LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Here are the top stories on Thomson Financial News Alliance Boots recommends 10.6 bln stg offer from KKR/Pessina
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The board of Alliance Boots PLC, the international health and beauty retailer, has recommended an improved 10.90 stg a share takeover offer from Stefano Pessina, executive deputy chairman and 15 pct shareholder, and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), the US private equity group, the parties said in a statement.
The improved offer, which is inclusive of any final dividend to be declared for the year to March 2007, values the group at 10.6 bln stg. A previous indicative offer of 10.40 stg a share valued the group at 10.1 bln stg. WPP Q1 like-for-like revenues up over 4 pct
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - WPP Group PLC, the UK advertising and marketing services firm, said like-for-like revenues grew 4.3 pct in the first quarter, with strong growth in Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, continuing to compensate for weaker growth in the UK and US.
The world's second-largest advertising and marketing group, home to Young & Rubicam and J Walter Thompson agencies, said in a trading update that reported revenues were down 0.7 pct to 1.36 bln stg, due mainly to the weak dollar against the pound sterling. UK March retail sales up 0.3 pct on month, 4.8 pct on year
LONDON (Thomson) - Retail sales in the UK continued to rise in March but at a slower pace than in February, official figures showed today.
The Office for National Statistics said retail sales on a seasonally adjusted basis rose by 0.3 pct between March and February, slower than February's 1.6 pct monthly pace, which was revised up from 1.4 pct previously. BT acquires Comsat International for undisclosed sum
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - BT Group PLC said it has bought Latin American corporate and public sector data communications provider Comsat International for an undisclosed sum.
The deal is thought to be worth 100 mln stg. Persimmon to gatecrash Woodrow-Wimpey merger - report
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Britain's largest house builder Persimmon PLC, and private equity firms are preparing to gatecrash the 5.5 bln stg merger of George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow, the Times reported citing sources close to the suitors.
However the potential bidders will wait for the merger documents from Wimpey and Woodrow, due in the next four weeks, before making a move. AstraZeneca gives drugs distribution contract to two wholesalers
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - AstraZeneca PLC has moved to gain more control over its supply chain and appointed the UK's two biggest drug wholesalers to deliver its medicines directly to pharmacies, dispensing doctors and hospitals.
It has awarded contracts to Celesio AG's British distribution unit AAH Pharmaceuticals and Alliance Boots PLC's wholesale unit UniChem. Alliance Boots today recommended a 10.6 bln stg takeover offer from Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and its deputy chairman Stefano Pessina. HSBC eyeing Brazilian arm of ABN Amro - report
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - HSBC Holdings PLC would be a serious bidder for the 7 bln stg Brazilian arm of ABN-Amro Holdings NV if the group becomes the subject of a bidding war, the Times reported without citing sources.
Banco ABN Amro Real is Brazil's biggest foreign-owned bank and HSBC is understood to regard it as a major prize if it could be won, the paper said. Liberty Intl says financial ratios 'robust', well placed for measured expansion
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Property group Liberty International PLC said its financial ratios, including a debt to asset ratio of 36 pct at Dec 31, are 'robust' and that the company is well placed for the 'measured expansion' of its business.
The company said it is in a good position to continue to prosper after having had an 'exceptionally busy' first three months of the financial year since obtaining UK real estate investment trust (REIT) status on Jan 1. BP says 90 workers overcome by fumes at Texas City refinery, taken to hospital
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - BP PLC said around 90 workers at its Texas City refinery were taken to hospital last night complaining of eye irritation and nausea after being 'overcome by fumes.'
The workers were carrying out repair and upgrade work on oil processing unit Pipestill 3B, which has been closed since Hurricane Rita caused the refinery to shut down in 2005. John Lewis week to April 14 sales down 13.6 pct year-on-year
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - John Lewis Partnership, the employee-owned retailer, said total sales in the week to April 14 came in at 107.58 mln stg, a 13.6 pct decrease compared with the same period last year.
Sales at the company's 26-strong chain of department stores were down 9.9 pct at 41.94 mln stg, while sales at its Waitrose supermarket business fell 15.8 pct to 65.42 mln stg. Chrysalis radio auction fails to attract expected bidders - report
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Several companies that were expected to submit bids in the first round of the auction for Chrysalis Group's radio operations have failed to meet the deadline, the Financial Times reported
The paper said it is understood that UTV and several private equity firms have not submitted bids, although they can still put in a bid at a later round. COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.