Vodafone, the UK-listed mobile telecoms network, could see a break-up bid from private equity and trade players. There is speculation that private equity firms and trade players are considering joint ... [more]

TI Automotive Limited (TI) is open to expressions of interest but will look at an opportunistic refinancing of its capital structure in the absence of a sale. TI is a global supplier of fully integrat... [more]

Amec, the UK-based engineering and support services group, has chosen 15 bidders out of 40 interested parties for its French unit Amec Spie. The bidders are both trade buyers and private equity firms.... [more]

Ascribe has acquired Barwick Systems, the Stockton-based supplier of hospital patient administration systems, for £2m.... [more]

Sovereign Capital Partners has acquired Alkare, the Swansea-based provider of mental health care with 120 staff, and now plans to open further homes and therapy centres in Wales.... [more]

Jewson has acquired Connells Building Supplies, the Suffolk-based builders' merchant with sites in Framlingham, Ipswich, Woodbridge and Stowmarket, for undisclosed terms.... [more]

Oval Insurance has acquired CWB of Dunton Bassett and Malyon Lestrange of Broxbourne, as part of a strategy to expand its regional insurance broking business.... [more]

Halfords, the UK-listed car accessories company, is speculated to be a target for its previous predator and Japanese rival, Autobacs Seven. Autobacs already owns 5% in the company while CVC Partners o... [more]

BP, the UK-listed oil company, is rumoured to be a potential bid target for Exxon Mobil. Exxon Mobil posted a £19.2bn profit in 2005, and the US-listed oil company has £19bn spare cash. Exxon has said... [more]

National Grid, the UK electricity company, saw its shares rise to 603.5p amid rumours that German utility company RWE might be interested in making a bid. National Grid's market capitalization stands ... [more]

Hanson, the UK-listed builders merchant, has been mentioned as a bid target for Lafarge, its French rival. However, people close to Lafarge have downplayed the talk. Lafarge, which is listed in France... [more]

There are rumours of an imminent takeover bid for Prudential, the UK-listed insurance group. No potential bidders have been specified. Prudential's market capitalization stands at £14.42bn. ... [more]

Daily Mail and General Trust finance director Peter Williams said the listed UK newspaper publisher would consider offers for its assets. Williams said Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) would consid... [more]

European Motor Holdings (EMH) could become a takeover target for a rival. Traders pointed fingers to investor Jack Petchey who has 15% in EMH and had built up a sizeable stake in rival car dealer comp... [more]

The Taittinger champagne house and its associated French and American wineries have officially been put up for sale by Star GT Acquisition, the vehicle of American hotel entrepreneur Barry Sternlicht.... [more]

Caparo, the engineering business owned by Labour peer Lord Paul, has placed its Armstrong subsidiary into receivership because of a £36m pension scheme deficit. Armstrong, which makes vehicle componen... [more]

Cytomyx Holdings is to sell its Cytomyx Limited subsidiary to Serologicals UK for £4m, in order to focus on its US-based biorepository business.... [more]

Claimar Care Group is to acquire Walsall Homecare, the Walsall-based domiciliary care provider with 50 care workers, for £0.2m.... [more]

Maiden, the outdoor advertising company, is to be acquired by US-owned Titan Outdoor for £11m.... [more]

Nevisprint of Fort William and Highland Printers of Inverness have been acquired by NBH Holdings, creating one of Scotland's largest printing groups with 100 staff.... [more]