Johnson & Johnson may sell the global trauma business of its DePuy unit to Biomet Inc for $280m (€210m) in cash to remove a regulatory obstacle to its planned purchase of Synthes Inc.

Shares in medical device maker Smith & Nephew offered some cheer today as the London market headed to the Christmas break with a whimper.

Wall Street extended its advance today as investors considered several takeover developments and placed bets ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates.

Foods group Unilever added weight today during an otherwise lacklustre session for the London market.

Medical devices maker Smith & Nephew today confirmed it had held merger talks with an American rival.