CPH

"Clapham House, owner of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Tootsies chains, added 2.5p to 173p after a positive update yesterday. But the rise was not just due to trading. Dresdner Kleinwort said: "We believe the shares will be driven by bid speculation given [private equity group] Capricorn's 25% holding"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/29/tateandlyle.marketforces

SLN

"Bid speculation continued around Silence Therapeutics, up 6½p to 45½p, after Thursday's results. It has two separate deals with AstraZeneca."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3642842.ece

CIV

"Civica has become the latest provider of software to the public sector to fall to a bid, its shares soaring 65p to 267p after it agreed a 270p cash offer from management backed by 3i."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3642842.ece

PAY

"Citigroup said that strong cashflows at Paypoint, the cash card processor, down 3p at 565p, mean it could be a bid target for the US payment processor Euronet Worldwide."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3642838.ece

MAB

"Punch Taverns was one of the strongest FTSE 250 performers, up 35½p at 554p after it announced that it had been approached by a number of parties about a joint bid for Mitchells & Butlers, up 13p to 342½p, which it would assess, but that it would drop its own bid plan."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3642838.ece

PRU

"Renewed bid hopes lifted life assurer Prudential 10½ to 672½p. China Reinsurance, the country's top reinsurer which is planning to float this year, said it expects international business to make up a third of its revenues by 2010, partly through acquisitions."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?grid=&xml=/money/2008/03/29/cxmktrep129.xml

MAY

"Talks that could have led to a takeover offer for Mapeley, the £450 million property company, have collapsed."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/construction_and_property/article3642520.ece

MAB

"The chances of a takeover of Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the embattled All Bar One and Ember Inns operator, receded yesterday after the withdrawal of a merger proposal by Punch Taverns. "

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article3642772.ece

MAB

"Top executives at Mitchells & Butlers have come under fire from shareholders and rival bidders for "dragging their feet" during takeover talks after Punch Taverns withdrew a merger offer for its embattled rival."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/29/cnpunch129.xml

FP.

"US private equity firm JC Flowers has made a fresh £3.6bn takeover approach for life assurer Friends Provident."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/29/cnfriends129.xml

ARA

"Elsewhere, Ardana, Edinburgh-based specialist pharmaceutical company, soared by a spectacular 89.47 per cent or 8.50p to 18.50p after announcing that it had received a 'number of approaches' which may lead to an offer for the company. Ardana stressed that the talks were still at an early stage, and that an offer may not materialise."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-chinese-whispers-lift-prudential-once-again-801788.html

FKI

"The mid-cap engineering group FKI was up 1.75p to 69p as rumours about the ongoing bid situation surfaced late in the afternoon. The talk suggested that Melrose, which made a revised, indicative offer of approximately 83p a share for FKI earlier this month, was getting ready to formalise its offer."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-chinese-whispers-lift-prudential-once-again-801788.html

BGY

"Rumours that the German utility RWE is about to make an 800p a share bid for British Energy also re-surfaced. However, traders were sceptical on both counts, noting that reheated speculation typically did the rounds on a slow day."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-chinese-whispers-lift-prudential-once-again-801788.html

PRU

"Rumours about Prudential and British Energy brought some excitement to the market yesterday, with early morning talk suggesting that China Life, which has been linked to Prudential in the past, is finally about to make its move."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-chinese-whispers-lift-prudential-once-again-801788.html

ENO

"Enodis, seen as a bid target for Manitowoc of the US, lost 9p to 142½p after it gave warning of “a degree of softness” in parts of its US market."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3636056.ece

PRU

"Prudential gained 9p to 662p on reports of a bid or stakebuilding from China Life. Ping An has been seen as a potential stakebuilder."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3636056.ece

FKI

"FKI, the engineering group which is the subject of a £500m indicative offer from buyout specialist Melrose, crept up 1¾ to 69p on continued hopes that a rival offer could be pitched for the company. Earlier this month, The Sunday Telegraph revealed US private equity company Blackstone had hired Credit Suisse to examine a counterbid for the debt-laden company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/28/cxmktrep.128.xml

PRU

"Dealers focused once again on Prudential, with the shares ticking up 9 to 662p on rumours that China Life, the country's largest insurer by premiums, could be a predator. Over the past few months, speculation has mounted that the life assurer could be a bid target, with predators thought to be attracted by its strong growth in China."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/28/cxmktrep.128.xml

HICH

"London’s oldest independent stock-broking company may chalk up another historic landmark this weekend by becoming the first British financial firm to sell up to an Indian buyer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3635103.ece

ENO

"Enodis, the catering equipment maker, advanced 5.2 per cent to 151½p in above average trading volume of 4m shares on rumours of fresh takeover talks with US rival Manitowoc."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c8c7bac-fb05-11dc-8c3e-000077b07658.html

XTA

"Vale’s $90 billion (£45 billion) takeover approach to Xstrata, its fellow miner, has collapsed."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3621555.ece

IGR

"On AIM, vague bid talk surrounded Christmas card and gift wrap maker International Greetings. The rumours were thin on the ground, bearing no clues about the level of the prospective offer, nor any indication about the identity of the suitor. Despite the lack of detail, the company's share price rose by 12 per cent or 2.25p to 21p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-lonmin-in-spotlight-after-xstratavale-talks-end-801245.html

ENO

"Food equipment group Enodis climbed by 7.50p to 151.50p following speculation regarding Manitowoc, the US construction equipment marker. Manitowoc has attempted to acquire Enodis in the past, and yesterday the chatter suggested that it was about to return with another offer the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-lonmin-in-spotlight-after-xstratavale-talks-end-801245.html

AAL

"Vale's exit also focused attention on Anglo American, which has often been touted as a likely candidate for a merger with Xstrata."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-lonmin-in-spotlight-after-xstratavale-talks-end-801245.html

LMI

"According to analysts at FinnCap, Xstrata may go for the South Africa-based Lonmin, the world's third-largest primary platinum producer."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-lonmin-in-spotlight-after-xstratavale-talks-end-801245.html

RIO

"There was more mining merger news from Rio Tinto, which rose 1.3% to £50.50 after it rejected BHP Billiton's $147bn (£73bn) hostile takeover offer. BHP ended up 1.4% at £14.50."

