GMG

"The specialist video games retailer Game was strong yesterday after posting its preliminary results and attracting the interest of speculators pegging their hopes on a bid. Vague rumours, which emerged after the company impressed the market with bumper results, suggested that Texas-based Gamestop Corporation, the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer, was considering an offer for the company."

The Independent

CNP

"But ClinPhone, which provides technology for clinical trials, lost 14.25p to 85p as analysts said the chances of a bid from US group Parexel, were receding."

The Guardian

TNS

"Market research group Taylor Nelson Sofres yesterday jumped 19% as it announced a nil-paid merger with German rival GfK. However, analysts believe another bidder may step in to break up the agreed deal."

The Guardian

TNS

"Taylor Nelson Sofres grabbed top spot on the FTSE 250 leaderboard. Shares in the market research group rose 19.3 per cent to 204p after revealing merger discussions with German rival GfK. Traders said Taylor Nelson was now in play and vulnerable to a bid from cash rich private equity group."

FT

GMG

"Game Group climbed 4.9 per cent to 264½p after annual results impressed. Another reason for the gain was speculation a US rival, possibly GameStop, had appointed advisers to examine a bid for Game Group. Traders said one big US bank was now “restricted” on Game Group."

FT

BGY

"British Energy firmed 0.3 per cent to 768p after Sweden’s Vattenfall said it was looking at supply and generation assets in the UK and had €7bn-€10bn available for acquisitions."

FT

CNP

"In February, ClinPhone revealed that it had rejected a preliminary takeover approach from US rival Parexel International, arguing that it "materially undervalues the company and its prospects". ClinPhone said yesterday it was still in talks with Parexel, although it has refused to open its books for due diligence."

Telegraph

GMG

"Computer games retailer Game Group gained 12¼ to 264½p after unveiling strong full-year results and a robust trading outlook. The stock was also boosted by vague takeover speculation, with US rival Gamestop the name supposedly in the frame."

Telegraph

AL.

"Elsewhere in banking Alliance & Leicester ended 3% higher at 530.5p on continued speculation that it could be vulnerable to a bid."

The Guardian

CPW

"Break-up rumours continued to swirl around Carphone Warehouse. The company has been at the centre of speculation for the past week pegging a sale of its broadband business to Vodafone and of the retail arm to Best Buy. Last night's chatter suggested a deal was still on the cards, but bore no clue about its timing."

The Independent

HTG

"On the FTSE 250, M&A talk surrounded Hunting, the oil services company, which rose 28p to 897.5p. ABN Amro, which maintains a "buy" rating, said: "We believe in the past Hunting may have received several approaches for individual pieces of Hunting but has not received an approach for the group as a whole."

The Independent

SEG

"Infogrames, the French video games company behind Atari, has revealed it was behind a rejected share bid for Lara Croft’s SCi Entertainment worth about £60 million. The would-be predator said that it could go hostile — presenting investors with a choice between SCi’s planned fundraising and a bid at a “significant premium” to the 55p the shares were trading at last week."

The Times

REG

"Regent Inns, which owns the Old Orleans restaurant chain, leapt 3 to 17½p amid speculation that the US buy-out firm Sun Capital Partners was the front-runner to take over the group."

Telegraph

BOR

"Borders & Southern Petroleum, one of several companies prospecting for oil off the Falkland Islands, rose 1½ to a record high of 84¾p on vague takeover rumours."

Telegraph

SEG

"SCi Entertainment, which makes the Lara Croft computer games, is likely to be in demand this morning after Infogrames confirmed after the market close that it had approached SCi."

Telegraph

BGY

"The deadline for the next round of bids for British Energy (BE) has been brought forward, as the Government seeks a swift decision on the future of the UK's nuclear industry. Rothschild, BE's financial adviser, has told potential bidders that it would like to see detailed offers by May 9."

Telegraph

PRU

"Ping An, the giant Chinese insurer, will this week hold a board meeting in London, underlining the increasingly international outlook of China's large state-owned companies. Ping An has recently been linked with a bid for Prudential, but no talks have taken place."

Telegraph

CPW

"Elsewhere, bid rumours were evident around Carphone Warehouse, again. And yet again, Vodafone and Best Buy were cast as suitors, vying for the broadband and retail businesses respectively."

The Independent

MAB

"The pubs group Mitchells & Butlers, one of the longest-running takeover sagas left in the market, slipped 3.5p to 309.25p after it said it was no longer in talks with anyone about a bid for the whole firm."

The Guardian

CPW

"Carphone Warehouse climbed 8p to 257p on talk of a break-up bid from Vodafone and the US group Best Buy, which owns nearly 3% of Carphone."

The Guardian

AL.

"But yesterday A&L climbed 21.5p to 514.5p, with dealers suggesting it could be vulnerable to a bid. It appears that HSBC for one has recently cast its eyes over A&L, although HSBC - up 4.5p at 859.5p - decided it would prefer to concentrate on expanding its Asian businesses."

The Guardian

AL.

"Vague chatter of predatory interest from HSBC, up 0.5 per cent to 859½p, pushed up Alliance & Leicester, 4.4 per cent higher at 514½p. However, traders reckon the gain owed more to short covering."

FT

BGY

"Bid hopes helped nuclear power company British Energy gain 4.3 per cent to 785p."

FT

CPW

"Carphone Warehouse provided the session’s speculative feature. Its shares rose 3.2 per cent to 257p amid rumours of a break-up bid from Vodafone, up 1.1 per cent to 159.2p and US retailer Best Buy."

FT

WFC

"Elsewhere on the small-cap bid front, Watford Leisure, which owns the eponymous Championship football club, soared 14½ to 33p after revealing that it had received a "tentative" takeover approach."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/26/cxmktrep126.xml

WHI

"Stockbroker WH Ireland ticked up 1 to 115p even though it revealed that bid talks with suitor Blue Oar Securities had ended. Blue Oar, which closed down ¾ at 14½p, insisted that it remained "interested in pursuing a potential acquisition of WH Ireland" and was still seeking to "meet with the board of WH Ireland on an amicable basis"."

Telegraph

RNK

"Rank, the casino and bingo hall group, slipped ¼ to 89¾p despite Guoco, the Malaysian leisure group, increasing its stake to 10pc. Genting, another Malaysian gaming group, has an 11pc stake in Rank. There has been long-running speculation that either company could mount a bid in an attempt to get hold of Rank's lucrative casino licences."

