Prudential-Bache International of the US has acquired Matheson Investment, the London-based stockbroking firm, from Jardine Matheson for undisclosed terms. ... [more]

Petroline WellSystems, the Aberdeen-based oilfield services company, has been acquired by Weatherford International of the US for GBP 104m.... [more]

Diploma is to sell its electronic component distribution business to Avnet for GBP 37m. ... [more]

James Halstead has sold its Driza-Done clothing division in Australia to Outback Consortium for GBP 2.1m, and the proceeds will be used to expand its floorcoverings business. ... [more]

Gaskell is to acquire Tomkinsons, the carpet company, for GBP 11m, and closures at the combined group's 10 plants have not been ruled out.... [more]

Cadbury Schweppes has agreed the sale of its South African soft drinks business to Coca-Cola for GBP 153m. ... [more]

Bett Brothers has sold its precast concrete division to the Hillhead Quarry Company for GBP 1.1m. ... [more]

Domestic & General, the insurance company, has acquired Teega Agencies, the customer promotions company, for GBP 0.9m. ... [more]

Select Appointments is to be acquired by Vedior of the Netherlands for GBP 1.14bn, creating the third largest staffing agency in the world.... [more]

Henlys is to acquire Blue Bird Corporation, the US school bus manufacturer, for GBP 267m, prompting speculation that Volvo is about to bid for Henlys. ... [more]

Britannia Building Society has sold its life assurance business and 75% of its asset management division to Britannic, in a GBP 346m deal.... [more]

Cadbury Schweppes is linking up with Carlyle Group to acquire Dr Pepper Bottling Company of Texas for GBP 432m, in order to create the largest independent bottler in the US. ... [more]

Vodafone Distribution is to acquire UniqueAir, the mobile phone service provider, from Unipart for about GBP 50m. ... [more]

Aortech is to acquire the Yorkshire-based heart valve business of Tissuemed for up to GBP 1m. ... [more]

Reed Print & Design has acquired carton producer Kelly Packaging of Gateshead, and the company hopes to create up to 250 jobs by expanding its business in domestic and international markets. ... [more]

BCB International, the Cardiff-based manufacturer of outdoor pursuit products, has sold its camping division to Simpson Lawrence, in order to focus on its core military and commercial marine markets. ... [more]

AM Paper, the Lancashire-based tissue company, is to be acquired by SCA of Sweden for GBP 192m. ... [more]

De La Rue is to sell its smart cards business to Francois-Charles Oberthur of France for GBP 200m. ... [more]

Hanson is to acquire the European brick operations of Boral for GBP 59m, in order to strengthen its business in Poland, Germany and the Netherlands. ... [more]

Television Corporation is to buy Mentorn, the independent production company, and is now seeking additional UK acquisitions. ... [more]