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

BGY

"Talk of an 800p a share offer from RWE supported British Energy, off just 0.1 per cent at 660p."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c8c7bac-fb05-11dc-8c3e-000077b07658.html

LSE

"Bid rumours helped the London Stock Exchange rise 3.8 per cent to £12.58."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c8c7bac-fb05-11dc-8c3e-000077b07658.html

LMI, AAL

"The collapse of the Xstrata deal had a positive affect on the rest of the sector. Analysts said Xstrata could now turn its attention to other deals such as acquiring Lonmin, up 2.5 per cent to £31.01, or a reverse takeover of Anglo American, up 3.6 per cent to £29.45."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c8c7bac-fb05-11dc-8c3e-000077b07658.html

SHI

"SIG, the specialist insulation and roofing group, was in focus on Wednesday as takeover rumours circulated. Its shares gained 3.9 per cent to 846½p amid talk that it could be a target for a continental rival. One name in the frame was Saint Gobain, the French building materials group that owns plasterboard maker BPB in the UK."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c8c7bac-fb05-11dc-8c3e-000077b07658.html

ENO

"Enodis, which makes cooking equipment for fast-food chain McDonald's, was in demand amid renewed speculation that Manitowoc, the US cranes-to-fridges manufacturer, was considering returning with another bid. The shares closed 7½ higher at 151½p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/27/cxmktrep127.xml

XTA

"The mining sector was in focus after the drawn-out takeover talks between Xstrata and Brazilian suitor Vale finally collapsed. Xstrata shares slid 194p to £35.22, leaving a number of hedge funds who had been betting on a successful takeover with bloody noses."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/27/cxmktrep127.xml

GCAP

"Global Radio, the group chaired by former ITV boss Charles Allen, has been given five more days to make a formal offer for the UK's largest radio company, GCap Media."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/27/cngcap127.xml

ENO

"Enodis, the maker of pots, pans and ovens for restaurant chains such as McDonald's, jumped 7p to 151p on talk that Manitowoc, the US commercial fridge maker, which abandoned a bid a year ago, might be ready to launch a new one. Since the last attempt at 220p, Enodis shares have been punished much more than those of Manitowoc."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3628213.ece

BGY

"A move on nuclear power generator British Energy is expected shortly, and that was behind today's rise in the share price of 39½p to 660½p, valuing the company at almost £7bn."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/tips-and-tactics/article.html?in_article_id=434172&in_page_id=23&ct=5

RNK

"Rank, the casino and bingo hall group, firmed 2¾ to 91¼p after Guoco, the Malaysian leisure group, increased its stake once more, taking its holding to 9pc. Genting, another Malaysian gaming group, has built an 11pc stake in Rank. There has been speculation that either group could mount a bid for Rank, in an attempt to get hold of its lucrative casino licences."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/26/cxmktrep126.xml

SEG

"SCi Entertainment, the ailing publisher of the Lara Croft computer games, moved up 2½ to 39½p amid speculation that it was being eyed up by Infogrames, the French video games group that owns Atari. One story doing the rounds suggested that Infogrames was mulling a possible one-for-eight all-share offer that would value SCi at around 110p per share."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/26/cxmktrep126.xml

PFCPF

"Vague bid talk helped Petrofac, the oil services group, to rise 48½p to 565p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3622129.ece

RDW

"Redrow, up 12.5 per cent to 303¾p, was among the top performers in a strong housebuilding sector. On Thursday, Martin Hughes’ Tosca fund declared a 9.7 per cent stake in the company, which is seen as a possible takeover target for one of its peers."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9780f4cc-fa57-11dc-aa46-000077b07658.html

SHP

"Just five FTSE 100 stocks closed lower. Among them were Shire, which eased 0.4 per cent to £10.36 on profit taking and fading takeover hopes."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9780f4cc-fa57-11dc-aa46-000077b07658.html

PRG

"Premier Research, the provider of contract clinical trial research, rose 6½p to 95½p after agreeing a 100p a share bid from management backed by ECI, the private equity house."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3594247.ece

DOO

"Karl Watkin helped to lift shares in struggling D1 Oils, the jatropha biofuel company that he founded, by saying that he may bid for it or either sell or increase his stake."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3594247.ece

RDW

"Redrow, seen as a bid target, rose 7½p to 270p after the activist Toscafund disclosed a 9.68 per cent stake."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3594241.ece

EXR

"Expro rose 67p to £12.00, as traders did not want to be short in case a bid from Candover is agreed over Easter."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3594241.ece

DEB

"In the FTSE 250, short-sellers closed out of Debenhams, up 9p to 68p, even though UBS cut its price target to 55p and said there was a risk of a rights issue to avoid breach of bank covenants. There is the chance of a bid from the shareholder Baugur or the Middle Eastern group Landmark."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3594241.ece

RSL

"Resolution rose 3½p to 678½p despite revealing that Pearl’s acquisition at 720p would be delayed until after April. Traders believe that there is still a chance the deal will collapse."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3594241.ece

FPM

"On AIM, shares in Faroe Petroleum climbed by 2.65 per cent or 3.75p to 145.25p as news emerged that Dana Petroleum had lifted its stake in the company to 27.53 per cent. Dana's chairman, Colin Robert Goodall, also chairs Parkmead, the London-based merchant bank which holds a 2.78 per cent stake in Faroe."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-yell-falls-on-fears-over-its-banking-covenants-798422.html

SHB

"On the FTSE 250, property company Shaftesbury was up by 0.98 per cent or 5.50p to 566p. Following weekend news reports that activist investor Laxey Partners, acting for its AIM-listed Terra Catalyst Fund, had assumed control of an almost 12 per cent stake in the company, market speculation suggested that a bid was in offing."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-yell-falls-on-fears-over-its-banking-covenants-798422.html

HRG

"Hogg Robinson, the business travel agency, slid 11½p to 41½p after saying that full-year earnings would be hit by poor trading. This may dim the prospect of a bid by BCD, its Dutch rival."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3587387.ece

PWS

"Pinewood Studios soared 14½p to 232½p amid news that Peel Holdings had raised its stake to 20.3 per cent after the close on Tuesday. It is thought that SVG Capital, a shareholder, would join a take-private bid at the right price – about 400p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3587387.ece

FPM

"A bid for Faroe Petroleum, up 3¾p at 145¼p, looked increasingly likely as Dana Petroleum, its rival oil explorer, increased its stake to just below the threshold that would trigger an automatic takeover offer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3587387.ece

PWS

"John Whittaker, the billionaire owner of Peel Holdings, the property group, has raised his stake in Pinewood Studios, home of the James Bond and Harry Potter movies, from 10.9 per cent to 20.25 per cent. The rumour is that the move is ahead of a bid by Mr Whittaker, who is developing a broadcast studio and office complex called MediaCity in Manchester."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3579212.ece