Telegraph

CPW

"Carphone Warehouse, which sells mobile phones and broadband access, was in focus as bid speculation resurfaced on the back of a positive broker note. Traders speculated once more that US retailer Best Buy might be interested in bidding for all or part of Carphone."

Telegraph

DRX

"Drax, the coal-fired generator, out-performed the sector, up 9½p to 627½p on talk of predatory interest. Centrica, up 2¼p at 295½p, is seen as a contender."

The Times

RFG

"RDF Media, which makes programmes including Wife Swap and Faking It, received a management buy-out proposal yesterday from a consortium that includes the company's executive directors."

The Independent

DRX

"Renewed bid talk energised Drax, which outperformed the wider market, gaining 9.5p to 627.5p yesterday. Speculation suggested that Centrica was considering an offer for the rival energy group and owner of Britain's largest coal-fired power station."

The Independent

RFG

"David Frank, RDF Media's founder, is understood to have gained tentative support for a bid - at a price not yet determined - from the 27 per cent shareholder Cyrte Investments."

The Times

RFG

"John de Mol, the Dutch TV executive behind Big Brother, is backing a management buyout of leading independent production company RDF Media."

Telegraph

RFG

"Media types were abuzz with talk a buyer was sniffing around RDF Media, the TV production firm behind Wife Swap, Location Location and the controversial A Year With A Queen series."

This is Money

SEG

"Shares in SCi Entertainment, the firm behind the Tomb Raider star, ticked 2½p higher to 57p after it rejected a takeover approach from an unnamed bidder.

This is Money

BSLA

"Elsewhere, rumours gave a boost to Blacks Leisure, which rose by 1.50p to 177.50p. Market speculation suggested that Sports Direct, Mike Ashley's sports retail chain, was about to bid for the company."

The Independent

WLF

"Wolfson Microelectronics jumped 10.5p to 134p on talk of a bid from Texas Instruments. The US firm has said it is interested in buying analogue semiconductor specialists - which could include Wolfson."

The Guardian

SEG

"SCi Entertainment, the Tomb Raider computer games group, added 2.5p to 57p after it admitted it had received an indicative offer at a significant premium to the share price."

The Guardian

XTA

"Xstrata added 2.6 per cent to £41.01 on the view that it is one of the few major mining companies that could be acquired by China."

FT

SHP

"Shire jumped 60½p to 979p after it won approval earlier than expected from regulators in the United States to sell its Vyvanse hyperactivity drug – already licensed to children – to adults. This approval is likely to drive bid speculation. Pfizer and Astra-Zeneca, up 55p to £21.32 before results today, have already been rumoured to be considering the company."

The Times

WLF

"Chip-maker Wolfson Microelectronics leapt 10½ to 134p on renewed speculation of takeover interest from Texas Instruments."

Telegraph

FKI

"Among the mid-caps, engineer FKI jumped 6.75p to 84.5p as it accepted a cash and shares offer from industrial investor Melrose. Melrose shares added 14.6p to 162p, valuing the offer at just under 85p an FKI share."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/23/oil.centricabusiness

CNA

"Speculation that Warren Buffett is building a stake in Centrica put a flame under the owner of British Gas. Shares in the energy company, which did not comment on the rumour, rose 4½p to 305p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3799473.ece

FWEB

"Fiberweb, which makes non-woven fibres for use in anything from nappies to car seats, tumbled 32pc to 37½p after Israeli suitor Avgol pulled out of takeover talks because of funding difficulties. Avgol made an indicative 100p-a-share offer in January but the credit crunch has put paid to its ambitions."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/23/cxmktrep123.xml

PEG

"Tiddler Petards, which makes CCTV systems, climbed 0.1 to 0.38p after revealing that it was in talks with a number of parties about a possible takeover or refinancing."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/23/cxmktrep123.xml

HTG

Hunting, the oil field services company, rose 3.1 per cent to 871½p ahead of today’s trading statement, which is tipped to impress. Traders also noted that Hunting looked cheap and remained a potential takeover target.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/18290fbc-1036-11dd-b8d6-0000779fd2ac.html

BB.

"AFTER losing out on Northern Rock, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Money is said to be considering a £1bn bid for bank Bradford & Bingley (B&B)."

http://www.cityam.com/index.php?news=11925

DSGI

"Bid speculation also lifted DSG International, which owns high street retailer Dixons. A report in the Financial Times said Metro, Germany's leading retailer, is eyeing Britain's DSG to help it expand in Europe. DSG rose 4.5% to close at 68p."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/22/mediabusiness.itvbusiness

ITV

"But the fact that someone might be interested in buying the stake has reignited bid speculation over ITV, which closed up 6% at 68p."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/22/mediabusiness.itvbusiness

WHI

"Manchester stockbroker WH Ireland surged 18 to 120½p after it received a preliminary bid approach. Market sources said that rival broker Blue Oar Securities was looking at WH Ireland, although it was unclear if they had made an approach yet."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/22/cxmktrep122.xml

FKI

"Engineering group FKI ended flat at 77¾p although market sources said that it was about to agree to be taken over by buy-out group Melrose in a cash-and-shares deal equivalent to around 84p a share. Melrose ticked up 3¼ to 149p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/22/cxmktrep122.xml

BGY

"British Energy put on 17 to 740p as France's EDF and Suez were once more linked to a possible bid for the nuclear power group."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/22/cxmktrep122.xml

DSGI

"DSG International rose 4.6 per cent to 68p on hopes that it could be a takeover target for Metro. Germany’s leading retailer is considering a partial spin-off of its consumer electronics operations, a move that would give it the freedom to make acquisitions."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/15094f82-0f6d-11dd-8871-0000779fd2ac.html

ITV

"ITV received a welcome boost yesterday. Britain's biggest commercial broadcaster led the FTSE 100 risers after it emerged that BSkyB has received expressions of interest from potential buyers of its controversial 17.9% stake."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/22/mediabusiness.itvbusiness

CPW

"Carphone Warehouse was the focus of yet more bid speculation yesterday. Market rumours again mooted the prospect of a 400p-per-share offer from Best Buy, the American consumer electronics retailer, which has been cast as a suitor before."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-best-buy-bid-banter-buoys-carphone-and-dsg-813416.html

FKI

"Engineering group Melrose is poised to seal its £500m takeover of industrial conglomerate FKI."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/22/cnfki122.xml

EXR

"Private equity group Candover is this weekend considering whether to raise its £1.8bn bid for oil services group Expro International in response to a higher offer from US oilfield contractor Halliburton."

