LONDON (AFX) - Here are the top stories on AFX News UK Jan manufacturing output unexpectedly drops monthly 0.2 pct
LONDON (AFX) - UK manufacturing output unexpectedly dropped in January though the wider measure of industrial production rose slightly as the Buzzard oil field came on stream, official figures showed.
The Office for National Statistics reported that manufacturing output, which accounts for 14.7 pct of the UK economy, fell by 0.2 pct in January from the previous month, below expectations for a 0.2 pct rise. Alliance Boots says has received takeover approach
LONDON (AFX) - Alliance Boots PLC, the international health and beauty group created from the merger of Boots Group and Alliance UniChem last July, said it has received 'a preliminary and highly conditional approach' regarding a possible takeover offer.
'There can, however, be no certainty that any offer for the company will be made,' it said in a terse statement to the stock exchange. Brevan Howard Macro raises 770 mln eur in IPO
LONDON (AFX) - Brevan Howard Macro Ltd said it has raised 770 mln eur by placing 82.8 mln shares in its initial public offering.
The company said the offer comprised of 27.2 mln eur shares at 10 eur each, 45.1 mln usd shares at 10 usd each and 10.5 mln stg shares at 10 stg each. Taylor Nelson Sofres buys US market research firm Retail Forward
LONDON (AFX) - Taylor Nelson Sofres PLC said it has bought US-based Retail Forward Inc to provide 'significant added momentum' to the rapid expansion of its successful retail and shopper research business.
Retail Forward posted revenue of 8.4 mln usd in the year ended Dec 31, 2006, with gross assets of 2.8 mln usd on that date, the market information company said. RTL says will not bid for Endemol, not looking at ITV
LONDON (AFX) - RTL said yesterday it will not bid for Endemol and is no longer looking at ITV, as it unveiled double-digit gains in earnings and handed back some of its spare cash as a special dividend, the Financial Times reported in its online edition.
The group, whose FremantleMedia content division produces American Idol and competes with Endemol and ITV Productions, would not participate in the auction started by Telefonica, Endemol's majority owner, the FT cited Gerhard Zeiler, chief executive. BAE Systems and VT Group set for 2 bln stg Saudi destroyer deal - report
LONDON (AFX) - Britain is aiming to win a 2 bln stg order from Saudi Arabia for the world's most advanced naval destroyer, which would be built by BAE Systems PLC and VT Group PLC, The Independent newspaper reported.
The proposed deal comes just three months after the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was forced to drop an investigation into claims BAE Systems bribed Saudi officials to secure the Al Yamamah arms-for-oil contract. Catlin FY pretax 521 mln usd; beats expectations
LONDON (AFX) - Catlin Group PLC, the Lloyd's insurer that took over rival Wellington Underwriting last year, reported better than expected annual profits, helped by lower hurricane-related claims.
The company said pretax profit for the year to Dec 31 came in at 521 mln usd, beating a consensus market forecast provided by the company of 455 mln usd. BP restarts production at Northstar oil field in Alaska
LONDON (AFX) - BP PLC said it has restarted production at the Northstar offshore oil field in Alaska after a leak in one of the pipes caused a three-week shutdown.
The 48,000 barrel-of-oil-equivalent-per-day field was shut down in mid-February after BP found a 'pinhole'-sized leak in one of the pipes during a routine check. Marshalls FY pretax profit rises 9.7 pct to 41.7 mln stg
LONDON (AFX) - Landscape products supplier Marshalls PLC reported a 9.7 pct rise in pretax profit for the full year to 31 December 2006, slightly above market expectations.
The company highlighted its robust trading performance during the year in what it describes as a flat building materials market. Pernod Ricard, Bacardi, Diageo eye Absolut vodka
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Three of the world's top spirits makers -- Pernod Ricard SA, Bacardi Ltd and Diageo PLC -- have told the Swedish government they are interested in buying the state-owned liquor group that makes Absolut vodka, a spokeswoman said Thursday.
The center-right government presented plans last week to sell the V&S Vin & Sprit AB liquor group as part of wider privatization plans. V&S owns several brands of liquor and wine, with Absolut its biggest moneymaker. Auto: London shares
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