PGS

"PSG Solutions, the property survey and home information pack company, steady at 70p, has rallied from 59p in the past two weeks. There is talk that the shareholder Vincent Tchenguiz is keen to mount a buyout bid, although it is uncertain whether he will win the necessary backing of Bob Morton, who holds about 20 per cent."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3587332.ece

FPM

"Oil prospector Faroe Petroleum gained 3¾ to 145¼p after its larger rival, Dana Petroleum, increased its stake to 27.5pc, renewing speculation that it could make a full takeover bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/20/cxmktrep120.xml

UVEL

"Univision Engineering, a Hong Kong-based designer and installer of CCTV systems, is believed to have received a £19m bid approach from an unnamed US suitor, writes Ben Bland. Market sources said that the company had received a takeover proposal thought to be in the region of 5p a share. Univision closed unchanged at 1.5p, valuing the company at £5.8m."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/20/cxmktrep120.xml

MDX

"Meldex International ticked up a further 1½ to 77¼p on hopes that a bid for the pharmaceutical company will be launched shortly. One incredibly bullish story went that titan GlaxoSmithKline could be a potential bidder. In January, Meldex said it had received an approach."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/20/cxmktrep120.xml

SHP

"The pharmaceuticals group Shire rose 61.5p to £10.60 on continuing takeover hopes. Its US rival Pfizer had been tipped as one potential predator, and yesterday analysts at the Swiss bank UBS suggested AstraZeneca, up 41p to £17.89, could also be interested."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/19/marketforces

RTN

"On the FTSE 250, Restaurant Group gained 7.75p to 146p. Market speculation suggested that the owner of the Garfunkel's and Chiquito-branded restaurant chains was subject to some stake-building by the rival group Tragus, the company behind Café Rouge, or Gondola Holdings, which owns the Pizza Express and Ask-branded restaurant chains."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-astrazeneca-bid-talk-helps-to-lift-shire-higher-797812.html

SHP

"Shire Pharmaceuticals was the focus of bid talk again yesterday. Last week, the company's share price gained almost 5 per cent after the market played host to rumours that Pfizer, the American drugs giant, was mulling a £13-per-share offer. Last night, the talk shifted to AstraZeneca, another drugs giant which has also been pegged as a likely bidder"

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-astrazeneca-bid-talk-helps-to-lift-shire-higher-797812.html

SHP

"Shire rose 62p to £10.60 after UBS said AstraZeneca could bid for the smaller drug group at a 40 per cent premium – £14.25 in cash – and still create value. It doubted that Pfizer would be interested."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3579212.ece

SHP

"Drugs giant Shire Pharmaceuticals was given a much needed boost after UBS said Anglo-Swedish peer AstraZeneca could afford to pay up to £14.25 a share in cash for the business and still create value."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/19/cxmktrep119.xml

MDX

"Among the tiddlers, Meldex International jumped 7¾ to 75¾p on hopes that a bid for the pharmaceutical company will be launched shortly."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/19/cxmktrep119.xml

NSAM

"The bulls said that at these levels, New Star Asset Management could become a takeover target although its suggested predator - F&C Asset Management - is tied up itself as Friends Provident has put its 52pc stake in the company up for sale. Other dealers suggested that perhaps Henderson Group might make a new home for the business. New Star recovered 6¼ to 89¾p"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/19/cxmktrep119.xml

FLO

"Growing hope of a bid for Flomerics, a supplier of simulation software, helped its shares to jump another 22p to 84p as Mentor Graphics, the Nasdaq-listed design software group, which bought 20 per cent on Monday, acquired a further 6 per cent at 104p, a big premium and setting a floor to any offer price."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3579222.ece

BGY

"Shares in British Energy jumped nearly 12% this morning after the nuclear power station operator confirmed that it was in talks about a takeover or merger."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/17/britishenergygroupbusiness.nuclear

PRG

"Premier Research was also up, gaining 22.22 per cent or 16p to 88p. The pharmaceuticals services group was up after saying that it was in the final stage of agreeing a 100p-per-share offer for the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-mitchells--butlers-left-bruised-in-selloff-797208.html

MAB

"Mitchells & Butlers was among the afternoon's victims: nervous investors, clinging on to hopes of a deal with the rival publican Punch Taverns, were worried following early talk which suggested that a merger was less likely by the day."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-mitchells--butlers-left-bruised-in-selloff-797208.html

MAY

"Property company Mapeley, which announced takeover talks at the end of last month, yesterday said these were continuing. But it added that "there can be no certainty any offer will be made", which was enough to spook the market and send the shares 146p lower to £16.20. Traders believe the potential bidder is US investment group Fortress, which already owns nearly 50%."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/18/marketforces

MAB

"Pubs group Mitchells & Butlers - which has been approached by rival Punch Taverns - was one, falling 41.25p to 335.75p. Punch lost 47p to 522.5p. Analyst Douglas Jack at Panmure Gordon said: "M&B's management does not appear enthusiastic over Punch's merger proposal, even though the deal values M&B equity at 437p per share (395p equity and 42p cash). We believe that Punch, like almost a third of its shareholder base, is becoming less enthusiastic on the potentially 20% earnings dilutive transaction."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/18/marketforces

BGY

"But even in yesterday's market meltdown, there were a few bright spots. British Energy added 64p to 635.5p as it admitted to talking about a possible takeover. Centrica, down 5.5p at 299.75p, Germany's RWE and France's EDF have been mentioned as possible predators."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/18/marketforces

MAB

"In the FTSE 250 Mitchells & Butlers lost 41¼p to 335¾p amid fading hopes of a bid from Punch. M&B management has been talking up its prospects as an independent company, leaving little room for a takeover. Panmure Gordon cut to “sell”."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3572645.ece

SHP

"Shire rose 8p to 998p amid continuing talk of bid interest from Pfizer and British Energy added 64p to close at 635½p after it said that it was in talks with a number of parties about a takeover. "

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3572645.ece

PRG

"Premier Research, which helps drug companies reduce the costs of clinical trials, soared 16 to 88p after saying it was close to agreeing to a 100p-a-share takeover bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/18/cxmktrep118.xml

NVE

"Novera Energy, which generates electricity from the gas emitted by landfill sites, gained 4½ to 88p after revealing that it has received a counter-bid approach from Infinis, a rival renewable energy firm owned by Terra Firma, Guy Hands' private equity house."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/18/cxmktrep118.xml

MAY

"Mapeley, the property management group that is believed to be in bid talks with US hedge fund and majority shareholder Fortress, fell 146p to £16.20."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/18/cxmktrep118.xml

MAB

"Pub group Mitchells & Butlers, which has been approached by rival Punch Taverns as well as several private equity groups, slid 41¼ to 335¾p. Douglas Jack, an analyst at Panmure Gordon, said that there was a "decreasing chance of takeover". He added: "M&B's management does not appear enthusiastic over Punch's merger proposal. The alternative of a private equity bid appears remote in the current environment.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/18/cxmktrep118.xml

SCTN

"Scottish & Newcastle shed 13½ to 771½p even though Carlsberg, which has agreed to buy the Foster's brewer for 800p a share, insisted: "We are not in the least worried about the financing.""