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/investing-and-markets/article.html?in_article_id=440630&in_page_id=3&ito=1565

DEB

"Mr Jagtiani, the head of the retailing giant Landmark Group, says not. His 9 per cent stake in Debenhams is, he says, strategic rather than a prelude to a full-blown bid, although he does not quite rule that out, should circumstances change. "

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article3785014.ece

MOSB

"The Moss Bros founding families are hoping one of its biggest suppliers, the tailor Berwin & Berwin, will buy Baugur's 29pc stake in the company to effectively kill the Icelandic retailer's planned £40m takeover of the menswear company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/21/cnmoss121.xml

EXR

"The controversial American industrial group Halliburton is preparing an offer of at least £15 a share for Expro International, the London-listed oil services firm."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/20/cnexpro120.xml

EXR

"Expro International, the UK-based oil services firm, was the focus of yet more bid activity."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-jjb-jumps-on-fitnessclub-acquisition-talk-811880.html

CPW

"Vague bid talk was evident around Carphone Warehouse, which gained 8p to 251.5p. The rumours appeared late in the day and suggested that the group was about to be subject to a 400p-per-share bid next week."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-jjb-jumps-on-fitnessclub-acquisition-talk-811880.html

JJB

"JJB Sports gained more than 6 per cent yesterday after market rumours suggested that a buyer had emerged for its fitness club business. A rival rumour, however, told a different story: there was talk of a bid for the embattled retailer, which traders dismissed as errant chatter ahead of the weekend."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-jjb-jumps-on-fitnessclub-acquisition-talk-811880.html

SHP

"Bid speculation also boosted shares in Shire, the country's third-biggest drugmaker, which closed up 3% at 955.5p. There is persistent talk that AstraZeneca could launch a bid, with UBS analysts saying that Astra could afford to pay £14.25p a share."

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

EXR

"Back in London, Expro International, the British oil services company, rose again yesterday. It led the mid-cap risers on Thursday after a private equity consortium led by Candover said it had agreed to buy Expro for £1.6bn. The stock received a fresh fillip yesterday after Halliburton, the US oil group, said it was in talks with Expro, which may lead to it making an offer for its British rival."

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

FP.

"After the London market closed, the US buyout firm JC Flowers formally withdrew from its £3.5bn pursuit of Friends Provident because the life insurer had "failed to engage in discussions"."

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

FDL

"Findel rebounded 19¼p to 299¼p from a profit warning on Thursday after Kaupthing said that it could attract a break-up bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3776652.ece

FP.

"Friends Provident was up 4.4p to 120.6p. After the close, JC Flowers pulled its 150p bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3776652.ece

SHP

"Shire, the producer of hyperactivity drugs, was up 30½p at 955½p as rumours of a bid from AstraZeneca or Pfizer refused to go away."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3776652.ece

CBRY

"Talk that Cadbury Schweppes would be a bid or merger target for a confectionery group such as Hershey, Kraft or Wrigley, once it demerged its drinks unit, helped to lift it 16½p to 573½p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3776652.ece

TOMK

"Tomkins, the mid-cap auto engineer, rose 7½p to 187p on hopes that it could be a target for a private equity bailout."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3776652.ece

CBRY

"Confectionery maker Cadbury Schweppes rose 16½ to 573½p after Lehman Brothers argued that it was the most attractive takeover target in the sector."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/19/cxmktrep119.xml

GNE

"GNE Group, an Aim-listed petrol station operator, surged 40 to 137½p after it received a takeover approach."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/19/cxmktrep119.xml

JJB

"Retailer JJB Sports gained 7½ to 123¾p amid rumours of corporate activity. One story doing the rounds was that a bidder was eyeing up its fitness clubs division, while some traders speculated that the whole group could be a takeover target."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/19/cxmktrep119.xml

EXR

"Expro International moved up 65p to a record high of £15.10 as US oil services giant Halliburton revealed that it was carrying out due diligence with regards to making a possible counter-bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/19/cxmktrep119.xml

SHP

"Pharmaceuticals group Shire firmed 30½ to 955½p as talk of a possible takeover refused to die down. Recent market speculation has linked America's Pfizer and British rival AstraZeneca with possible bids for Shire."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/19/cxmktrep119.xml

STY

"Styles & Wood, a property services company specialising in the retail sector, has received an indicative management buyout indicative proposal at 125p a share."

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

EXR

"Among the mid-caps, Expro International led the risers after a private equity consortium led by Candover said it reached an agreement to buy the British oil and gas services company for £1.6bn. Its share price jumped 123p, or 9% to close at £14.45p, a sign that investors expect a rival bid."

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

EXR

"On the FTSE 250, the oil services group Expro International gained 123p to 1,445p after recommending a much-anticipated £1.6bn takeover offer from a Candover Partners-led consortium."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/market-report-shire-galvanised-by-renewed-bid-speculation-811258.html

SHP

"Renewed bid talk took the pharmaceutical group Shire to an intra-day high of 956p yesterday. Market speculation suggested AstraZeneca was again mulling a bid for the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/market-report-shire-galvanised-by-renewed-bid-speculation-811258.html

EXR

"Expro International rose 123p to £14.45 after agreeing a bid from Candover at £14.35. It said another bidder was still doing due diligence."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3768687.ece

MCR

"Western Australian miner Mercator Gold leapt 17½ to 84½p after receiving a takeover approach from an unnamed suitor."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/18/cxmktrep118.xml

TPA

"Printing technology group TripleArc jumped 0.975 to 5.65p as it agreed to be bought by Office2Office in a 6p-per-share deal."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/18/cxmktrep118.xml

STY

"Styles & Wood, the shopfitting business that works with Tesco, surged 33½ to 113p after receiving a 125p-a-share buyout proposal from its chief executive and chairman."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/18/cxmktrep118.xml

