China equity funds took in a record $4.6bn from foreign investors over the past week, more than double the previous high set in the second quarter of 2008.
IC TIP UPDATES:
FTSE 250 construction and support services company Carillion (CLLN) has acquired Canadian remote-site accommodation business Outland Group for £63m in order to boost its operations in Canada.
North Sea driller Xcite Energy (XEL) delivered its first quarter update, detailing the reserves increase at the key Bentley field, along with a switch in its presentation currency to US dollars. Net loss for the period came in at $0.45m, while the cash balance stands at $41m.
KEY STORIES:
The UK government looks determined to sell off its 80 per cent stake in RBS (RBS). The troubled banking group is now inviting investment banks to pitch for an enlarged broking role, including that of privatisation advisers. This hasn’t been necessary for the sale process at Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) – where the government has sold more than half its 40 per cent stake over the past two years.
Hornby (HRN), the historic models and collectibles group, has announced the launch of a new in-house crowd-funding platform. KitStarter will allow customers to choose and commit to purchase models that Airfix could re-introduce from its back catalogue.
88 Energy (88E) confirmed its exit from its Moroccan project has now been officially signed off. It has received notification from the Minister for Energy and Minister for Finance, confirming the transfer of 88’s interest in the Tarfaya offshore block to Galp.
Further to previous announcements made by Synergy Health (SYR) about its proposed tie-up with STERIS Corporation, the company confirmed that it will contest the attempt to block their proposed combination by the US Federal Trade Commission.
Imperial Innovations (IVO) has announced the appointment of Dr Paolo Paoletti chairman of portfolio company Kesios Therapeutics, which is developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of multiple myeloma and other cancers.
Cosmetics manufacturer Swallowfield (SWL) has completed its £1.15m acquisition of The Real Shaving Company from Creightons.
US data centre company Equinix Inc has agreed to buy UK peer Telecity Group (TCL) in a deal worth £2.35bn, thereby ending Telecity's pursuit of smaller Dutch firm Interxion Holding NV.
OTHER COMPANY UPDATES:
Avago Technologies, one of the world's largest producers of semiconductors, is buying its California-based rival Broadcom for $37bn.
Monitise (MONI) confirmed that a Deferred consideration comprising 7,998,496 new ordinary shares has been issued as deferred consideration for the acquisition of Monitise Yazilim A.S. (formerly Pozitron Yazilim A.S.), announced on 3 February 2014.
Reports have emerged that Amazon.com Inc. is preparing to expand its range of private-label brands to include an array of grocery items such as milk, cereal, and baby food as well as household cleaners