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/18/cxmktrep118.xml

SHP

"Shire, Britain's third-largest pharmaceuticals group, put on 8 to 998p on the back of continuing speculation that Viagra-maker Pfizer had asked banker Lazard to look at a possible bid. GlaxoSmithKline gained 15p to £10.16 as traders suggested that drug companies were a relative safe haven."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/18/cxmktrep118.xml

BGY

"British Energy is in talks with a number of rivals, which could lead to a tie-up or a takeover offer that some say would value the country's main nuclear power generator at more than £7bn."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/18/britishenergygroupbusiness.oil

XTA

"In the mining sector, shares in Xstrata rose on the back of fresh speculation about a deal with Vale, the Brazilian mining group, which has been working on a takeover offer for the company. Market sources said Vale had already, or was close to, winning the assent of Glencore, a major share holder in Xstrata. The talk also suggested a deal could be announced as early as this weekend, or in the first few days of next week. Xstrata climbed by 0.43 per cent, or 17p, to 3,938p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-shire-fizzes-higher-on-pfizer-bid-speculation-796292.html

SHP

"The pharmaceuticals company Shire, a perennial target of takeover talk, was buoyed by renewed bid speculation yesterday. The US drugs giant Pfizer was reported to be considering a £13-per- share offer for its smaller British peer. Investors were excited and Shire's stock soared to an early intra-day high of 1,035p – an increase of 92p, or almost 10 per cent, on Thursday's closing price."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-shire-fizzes-higher-on-pfizer-bid-speculation-796292.html

SHP

"Pharmaceuticals group Shire jumped 47p to 990p, making it the biggest riser in the leading index, on talk that Pfizer could be planning a £13-a-share offer. More than 17m shares were traded, compared with the recent daily average of about 7m."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/15/pharmaceuticals.banking

TMN

"TMN, the online advertising agency, rose 4½p to 55½p after it said that it had received several more approaches since Michael Green’s Tangent Communications vehicle made an offer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3556822.ece

XTA

"Rumours that JPMorgan Cazenove, the broker for Xstrata, had agreed a sale to Vale, of Brazil, at £42 a share and similar reports from the Brazilian press helped to keep Xstrata, up 17p at £39.38, and the mining sector rising."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3556814.ece

SHP

"Shire was the top FTSE 100 gainer yesterday amid talk of a £7.25 billion bid from Pfizer, the American pharmaceutical giant. A price of £13 a share was mentioned, probably because this was the peak that Shire reached in September before worries over slow US sales of its Vyvanse hyperactivity drug dragged it down. "

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3556814.ece

AGA

"AGA Foodservice Group will face a takeover bid from pension fund investor Edmund Truell in the next six months, analysts said, as the group pledged to return £140m to shareholders at the end of May."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/15/cnaga115.xml

SHP

"US drug giant Pfizer is evaluating a bid for the UK's third largest pharmaceutical company Shire. Pfizer chief executive Jeffrey Kindler is understood to have appointed Lazard to work on a bid although no decision has been taken by the board as to whether to make an offer."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/15/cnshire115.xml

SHP

"The UK's third largest drug company Shire saw its shares spike almost 10pc today as the market reacted to rumours of a £13 per share bid being prepared by rival pharmaceutical giant Pfizer."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/14/bcnshire114.xml

SHB

"Shaftesbury, the central London property group that owns much of Carnaby Street, firmed 9 to 573p amid rumours that it being eyed up by a number of predators. Traders said that its premium West End property portfolio would be attractive to a number of Middle Eastern buyers."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/15/cxmktrep115.xml

SHP

"Shire, Britain's third-largest pharmaceuticals group, was the stand-out performer, jumping 47 to 990p on speculation that Pfizer, the US group that developed Viagra, was eyeing a bid. Rumours suggested that Pfizer had appointed bankers to examine a possible takeover of Shire. One story doing the rounds was that a bid might come at around £13 a share."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/15/cxmktrep115.xml

CHS

"Chrysalis EMI has edged closer to winning Chrysalis, one of Britain’s last big independent music groups, as it emerged that Warner Music, its US rival, had been sidelined. The auction is expected to see Chrysalis valued at about £170 million."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/article3550112.ece

HOR

"The Dublin and London-listed Horizon Technology also had a good day, seeing its shares soar by 35.75p, or 107.5 per cent, to 69p after saying that it had been approached regarding a possible €1.18-per-share offer for the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-wolseley-plunges-as-brokers-turn-bearish-795754.html

KAZ

"Kazakhmys, on the other hand, was down 35p to 1,745p after saying that it had not received a formal approach from its Kazakh peer ENRC, which had its promotion to the FTSE 100 confirmed after the market closed on Wednesday."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-wolseley-plunges-as-brokers-turn-bearish-795754.html

BGY, SSE

"Scottish & Southern Energy was up 36p at £14.56 on vague talk that RWE may be bidding. RWE was on Wednesday a rumoured predator for British Energy, down 14½p at 573p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3549893.ece

XTA

"Xstrata was one of the few gainers, up 68p at £39.21 on hope that a takeover by Vale can be rescued. Bosses of Vale, Xstrata and its main shareholder, Glencore, were believed to be meeting in Brazil for the first time since talks stalled two weeks ago in a last-ditch attempt to thrash out an agreement."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3549893.ece

AGA

"Aga Foodservice, maker of the iconic cookers, eased 7½ to 295p despite Credit Suisse arguing that it was "increasingly being convinced" that Edmund Truell, the pension buyout specialist, was likely to bid for the group in the next six months."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/14/cxmktrep114.xml