KDD

"Kopane Diamond Developments, flat at 10p, which expects drilling results from its Lesotho diamond pipe this year, has been mooted as a takeover target for Firestone Diamonds, up 3p to 156p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3767861.ece

EXR

"Oil services group Expro International leapt 123p to a record high of £14.45 after agreeing to a £14.35 per share private equity bid from Candover and Goldman Sachs. The stock traded above the offer price as another party is still carrying out due diligence on Expro and could yet make a counter-bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/18/cxmktrep118.xml

EXR

"Expro International rose 9.3 per cent to £14.45 as dealers expected further offers for the oil services group, which agreed a £14.53-a-share offer from private equity group Candover."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/565b85da-0c49-11dd-86df-0000779fd2ac.html

SHP

"Shire slipped 0.6 per cent to 925p despite rumours that Pfizer was considering a £14.50 move for the drugs group."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/565b85da-0c49-11dd-86df-0000779fd2ac.html

ISYS

"Late bid speculation helped Invensys rise 5.9 per cent to 279p"

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/565b85da-0c49-11dd-86df-0000779fd2ac.html

RIO

"Rio Tinto was strong too, rising by 360p to 6,367p owing to separate speculation that BHP would sweeten its bid with a significant cash offer."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-premier-foods-seen-as-a-tasty-target-for-kraft-810407.html

PFD

"Premier Foods was on the menu yesterday after mid-afternoon rumours suggested that the FTSE 250-listed food producer had attracted the interest of Kraft, the maker of Oreo-branded cookies and Philadelphia cream cheese."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-premier-foods-seen-as-a-tasty-target-for-kraft-810407.html

TPA

"Print technology group TripleArc surged 2.125 to 4.675p after revealing that it was in talks "which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company"."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/17/cxmktrep117.xml

PFD

"Elsewhere, Premier Foods, the heavily indebted maker of Hovis bread and Oxo cubes, firmed 3¼ to 128¾p on vague speculation that it was a bid target for American giant Kraft Foods. However, analysts were sceptical, noting that Kraft had come under fire recently for acquiring Danone's low-growth biscuit division."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/17/cxmktrep117.xml

RIO

"Rio Tinto gained 360p to a record high of £63.67 amid continuing speculation that rival BHP Billiton may increase its all-share takeover bid or add a cash sweetener. However, analysts said that it was unlikely that BHP would improve its offer at this stage, when the long-winded anti-trust process has only just begun."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/17/cxmktrep117.xml

PFD

"Premier Foods, the debt laden maker of Branston Pickle, rose 2.6 per cent to 128¾p on rumours that it could be a takeover target for Kraft. Traders were sceptical however."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75c1c814-0b7f-11dd-9840-0000779fd2ac.html

SHP

"Remaining on the speculative tack, drugmaker Shire firmed 0.4 per cent to 931p on renewed talk of a bid from Pfizer. Traders reckoned a bid from AstraZeneca, 0.7 per cent higher at £21.36, was more likely now that it had settled a patent dispute over top-selling ulcer treatment Nexium."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75c1c814-0b7f-11dd-9840-0000779fd2ac.html

RIO

"Rio Tinto shares soared 6pc to record levels yesterday after its largely positive first quarter production report combined with speculation that rival BHP Billiton was poised to increase its offer for the miner."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/17/cnrio117.xml

RIO

"Rio Tinto closed at a record high on Wednesday as rumours swirled that rival BHP Billiton was set to raise its hostile offer."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75c1c814-0b7f-11dd-9840-0000779fd2ac.html

RPT

"On the FTSE 250, M&A speculation was evident around JKX Oil & Gas, which gained 15.50p to 492.75. Market talk suggested that JKX may merge with, or bid for, Regal Petroleum, the smaller oil & gas exploration and production company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-logicacmg-fails-to-catch-market-updraught-809629.html

ALD

"Zambian nickel miner Albidon Resources rose 4½ to a record high of 191p on rumours that Xstrata, the acquisitive Anglo-Swiss mining group, was eyeing it up. The shares have been heavily traded in recent sessions, with more than 15 times the normal daily average changing hands yesterday."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/16/cxmktrep116.xml

BGY

"The Spanish utility group Iberdrola said yesterday it was evaluating the opportunities within Britain's nuclear industry but that any move would have to meet its strict rules about value creation for shareholders."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/16/nuclear.energy

CHS

"Shares in Chrysalis, the music publisher which owns the rights to the Blondie and David Bowie back catalogues, fell 17pc this morning after it rejected a £104m offer from EMI."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/15/bcnchris215.xml

CHS

"Chrysalis today rejected a £104 million takeover offer from EMI and said that it was no longer talking with potential buyers. EMI's offer valued Chrysalis shares at 155p. They dropped 16 per cent to 113p after the statement."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3750156.ece

MAB

"Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the owner of the All Bar One and Harvester chains, admitted today several private equity firms had expressed interest in company and confirmed it has approached rival Punch Taverns about buying its £1.1 billion Spirit managed pubs division."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article3741830.ece

WTB

"Leisure group Whitbread, which owns the Premier Inn hotel group and the Costa Coffee cafe chain, was the top blue-chip riser, putting on 27p to £11.45 amid vague speculation of bid interest from a Dubai investor."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/15/cxmktrep115.xml

FP.

"Rudderless life insurer Friends Provident tumbled 11pc as US private equity house JC Flowers threatened to withdraw its 150p-a-share takeover proposal unless the Friends board opens talks by the close of play on Friday."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/15/cxmktrep115.xml

FP.

"JC Flowers has given Friends Provident until Friday to enter talks and made it clear that it will not raise its £3.5bn takeover proposal for the insurer. Friends Provident is sticking to its assertion that Flowers' proposal is not a basis for discussions."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/friends-shares-fall-after-flowers-refuses-to-increase-16335bn-bid-809050.html

MAB

"John Dunsmore, the outgoing chief executive of the brewer Scottish & Newcastle, is understood to have been sounded out about the possibility of running Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the pubs operator, in the event of a merger with Spirit Group, the managed pub division of Punch Taverns."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article3746853.ece

FP.

