineer IMI, up 13¾p to 380¾p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3353395.ece

RSL

"Resolution was the worst blue-chip performer, down 44p at 672p, hit by worries that the 720p-a-share takeover by Hugh Osmond’s Pearl Assurance could be scuppered at the eleventh hour by the Financial Services Authority."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3353395.ece

OXB

"Pharmaceuticals firm Oxford Biomedica soared 5 to 23¾p on speculation that it could be taken over by partner Sanofi-Aventis. However, it is not thought that Sanofi-Aventis has any imminent plans to make a bid for the company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/12/cxmktrep112.xml

NWG

"Utility Northumbrian Water moved up 5 to 347p after UBS suggested once more that it was a "highly likely takeover candidate". Analyst Daniel Stillit noted that three water companies have been bought out during the credit crisis at attractive valuations (Southern Water, Kelda and Staffordshire Water) and that Northumbrian is the most likely company to go next. He sees a potential takeover valuation of 426p per share."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/12/cxmktrep112.xml

FKI

"Engineering group FKI jumped 5¾ to 70½p on speculation that Blackstone, the US private equity giant, was mulling a 90p-95p bid. Melrose, an engineering investment group, has already tabled a 70p-a-share proposal for FKI, which has seen its share price collapse in the market sell-off."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/12/cxmktrep112.xml

FP.

"It was a different story for life insurer Friends Provident, which gained 0.7 to 131.9p amid talk that JC Flowers, the US private equity house that is considering a bid for Friends, might be willing to pay more than its initial approach of 175p a share. While the board of Friends Provident has so far rebuffed Flowers' interest, analysts believe that shareholders could pressure the group to open talks."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/12/cxmktrep112.xml