XTA

"Mining giant Xstrata moved up 68p to £39.21 on speculation that talks between Brazilian suitor Vale and Glencore, the Swiss commodity trader that owns 35pc of Xstrata, were close to a successful outcome. The latest rumours suggested that Vale may offer £42 a share for Xstrata."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/14/cxmktrep114.xml

BGY, SSE

"Following Wednesday's talk that RWE, the German utility group, was looking at British Energy, the tale doing the rounds yesterday was that RWE had turned its attention to Scottish & Southern Energy, up 36p to £14.56. But analysts were sceptical, pointing out that the energy sector was in demand because the much-feared windfall tax did not materialise in the Budget."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/14/cxmktrep114.xml

TSL

"On AIM, Tissue Science Laboratories, the Hampshire-based medical device specialist, gained a spectacular 84.55 per cent or 46.50p to 101.50p after announcing a recommended 103.5p cash offer from Covidien, the $10bn global healthcare products giant spun out of US-based Tyco International. Investors were heartened by the premium – Covidien is offering almost 72 per cent more than TSL's average closing price over the last six months."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-prudential-gains-after-bid-speculation-returns-795029.html

CAL

"On the FTSE 250, the commercial property company Capital & Regional was the focus of some mid-morning speculation. The rumours suggested that the company, which saw its shares soar after it surprised the market with better-than-expected preliminary results on Tuesday, had been, or was likely to be, approached by a suitor. The former chief executive Martin Barber was mooted as a likely bidder, and the company's stock reach an intra-day high of 594.50p, up 41.50p. Later in the day, as the shares shed some gains, sources close to Capital & Regional suggested the contrary, and it is understood that the company has not received any approach yet. The company's stock closed down 0.50p at 552.50p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-prudential-gains-after-bid-speculation-returns-795029.html

PRU

"The life insurance giant Prudential was the focus of some vague bid speculation yesterday. Early-morning murmurs suggested that the bid was in the offing, taking the company's shares to an intra-day high of 668.50p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-prudential-gains-after-bid-speculation-returns-795029.html

BGY

"British Energy rose 15½p to 587½p amid vague takeover talk. Although Centrica, which rose 1p to 311½p, has been cited as a predator, the rumour yesterday was that RWE, the German owner of npower, was on the prowl."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3542812.ece

CPH

"Clapham House, the restaurant group that owns Gourmet Burger Kitchen, moved up 7½ to 196p even though analysts questioned whether the rumoured break-up was the right way forward."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/13/cxmktrep113.xml

TSL

"TissueScience, which treats pig skin so it can be used in human hernia operations, surged 46½ to 101½p after agreeing to a £38m, 103½p-per-share takeover by Covidien, the US medical group."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/13/cxmktrep113.xml

IMP

"Recruitment firm Imprint eased 3¾ to 110¼p as it indicated that it would recommend the 115p-a-share offer from Irish rival Premier."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/13/cxmktrep113.xml

CAL

"Property group Capital & Regional ticked down ½ to 552½p despite ongoing bid talk. The latest rumour was that recently departed chief executive Martin Barber was eyeing a possible buyout."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/13/cxmktrep113.xml

ERM

"Euromoney Institutional Investor, the business magazine publisher, jumped 32¼ to 356¼p amid rumours that 65pc shareholder Daily Mail & General Trust might look to buy out the rest of the company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/13/cxmktrep113.xml

BGY

"Elsewhere, nuclear power generator British Energy closed 15½ higher at 587½p, having spiked up in the afternoon on speculation of bid interest from RWE, the German utility group."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/13/cxmktrep113.xml

KAZ

"Kazakhmys soared 245p to £17.80 after Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation revealed that it was considering a bid for its fellow Kazakhstani miner. The talks are not believed to have moved beyond the informal stages but the company was forced into making an announcement by the Takeover Panel after growing market talk of a possible deal."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/13/cxmktrep113.xml

KAZ

"Takeover speculation gave a further boost to the buoyant mining sector yesterday as two big London-listed companies with core operations in Kazakhstan joined the long list of groups contemplating mergers amid the boom in global commodity prices."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/12/kazakhmys

KAZ

"ENRC, the miner that will enter the FTSE 100 this month, is in talks to buy its domestic rival Kazakhmys in a deal that would bring together Kazakhstan's two largest companies and create a central Asia mining giant."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/rival-miners-in-talks-to-create-kazakhstan-national-champion-795055.html

KAZ

"Kazakh mining group Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC) said it had held informal talks with rival Kazakhmys over a possible takeover bid that could create a national Kazakh mining major worth more than £20bn."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/13/cnkaz113.xml

CPH

"Clapham House Group, the restaurant operator behind the Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Tootsies chains, is understood to have received private equity approaches both for its individual brands and the company as a whole. "

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article3533102.ece

KAZ

"Kazakhmys, the FTSE-listed copper miner, is expected to make a statement to the London Stock Exchange today denying claims that it has held informal takeover talks with another Kazakh mining giant over a proposed £18 billion deal."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3542494.ece

CDN

"Stephen Dattels, the Canadian lawyer who left Caledon Resources as executive chairman three years ago, has returned as a rebel investor and may try to oust the man who replaced him. Polo Resources, Mr Dattels’s AIM-listed Mongolian coal explorer (down ¼p at 13¼p), has built a 7 per cent stake in Caledon and is thought to be aiming to buy 10 per cent so that he can call an extraordinary meeting to remove Robert Alford, the chairman, and nonexecutive directors. A takeover bid could also be on the cards."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3542821.ece

FP.

"Friends Provident has called on JC Flowers, the US private investment firm which has expressed an interest in buying the company, to put up or shut up because the uncertainty is damaging its business."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/friends-calls-on-jc-flowers-to-end-uncertainty-over-bid-794557.html

FP.

"Friends Provident has urged JC Flowers to clarify its intention toward the UK insurer after two months of speculation about whether the US private equity group would make a bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/12/cnfriends112.xml

TMN

"Finally, the bid for the online marketing group TMN, down 0.5p to 45.5p, could end up going hostile, despite the predator Tangent Communications claiming it had acceptances representing 11.1% of its target's shareholders."

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

XTA

"Xstrata lost 92p to £37.42 on concerns that a bid from Brazil's Vale may not emerge."

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

FP.

"Its rival Friends Provident ended 5p higher at 124p on hopes that the US firm JC. Flowers may bid now the insurer's results have been announced. The news that Friends' finance director is leaving added fuel to the flames."