"JC Flowers' £3.5 billion takeover tilt at Friends Provident looked to be on the brink of collapse last night after the American buyout firm refused to sweeten the terms of its offer and said that it would walk away unless it was given access to top management by Friday."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3744962.ece

BGY

French and German energy giants EDF and RWE remain frontrunners in the battle to buy the £11bn UK nuclear power group British Energy, despite the emergence of new potential bidders.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/14/cnbe114.xml

RIO

"BHP Billiton is set to finally fire the starting gun this month in its bid to take over rival mining giant Rio Tinto in a $130bn-plus deal. BHP is expected to file its 'Form CO' with the office of Neelie Kroes, Competition Commissioner for the European Commission, toward the end of the month."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/13/bhpbilliton.riotinto

BGY

"Centrica is set to be shunned by the European utility giants vying for control of British Energy. An £11bn auction of the nuclear generator is narrowing down to a two-horse race between EDF of France and RWE of Germany, although the sale process is in the early stages."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/13/centricabusiness.nuclear

EXR

"EXPRO, the oilfield-technology company, is to be the subject of a takeover battle after it received a number of bid approaches."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article3671642.ece

FP.

"ONE OF the biggest shareholders in Friends Provident has called on the life assurer’s board to open talks with long-standing suitor JC Flowers."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3671606.ece

ENO

"The American industrial company Manitowoc will this week take a major step towards acquiring Enodis, its British rival, by pledging to resolve any anti-trust concerns arising from their proposed £1bn deal."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/13/cnenodis113.xml

BGY

"The Swedish state-owned power giant Vattenfall is examining a takeover bid for British Energy, a move that would place it at the heart of Britain's future nuclear power generation."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/13/cnbe113.xml

SIL

"DIRECTORS of Silverjet have held talks with Lufthansa and Gibraltar’s Bland Group in their search for a buyer for the Luton-based business-class airline."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article3671574.ece

KAZ

"Eurasian Natural Resources, the diversified Kazakh miner, has been given a month to make a firm offer for copper miner Kazakhmys or walk away from a potential deal for six months, the Takeover Panel said today."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/11/bcnkaz111.xml

NCH

"Among smaller companies, data encryption specialist Ncipher gained a 40.20 per cent, or 50.75p to 135p, after confirming earlier speculation about a takeover approach."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-fki-surges-on-hopes-of-an-imminent-takeover-808187.html

FP.

"Friends Provident was weak following speculation that JC Flowers, the US private equity firm which submitted a 150p-per-share takeover proposal to the company late last month, may abandon its attempts to acquire the business if the life insurer refuses to enter into talks."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-fki-surges-on-hopes-of-an-imminent-takeover-808187.html

FKI

"FKI is the focus of renewed bid speculation. The engineering company has been a feature of market chatter for many weeks now."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-fki-surges-on-hopes-of-an-imminent-takeover-808187.html

ECG

"Econergy International, which this week admitted to a number of bid approaches including one from 18.3% shareholder Vincent Tchenguiz, added another 1.5p to 30.5p."

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

CC.

"Clinton Cards edged up 1p to 58.5p. The group warned of challenging conditions last month though profits were steady. The Spanish fund Best- inver, which has also built a stake in the rumoured bid target Debenhams, has amassed 15 per cent of Clinton. There is talk of a bid from US rival Hallmark but the founding Lewin family would have to agree."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3732215.ece

FP.

"Insurer Friends Provident slipped 4.8p to 130.6p on talk that US private equity group JC Flowers was prepared to walk away from its proposed £3.5bn takeover offer unless the two sides sat down together for talks."

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

SSY

"SciSys, the IT consultancy, gained another 1½p to 47.5p after its rival Microgen, which has built a 12.8 per cent stake, finally confirmed that it had met SciSys and was considering a bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3732538.ece

NCH

"NCipher, the encryption software firm, soared 50¾p to 177p after it revealed that it had received several approaches, one or more of which may lead to a bid. The talk is of a bid above 200p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3732538.ece

ECG

"Econergy, the developer of wind farms in Latin America whose only working asset is half a Bolivian hydroelectric station, rose a further 1½p to 30.5 after Trading Emissions, a green energy firm with biogas projects in South East Asia said that it had offered a nil premium share-for-share takeover."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3732538.ece

HAWK

"Nighthawk Energy continued to soar, up 4¾p to 68.75p, amid talk of a potential bid and that it was close to extracting its first oil in the US."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3732538.ece

FKI

"FKI continued to rise, up 1¾p to 75p on talk of an imminent bid from predator Melrose, up 2p at 150p and a rival 95p bid from Blackstone."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3732535.ece

FP.

"Troubled life assurer Friends Provident retreated 4.8 to 130.6p on suggestions that private equity predator JC Flowers could walk away. Analysts at Pali were sceptical about the rumour, saying it "will put pressure on the share price, shareholders and management" which will aid JC Flowers' case."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/12/cxmktrep112.xml

FKI

"In the FTSE 250, FKI rose 1¾ to 75p, briefly touching 79½p. The past week has seen the engineer's shares rise on speculation that predator Melrose could soon launch an 85p-a-share offer for the group. Some bulls are also holding on to hopes that private equity group Blackstone will also enter the fray, and pitch a bid at as high as 95p a share."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/12/cxmktrep112.xml

ECG

"AIM-listed takeover target Econergy International rejected a second low-ball offer from its rival Trading Emissions last week."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/12/cneco112.xml

ECG

"Econergy was in demand yesterday, up 5.5p to 29p as the South American renewable energy company revealed a number of bid approaches. One of them is from a company controlled by property tycoon Vincent Tchenguiz, who owns 18.3% of Econergy through contracts for difference."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/11/television.marketforces

E2V

"E2V Technologies, maker of high- tech cameras and sensors spun out of Marconi, gained 37p to 241.5p after it said profit would be ahead of expectations. Arden Partners believes booming defence contract wins will make up for a decline in sales of sensors and semiconductors to industry and could make it vulnerable to a bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3724334.ece

PHTM

"Photo-Me International was flat at 16.25p after Serge Crasnianski, a leading shareholder who has retaken control after being forced out earlier this year, scrapped the dividend and wrote off much of the value of the firm's vending machines by reducing their estimated life expectancy. The talk is Mr Crasnianski will take the company private if the price is right."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3724334.ece