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

CNE

"Cairn Energy was in the spotlight yesterday. The oil explorer's shares jumped 223p to £29.89 - an 8% gain - on speculation over a possible takeover bid. The supposed predator was Italy's Eni, and a price of £40 a share was being mentioned. But some traders were cautious. They pointed out that Eni had paid £1.7bn for Burren Energy last year, and suggested it could be too soon for another sizeable acquisition."

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

SUMU

"Lighthouse, the independent financial advisor, was up 2.22 per cent or 0.5p to 23p after agreeing to merge with sector peer Sumus."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-cairn-soars-after-rumours-of-bid-from-eni-794493.html

CPU

"On AIM, Computerland gained a spectacular 27.43 per cent or 56.5p to 262.5p after news of a recommended 270p-per-share offer from Capita, the support services firm."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-cairn-soars-after-rumours-of-bid-from-eni-794493.html

GNK

"On the FTSE 250, Old Speckled Hen brewer Greene King rose 0.48 per cent or 3p to 626p following rumours of a possible bid. The talk bore few details – there was no indication of the price of the prospective offer, nor were there any clues to the identity of the suitor."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-cairn-soars-after-rumours-of-bid-from-eni-794493.html

XTA

"Elsewhere, fading bid hopes hurt Xstrata, which shed 92p to 3,742p following reports that a recent slump in Vale's share price had wounded the Brazilian miner's gambit to take over its Anglo-Swiss rival."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-cairn-soars-after-rumours-of-bid-from-eni-794493.html

CNE

"Cairn Energy, the Edinburgh-based oil and gas exploration and production company that has various interests in the Indian subcontinent, was the talk of the town yesterday. The speculation, which took Cairn to an intra-day high of 3,006p, centred on ENI, the Italian energy giant, which was said to be mulling a 4,000p-per-share bid for the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-cairn-soars-after-rumours-of-bid-from-eni-794493.html

PMR

"A management buyout at Panmure Gordon, steady at 73½p, may be on the cards if there is a big share price fall after results today.'"

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3533893.ece

FP.

"Friends Provident JC Flowers, the American private equity group, plans to meet Friends Provident “as soon as possible” to discuss an offer for the struggling insurer. Friends announced a 97 per cent fall in full-year underlying pre-tax profits to £16 million."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/article3533883.ece

CLST

"Collins Stewart rose 6p to 131p ahead of its results on Friday as its chairman Terry Smith’s presentation of results at his other company Tullet Prebon, up 18¾p at 469¾p, reminded investors that Collins was unlikely to miss profit forecasts. There is continuing talk that he could mount a management buyout."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3533885.ece

XTA

"Xstrata was down 92p to £37.42 after The Times reported that Vale of Brazil was close to withdrawing its bid since its share price fall had cut the value of its offer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3533885.ece

DOO

"Struggling biofuel firm D1 Oils shed 1¾ to 54¾p despite speculation that founder Karl Watkin, who quit as a director on Monday, was trying to get the funding in place for a buyout."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/12/cxmktrep112.xml

FP.

"Friends Provident gained 5 to 124p as it indicated it was ready to talk to potential private equity suitor JC Flowers. Flowers, which has a 2.7pc stake in Friends, is mulling a bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/12/cxmktrep112.xml

XTA

"Mining group Xstrata slipped 92p to £37.42 as hopes of an imminent takeover by Brazil's Vale eased. However, traders noted that while there were clearly a number of hurdles still to cross - including the disagreement over Xstrata's marketing rights - the shares would probably have fallen much further if the talks were about to collapse."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/12/cxmktrep112.xml

CNE

"Cairn Energy, the South Asia-focused oil company, was the top blue-chip riser, spiking 223p to £29.89 on rumours of a £40-a-share bid from Italian oil giant Eni. However, dealers were sceptical, noting that Eni has its hands full, having just acquired Burren Energy."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/12/cxmktrep112.xml

BRBY

"Bid talk the surrounded the luxury goods maker Burberry yesterday as fresh speculation suggested the UK group had attracted the interest of Coach, the American handbag and premium accessories company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-burberry-in-demand-after-fresh-talk-of-us-bid-794071.html

FP.

"Shareholders said yesterday that the embattled insurer has one last chance at its results this week to persuade the City that should remain independent."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/10/cnfriends110.xml

ORCA

"On AIM, Orca Interactive gained more than 22 per cent or 3.75p to 20.75p after saying that it had agreed to a recommended cash offer from Viaccess, a wholly owned subsidiary of France Telecom. The total takeover price is estimated to be $21.4m (£10.6m), or $0.59 per Orca share."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-burberry-in-demand-after-fresh-talk-of-us-bid-794071.html

TMN

"The online marketing specialist TMN also had a good day after revealing a preliminary approach that may lead to an offer for the company. While TMN stressed that the approach was at a "very early stage", its stock climbed almost 18 per cent or 7p to 46p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-burberry-in-demand-after-fresh-talk-of-us-bid-794071.html

NSR

"Among small caps, Nestor Healthcare was the focus of renewed bid talk. Last week, market speculation suggested that Cinven, the continental private equity group which acquired Bupa's hospital operations and assets for £1.44bn last year, was mulling a bid for the company. Yesterday, following a growing consensus against the Cinven bid rumours, fresh speculation suggested that Assura, the London-listed healthcare investor, was considering an offer for Nestor."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-burberry-in-demand-after-fresh-talk-of-us-bid-794071.html

IMI

"IMI was also buoyant on the back of some bid speculation. Early rumours suggested that Honeywell, the American company which has often been mentioned as a likely bidder, was set to make an approach for the company. No likely offer price was forthcoming and IMI closed up 13p at 440p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-burberry-in-demand-after-fresh-talk-of-us-bid-794071.html

FKI

"On the FTSE 250, bid speculation surrounded FKI, the engineering group which was the subject of a new, enhanced 85p per share offer from Melrose last week. Market chatter centred on a counter-offer from Blackstone, the American private equity giant which is believed to be interested in the acquiring the company. Hopes of a bidding war for FKI, which has opened its books to Melrose, took the company's share price up 0.50p to 69.75p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-burberry-in-demand-after-fresh-talk-of-us-bid-794071.html

XTA

"Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, is understood to be close to pulling the plug on its attempted £43 billion takeover of Xstrata after falls in its share price have knocked billions off the value of the deal."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/article3525493.ece

BRBY

"Burberry rose a further 4p to 439¼p on top of its 27¾p gain on Friday as vague talk continued of a bid from Coach of the US, which was cited as a potential predator by Merrill Lynch last year."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3525624.ece

FKI

"However, FKI edged up only ½p to 69¾p on a report that Blackstone has hired Credit Suisse to examine making a counterbid to Melrose’s 80p offer."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3525624.ece

IMI

"Continuing talk of a bid by Honeywell of the US for IMI helped to lift the mid-cap engineer 13p to 440p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3525624.ece

TMN

"Among the small caps, TMN Group - one of the UK's largest online direct marketing organisations that is capitalised at £29m - said it "has received a preliminary approach that may or may not lead to an offer". The shares put on 7 to 46p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/11/cxmktrep111.xml

IMI

"IMI, the world's biggest maker of pneumatic controls, rose on speculation that Honeywell International may make a takeover bid. IMI surged 13 to 440p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/11/cxmktrep111.xml

FP.

"Friends Provident was among the 15 risers on the FTSE 100 after reports that suitor JC Flowers could launch a £3.5bn bid this week. The insurer, whose shares ticked up 0.9 to 119p, publishes full-year results today. Having failed to merge with Resolution, it is expected to disclose a dramatic fall in profits and investors believe the future hangs on how bad the numbers are."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/11/cxmktrep111.xml

TMN

"TMN, the online direct marketing group, rose 7p to 46p after receiving a bid approach. Its shares had slumped from 80p since last April, when it was named the online growing business company of the year."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3525636.ece

GCAP

"Plans to abandon digital radio technology by GCap Media, Britain’s largest commercial radio group, have been put on ice because of a takeover bid for the owner of Capital 95.8."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3525935.ece

XPS

"Peter Jones, the Dragons’ Den judge who also owns Phones International, the mobile phone distributor, revealed that he had bought a 22 per cent stake in Expansys, the struggling online retailer of mobile phones, up 2½p to 4p. He is rumoured to be building a 29 per cent stake ahead of a bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3525636.ece

FP.

" Friends Provident was floated at 225p in July 2001. The shares, up 0.9p at 119p, ahead of results today and on talk of a JC Flowers bid, are a long way below that now, driven down by the credit crunch and failure to merge with Resolution."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3525635.ece

MOSB

"Moss Bros shareholder David Moss has lambas-ted Keith Hamill, the struggling retailer's chairman, for failing to defend the high-street chain against a £40m takeover offer."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/rebels-move-to-stop-moss-bros-wedding-793296.html

FKI

"Blackstone, the US private equity company which last year walked away from take­over talks with FKI, has hired bankers to examine making a counterbid for the engineering group."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/09/cnfki109.xml

PNN

"Bid talk also boosted the water company Pennon Group, up 2 per cent to 641½p."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e325f254-ec26-11dc-86be-0000779fd2ac.html

IMI

"In the mid-caps, IMI rose 3 per cent to 427p on renewed speculation that Honeywell may bid."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e325f254-ec26-11dc-86be-0000779fd2ac.html

WTN

"A sale at a premium for Western Canadian Coal, down 2p at 140p, could be close. The coal producer hired Morgan Stanley to look at options last month. Xstrata, BHP Billiton or Anglo Coal could be interested."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3508540.ece

CDN

"The coal sector came alight after Polo Resources, the Mongolian coal-miner with assets in Australia, off ¼p at 13¼p, raised a £125 million war chest for acquisitions through a share placing that more than doubled its market cap. A likely target is the Australian miner Caledon Resources, up 1p at 56p, in which it built a 7 per cent stake this week. Polo’s chairman, Stephen Dattels, and its chief executive, Paul Ingram, used to be chairman and exploration director of Caledon."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3508498.ece

HMSO

"Hammerson lost 24p to £10.88 although there were vague whispers that Westfield, the Australian developer, was eyeing it."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3508490.ece

IMP

"Recruitment group Imprint slipped ½ to 111¾p as the three-way takeover battle continued, with the board withdrawing its recommendation of a bid by Hydrogen Group. Ireland's Premier Group has made a 115-per-share cash offer for Imprint, which trumped earlier bids from Hydrogen and OPD."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/08/cxmktrep108.xml

BRBY

"Burberry rose 27¾p to 435p on vague bid talk. Coach of the US has been seen as a possible predator."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3508490.ece

CDN

"Caledon Resources, the Australian coalminer, jumped 6¾p to 55p on bid talk as the rival Polo Resources, flat at 13½p, revealed a 7 per cent stake."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3499891.ece

HRG

"Hogg Robinson, the business travel operator, rose 3p to 62p on bid speculation. Beverweerd Investments, thought to be the private investment vehicle of the founding chairman of BCD Holdings, the Dutch family-owned travel operator, said that it had increased its stake from 4.3 per cent to 10.14 per cent after buying shares earlier this week."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3499891.ece

ENN

"Ennstone, the FTSE Smallcap-listed provider of building and construction products and services, surged as much as 15 per cent on the back of some early bid talk yesterday. Speculators suggested that a larger peer was set to mount a 42p-per-share bid for the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-speculators-help-to-construct-a-rise-in-ennstone-792789.html

EXR

"Among mid-caps, Expro International, the oilfield services group, firmed 1.6 per cent to £12.13 on hopes of a bid battle. Last week, Expro said it had received an offer. The approach came from private equity group Candover and is rumoured to have been pitched at £13.75 a share."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8d7a93c6-eb51-11dc-9493-0000779fd2ac,s01=1.html

FP.

"Nagging concerns that JC Flowers, the US private equity group, might not bid saw insurer Friends Provident fall back 4.7 per cent to 121½p."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8d7a93c6-eb51-11dc-9493-0000779fd2ac,s01=1.html

REG

"Regent Inns, the Jongleurs comedy clubs and Walkabout bars group, rose 2p to 18¼p amid talk that Brook Leisure, a privately owned rival, was closing in on a deal. Jon Moulton’s Alchemy has also been tipped as a suitor."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3499891.ece

FP.

"Friends Provident, which is trying to sell its majority stake in F&C, was dragged down 6p at 121½p, also hurt by rumours that JC Flowers may make a low-ball bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3499888.ece

HRG

"Corporate travel group Hogg Robinson gained 3 to 62p even though Dutch rival BCD Travel dismissed speculation that it was mulling a bid. Beverweerd Investments, a vehicle controlled by John Fentener van Vlissingen, the Dutch billionaire who owns and chairs BCD, lifted its stake in Hogg Robinson to 10.1pc."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/07/cxmktrep107.xml

FP.