EXR

"More bid talk was evident around Expro International, the oil services company which rose by 21p to 1,246p. Market speculation suggested that Candover Partners, the private equity firm which is widely suspected to be the source of an earlier preliminary approach, was close to making a formal offer for the company."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-reed-rises-on-hopes-of-private-equity-b2b-deal-807819.html

IMI

"IMI, which is rumoured to be in the sights of the American engineering giant Honeywell, gained 16p to 468.75p."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-reed-rises-on-hopes-of-private-equity-b2b-deal-807819.html

ENO

"Kitchen equipment maker Enodis surged 52pc as dealers had their first chance to respond to news the company had received a 260p-a- share bid approach."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/11/cxmktrep111.xml

MAB

"Mitchells & Butlers, the All Bar One and Harvester pubs group, rose on speculation that private equity groups Blackstone and CVC could take a stake in the company. The embattled pubs group, which unveiled robust first-half trading figures on Wednesday, gained 16¼ to 334¾p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/11/cxmktrep111.xml

E2V

"e2v Technologies, a £150m engineer which makes thermal imaging cameras used by the fire services, jumped 37½ to 241½p on bid hopes and on the back of an upbeat trading statement."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/11/cxmktrep111.xml

FKI

"FKI edged up 1½ to 73¼p. Dealers hope predator Melrose will soon pitch an 85p-a-share bid for FKI."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/11/cxmktrep111.xml

BOY

"Traders agreed that Bodycote International, the heat-treating and coatings business which last April rejected a £1.1bn approach from Swiss rival Sulzer, could be vulnerable. Since knocking back Sulzer's advances, the shares have tumbled from around 320p. Yesterday it recovered 7¾ to 203¾p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/11/cxmktrep111.xml

BGY

"British Energy shares soared 5pc yesterday as traders bet that German utility RWE and EDF Energy, the UK arm of the French electricity group, would be dragged into an expensive auction for the UK nuclear operator."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/11/cnbe111.xml

SIL

"Business class only airline Silverjet is understood to have held talks with wealthy individuals as well as trade buyers about a potential acquisition of the company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/11/cnsilver111.xml

SIL

"Silverjet, the beleaguered business-only airline, said yesterday it was in takeover talks that could lead to an offer for the airline, which is less than two years old."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article3723391.ece

SIL

"Silverjet, the beleaguered all-business class airline, is involved in takeover talks with at least three bidders, one of them an airline, according to sources close to the situation."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/silverjet-in-takeover-talks-with-three-bidders-807867.html

BGY

"Centrica has intensified talks with RWE that could see the companies launch a joint £11bn bid for British Energy by the end of this month."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/centrica-holds-talks-with-rwe-to-join-16311bn-british-energy-bid-807853.html

BGY

"British Energy shares rose sharply again yesterday on expectations of a takeover that put German utility RWE firmly centre stage. RWE, which owns npower in the UK, declined to comment on reports it had indicated it could be prepared to make a cash offer of just under 700p a share."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/11/britishenergygroupbusiness.oil

BGY

"RWE, the German power group, is believed to have tabled an offer for British Energy that values the company at as much as £11 billion."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/utilities/article3717769.ece

MAB

"The private equity firms Blackstone Group and CVC Capital Partners are understood to have made a joint proposal to Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) to buy a stake of up to 29.9 per cent in the pub and restaurant operator."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/investment/article3716691.ece

KAZ

"Eurasian Natural Resources, which became the newest entrant to the FTSE 100 last month, said it was still weighing up a bid for Kazakh mining rival Kazakhmys as it faced a "put up or shut up" notice from the Takeover Panel."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cnkazak110.xml

RIO

"Alberto Calderon, BHP commercial director, said the price rises gave the company the edge in its battle to take over rival Rio Tinto as the increase in coking coal prices, in which BHP is bigger, outweighed increases in iron ore, where Rio is superior."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cnbhp110.xml

MOSB

"Baugur, the Icelandic retailer, is likely to press ahead with its bid for Moss Bros at the end of April, despite being approached to sell its 29pc stake in the menswear chain, Baugur's executive chairman, Jon Asgeir Johannesson, has said."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cnmoss110.xml

BGY

"German utility company RWE has made an indicative cash offer for British Energy, valuing the operator of the UK's nuclear reactors at up to £11bn. The proposed offer, which is understood to be pitched at almost 700p per share, would value the Government's 35pc stake in the business at around £4bn."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cnrwe110.xml

ENO

"Enodis, the kitchen equipment manufacturer, rose 10p to 151.50p after renewed bid speculation. Late rumours suggested the company was about to be subject to an offer from a US rival. After the market closed, Enodis confirmed the speculation. The company said it had received an indicative 260p-per-share proposal from Manitowoc, the US peer that has attempted to acquire the business in the past."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-sainsburys-lifted-by-talk-of-fresh-qatari-move-807023.html

SBRY

"J Sainsbury was firm yesterday after market speculation suggested that the Qataris would soon make a second attempt to acquire the supermarket chain."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-sainsburys-lifted-by-talk-of-fresh-qatari-move-807023.html

ENO

"Shares in Enodis, which makes ovens for McDonald's, added 10p to 151.5p, prompting the company to reveal it had received a 260p a share offer from US group Manitowoc, which made a failed bid last year."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/10/hbosbusiness.banking

MOSB

"Baugur said it was likely to make a full bid for Moss Bros at the end of the month, sending the outfitter's shares up 0.5p to 49.5p."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/10/hbosbusiness.banking

HAWK

"Nighthawk Energy, the US-based gas and oil explorer that floated at 25p in March, was up 3¼p on vague talk of a bid."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3716543.ece

SBRY

"J Sainsbury benefited 4¾p from speculation that the Qatari Investment Authority was edging up its 25 per cent stake ahead of the expiry in May of its six-month lockout from another bid after its first offer collapsed in November."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3716298.ece

DOO

"Ambrian said D1 Oils looks vulnerable to a takeover. However, analyst Richard Lucas added as its main assets are a joint venture with BP, "any takeover would have to be done by BP or someone who knows BP and could work closely with them". D1 fell ¾ to 37p."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cxmktrep110.xml

SGC

"Stagecoach fell 6¼ to 235¼p despite vague speculation that the transport group could be a takeover target for Australian group Macquarie."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cxmktrep110.xml