"Friends Provident fell another 6 to a five-year low of 121.5p amid continuing worries about whether a bid from JC Flowers, the US private equity house, would materialise."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/07/cxmktrep107.xml

FKI

"Melrose, the UK investment company, has become the frontrunner to buy bid target FKI after raising its offer for the engineering company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/06/cnfki106.xml

PRU

"Insurer Prudential climbed 41 to 643½p on the back of ongoing speculation that Ping An, China's second-largest insurer, was plotting a bid. The talk was driven by news that Ping An had won approval from its shareholders for a £8.5bn fund-raising that it will use to make acquisitions."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/06/cxmktrep106.xml

SHB

"Shaftesbury, the property company which owns large swathes of London's West End, was lifted by vague talk suggesting a possible bid. Few details were forthcoming and the company's shares closed up 26p at 579p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-prudential-driven-up-on-chinese-bid-chatter-792091.html

ISAT

"Bid talk surrounded Inmarsat, the mobile satellite services company. Early-morning rumours suggested that Harbinger Capital Partners, the American hedge fund manager which already has a significant stake in Inmarsat, was mulling an offer of up to 550p per share."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-prudential-driven-up-on-chinese-bid-chatter-792091.html

PRU

"The market was buoyed by a raft of bid rumours yesterday, and Prudential, the UK life insurance provider, featured prominently in the talk of the town. The chatter was sparked by news that Ping An, the Chinese insurance group which was touted as a likely bidder for Prudential in January, had won shareholder approval to raise fresh funds of up to $17bn (£8.5bn)."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-prudential-driven-up-on-chinese-bid-chatter-792091.html

IMP

"Imprint Group was also a strong riser yesterday. Shares were up 5.32% to 113.75p after rival recruiters, Premier Group, announced an all-cash offer to acquire Imprint, which specialises in financial staffing. The small company has surprisingly been the target of numerous bids this year from Hydrogen and OPD."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/06/libertyinternational.economics

PRU

"Prudential leapt 6.8% to 640.5p as shareholders at the Chinese firm Ping An Insurance approved plans to offer new shares that could become one of the world's biggest corporate fundraisings. The proceeds are expected to fund overseas acquisitions and Prudential has been pegged as a potential target."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3492533.ece

LII

"Liberty International was in the spotlight after speculation mounted that it was joining a rival property firm in a deal that would create the world's largest shopping centre. It finished the day up 9.54% at £10.33."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3492533.ece

ISAT

"Inmarsat rose 8p to 492p ahead of results today. The satellite telecoms operator may be a candidate for entry into the blue-chip index next week and there are vague hopes of a bid from Harbinger, the activist US fund that has built a 28 per cent stake."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3492683.ece

LII

"The much-battered property sector received a boost amid reports of a potential bid for Liberty International, the shopping centre developer. Liberty’s shares bounced 87p to £10.30 on twice the average volume."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3492683.ece

GCAP

"Global Radio, the owner of Heart 106.2, has been given a further three weeks to agree a deal with GCap Media, the owner of Capital 95.8. Talks were expected to start immediately after Global made a 225p-a-share “final proposal”, worth £371 million, for Britain’s largest commercial radio group on the eve of the Takeover Panel’s “put up or shut up” deadline of 5pm yesterday."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3492307.ece

NSR

"Takeover target Nestor Healthcare jumped 5¼ to 53¾p as Cinven became the latest private equity firm to be linked to a possible bid. However, sources close to the situation said that while Cinven might conceivably be interested in parts of the business, it was not one of the three parties currently in bid talks."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/06/cxmktrep106.xml

IMI

"Engineering group IMI surged 39½ to 429½p after posting robust annual profits despite being hit by an investigation into "irregular payments" at its US subsidiary Severe Service division. It was also boosted by hopes that it might become a takeover target after rival FKI received an 85p-a-share bid proposal from Melrose."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/06/cxmktrep106.xml

ISAT

"Satellite provider Inmarsat added 8 to 492p on speculation that Harbinger Capital, the US hedge fund that has built a 28pc stake, was eyeing a takeover. Harbinger has stakes in a number of US satellite businesses and some traders suggested that it could look to merge them into one group."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/06/cxmktrep106.xml

LII

"Property group Liberty International, which owns the Lakeside shopping centre in Thurrock, Essex, was the top FTSE 100 riser, jumping 87p to £10.30 on renewed bid chatter. Australia's Westfield and GIC Real Estate, a Singaporean sovereign wealth fund, were rumoured to be taking a look at Liberty, traders said."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/06/cxmktrep106.xml

FKI

"Melrose, the UK investment company, has become the frontrunner to buy bid target FKI after raising its offer for the engineering company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/06/cnfki106.xml

GCAP

"Leading institutional investors in GCap want to see Britain’s largest commercial radio group enter takeover talks after Global Radio tabled an improved £371 million approach yesterday."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3485610.ece

WG.

"The chief executive of John Wood Group, the UK's largest provider of oil field services, has dismissed speculation that the company is a takeover target."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/05/cnwood105.xml

GCAP

"The board of GCap Media was last night urged by at least two of its major shareholders to give serious consideration to a £370m offer from Global Radio, the privately owned group chaired by former ITV boss Charles Allen."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/05/cngcap105.xml

ORI

"On the AIM market, Oriel Resources, the London-based chrome and nickel mining processing company, climbed to the top of the AIM UK50 index after confirming an indicative offer from leading Russian mining group Mechel."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-murphy-move-fuels-talk-of-bid-for-kingfisher-791356.html

FKI

"The FTSE 250 was also down, by 69.40 points to 9944.50. On the FTSE 250, bid talk featured FKI, the engineering group which was courted with an approach from rival group Melrose last month. The market was abuzz with speculation about the suitor's next move. Traders wondered whether or not Melrose, which is due to announce its results to the market today, would enhance its offer to see off a challenge from Blackstone, which is also believed to be interested in the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-murphy-move-fuels-talk-of-bid-for-kingfisher-791356.html

LMI

"In other mining news, the long-drawn courtship of Xstrata by its Brazilian rival Vale was momentarily eclipsed by an intriguing rumour floating about at noon yesterday. The London-listed company, some suggested, was about to embark on a separate courtship of its own and attempt a takeover of Lonmin, the third-largest primary platinum producer."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-murphy-move-fuels-talk-of-bid-for-kingfisher-791356.html