ENO

"Oven maker Enodis rose 10 to 151½p on renewed hopes that it could once again be a bid target for former suitors Manitowoc or Middleby Corp. After the market closed, Enodis announced that it had received a 260p-a-share indicative offer from Manitowoc and allowed it to begin due diligence."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cxmktrep110.xml

SBRY

"J Sainsbury announced some changes to its operating board. However, dealers said the rise in the supermarket's share price was not down to appointments but to hopes of further stakebuilding in the company. They speculated that Qatari-backed investment fund Delta Two could lift its 25pc holding in the group. Last November, Delta abandoned a 600p-a-share indicative bid for the retailer, valuing it at £10.6bn. It will be free to approach the supermarket again next month."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cxmktrep110.xml

SSY

"The IT consultancy SciSys added 1.25p to 36.75p after its rival Microgen raised its stake in the firm from 11.3% to 12.89%. Kevin Ashton at Landsbanki said: "Microgen has recently stated its ambition to 'explore strategic opportunities ... including mergers and acquisitions'. We consider SciSys significantly undervalued.""

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/09/bhpbilliton.riotinto

IDS

"On AIM, Ideal Shopping Direct slumped 28.5p to 208p. The stock was depressed after the television retailer said it was no longer in offer talks following a preliminary approach in February. "The interested party has not made a proposal at a level that the board of IDS believes would be acceptable to IDS shareholders," the company said."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-baosteel-stakebuilding-talk-bolsters-bhp-806345.html

EXR

"On the FTSE 250, more bid talk was evident around Expro International, the oil services company. The company confirmed it had received an offer approach from an unnamed party in February and has since declined to identify the suitor."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-baosteel-stakebuilding-talk-bolsters-bhp-806345.html

KAZ

"Elsewhere in the FTSE 100, Kazakhmys told ENRC to either "put up or shut up". Following weeks of speculation suggesting ENRC would soon make a takeover approach, Kazakhmys applied to the UK Takeover Panel, asking it to set a deadline by which the rival miner must either make a formal bid or walk away from the idea of acquiring its peer for six months."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-baosteel-stakebuilding-talk-bolsters-bhp-806345.html

EXR

"Expro International Group rose 14p to £12.13 on hopes that the oilfield services company, which is in bid talks, could be snapped up at £13.50 a share by private equity group Candover."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/09/cxmktrep109.xml

KAZ

"Meanwhile, Kazakhmys, the copper miner which is being stalked by Eurasian Natural Resources, said it had asked the Takeover Panel to issue a "put up or shut up" deadline to the predator."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/09/cxmktrep109.xml

RIO

"Mining group BHP Billiton climbed to the top of the FTSE 100 leaderboard, pushed up by rumours that a major stake could be taken in the company. Dealers speculated that the stake would be used to try to block BHP's hostile takeover of Rio Tinto, as it plans to create one of the world's biggest companies."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/09/cxmktrep109.xml

FP.

"JC Flowers is preparing to contact shareholders of Friends Provident to press the case for its £3.5bn takeover proposal for the insurer after unveiling details of its approach yesterday."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/jc-flowers-ready-to-contact-shareholders-to-press-case-for-150pashare-friends-bid-805824.html

FP.

"JC Flowers, the US private equity group, tried to convince Friends Provident to open its books yesterday by providing financing details for its £3.5 billion bid but its efforts fell short after Friends refused to budge."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article3701467.ece

FP.

"Friends Provident was up 3.1p to 137p after The Sunday Times reported that JC Flowers was considering offering between 155p and 160p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3702256.ece

HMSO

"Hammerson gained in early trading but closed down 1p at £11.21 on a report in The Times that it was a likely target for Aldar, the Abu Dhabi property group. There were rumours of Middle Eastern stakebuilding in Hammerson last week."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3702256.ece

BGY

"British Energy was up 2½p at 713½p on reports that some of the foreign predators, such as RWE, of Germany, and EDF, of France, had joined forces with Centrica to mount a joint bid for the nuclear generator."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3702256.ece

NSR

"Nestor Healthcare Group, which provides out-of-hours GP services, initially tumbled to 33½p after revealing takeover discussions had terminated."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/08/cxmktrep108.xml

AGL

"Angle, a UK technology consulting company, jumped 15¼ to 41¾p after receiving a takeover approach. The indicative proposal values the group at 60p a share, which would be funded by the issue of new shares in the acquiring company."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/08/cxmktrep108.xml

MOSB

"Moss Bros, the men's clothing retailer, rose a further 4½ to 51¼p on continued hopes that another predator will trump a 42p-a-share approach from Icelandic retailer, Baugur."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/08/cxmktrep108.xml

FKI

"FKI crept up a further 1¾ to 73p on continued hopes that a bid for the engineering group would be launched shortly from declared predator Melrose. Blackstone, the private equity firm, is also understood to be considering its options."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/08/cxmktrep108.xml

BLND, LAND, HMSO

"Aldar, which owns £6bn worth of property assets in the United Arab Emirates, North Africa, the Middle East and Singapore, was reported to be mulling an offer for Land Securities, British Land and Hammerson. Land Securities fell 22p to £15.22, British Land dropped 2½ to 897p and Hammerson eased a penny to £11.21."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/08/cxmktrep108.xml

FP.

"Friends Provident rose 3.1 to 137p after private equity group JC Flowers detailed how it intended to finance its proposed takeover of the troubled life assurer. Last week its 150p-a-share cash proposal was rebuffed."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/08/cxmktrep108.xml

BGY

"Takeover hopes also helped lift sentiment, with British Energy rising as high as 754½p on continued hopes that a bidding war will break out for the nuclear energy group."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/08/cxmktrep108.xml

BGY

"Utility group Centrica all but conceded hopes of keeping nuclear power generator British Energy in UK hands over the weekend when details emerged of the firm's preliminary discussions with foreign companies about taking a minority role in any takeover deal."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/british-energy-will-be-foreign-owned-805421.html

MOSB

"Debenhams, which has seen its share price crash over the past two years, has held talks to buy menswear retailer Moss Bros."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/07/cndebs107.xml

RNK

"THE Richardson family, the leading private-property investors, has secretly upped its stake in Rank, the embattled casino and bingo operator, from 9.3% to more than 11%."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article3688391.ece

MOSB

"DEBENHAMS has held secret talks about mounting a takeover of the menswear chain Moss Bros, it emerged this weekend."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article3688343.ece

BGY

"Centrica has begun secret talks with EDF, the giant French utility, aimed at securing a £10bn "British-led solution" to the future of the country's nuclear power generator, British Energy."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/06/cncentrica106.xml

SSY

"SciSys, an IT consultant for the European Space Agency, the Ministry of Defence and TV broadcasters, rose 7¾p to 35p after it said that one of its trading partners had taken a “significant stake” in the company. It said that there were no bid discussions “at the current time”. The name of the predator is expected to be disclosed on Monday."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3686106.ece

SEG

"There was heavy turnover in SCI Entertainment, on renewed hopes that the producer of Lara Croft computer games could receive a takeover approach at a significant premium. Some dealers wondered if this was "just another Friday tale" as SCI has been rumoured for months to be on the verge of receiving a bid."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/05/cxmktrep105.xml

SEG

"Among smaller companies, SCI Entertainment gained 20.40 per cent or 10.25p to 60.50p on the back of bid rumours. The speculation suggested that the company, which owns the video games publisher Eidos, was about to be subject to a 100p per share offer. On market source suggested that the suitor may be a larger American peer."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-bhp-and-rio-are-good-buys-alone-or-together-804983.html

FKI

"FKI was weak yesterday as the market awaited a formal bid from Melrose, the engineering conglomerate which has been studying the firm's books. Rumours that a bid was due early next week failed to excite investors – the company has been a recurrent feature in market speculation over the past week."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-bhp-and-rio-are-good-buys-alone-or-together-804983.html

SEG

"Tomb Raider computer games group SCi Entertainment finished up 10.25p at 60.5p. The company, which recently announced it needed to raise £50m, has long been the subject of takeover rumours. Yesterday there was revived talk of a possible 80p a share offer."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/05/marketforces

SSY

"Software group SciSys is also on bid alert. Yesterday it said it had received "informal indications" that a significant stake in the company had been bought by one of its trading partners. It said there were no takeover talks going on, but it hoped to provide more information when it had got to the bottom of the story."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/05/marketforces

MOSB

"Retailer Moss Bros slipped 0.25p to 46.75p despite news that Laura Ashley had bought 250,000 more shares at 47p each to take its stake to 6.48%. Icelandic group Baugur has a 29% shareholding in Moss Bros and has made an indicative offer of 42p a share. Laura Ashley's stakebuilding has led to talk it might compete with any Baugur bid."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/05/marketforces

HICH

"Hichens, Harrison - the City's oldest stockbroker - rose 6p to 275p as Indian financial services business Religare Enterprises said it had agreed to buy the business for 285p a share or £55.5m."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/05/marketforces

VTI

"Virotec, an Australian business which makes a treatment for contaminated soil, added 2p to 10.75p as British rival Hydrodec bought 3.04% and announced a 12p a share offer for the company."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/05/marketforces

BGY

"British Energy climbed 48½p to an eight-month high of 711p on reports that EDF of France was preparing a bid. Evolution Securities reiterated its “buy” stance."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3686102.ece

CLN

"Coal International soared 6p to 38¼p after Cambrian Mining said that it was the mystery predator hinted at in January. Cambrian, which owns 34 per cent of its target, said it was considering a share offer, the level of which it had not yet decided."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3686106.ece

BGY

"Senior executives from Britain's power industry have begun lobbying Government ministers to ensure that at least one UK company is involved in some capacity in the takeover of British Energy."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/fears-for-nuclear-industry-grow-as-edf-eyes-british-energy-bid-804977.html

BGY

"Electricity prices could soar if EDF, the French electricity group, is allowed to take over British Energy, the UK’s main nuclear generator, in a £9 billion deal."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/utilities/article3685582.ece

BGY

"British Energy, the UK nuclear power company, jumped 48½ to 711p on speculation that French energy giant EDF is planning an offer for the company. French newspaper La Tribune sparked the rumours, reporting that EDF's directors had agreed to bid for the whole company, valuing it at about £7bn."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/05/cxmktrep105.xml

MOSB

"Dealers noted that Laura Ashley, the home furnishings and fashion retailer, had further increased its holding in menswear retailer Moss Bros Group. After the market closed it was revealed to have bought 250,000 shares at 47p each through investment vehicle Bagleys Investments, taking its holding to 6.1m shares - 6.5pc of the equity."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/05/cxmktrep105.xml

BRM

"Brinkley Mining rose 2.3 to 6.5p after revealing it had received a takeover approach. The UK-based company floated on Aim at 50p in June 2006."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/05/cxmktrep105.xml

ZTX

"Among the smaller stocks, Zetex leapt 38½ to 82p after the semiconductor company agreed to a £89.1m takeover from US rival Diodes. The bid values the group at 85.45p a share."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/05/cxmktrep105.xml

WTB

"Elsewhere, bid rumours gave a lift to Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn hotels and the Costa-branded chain of coffee shops. Market speculation suggested that Asif Aziz, the property magnate who has reportedly built an 8 per cent stake in the company via contracts for difference, was preparing to mount a bid for the business."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/market-report-investors-dig-in-to-xstrata-on-vale-tieup-hopes-804074.html

RAY

"Lower down the market Raymarine, which makes marine navigation equipment, surged 47.75p to 293.75p as it revealed it had received a bid approach. But Adam Steiner, head of research at SVG Investment Managers, which holds 0.39% of the company, was not impressed."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/03/marketforces.stockmarkets

SHP

"But pharmaceutical group Shire added 29p to £10.07 on renewed talk of a possible bid from Pfizer or AstraZeneca."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/03/marketforces.stockmarkets

HUA

"Heritage Underwriting became the latest Lloyd’s insurer to fall to an American takeover. It agreed a 154p bid from Argo Group International, more than double the 75p price at which KBC Peel Hunt brought it to the market in August 2006. It ended the day up 18½p at 152p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3671361.ece

RAY

"Raymarine, the provider of navigation devices for yachts, rose 47¾p to 293¾p after receiving a bid approach. Panmure Gordon raised its price target to 315p saying “in our view, a trade buyer could conclude a deal at 385p”, while private equity would manage only 325p."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3671361.ece