Aviation entrepreneur, Dómhnal Slattery has confirmed that his Dublin-based €4bn Avolon aircraft leasing business is profitable less than two years after launching in 2010.

Smurfit Kappa this week announced a big jump in its pre-tax profits.

A private equity firm is plotting a bid for Mothercare in a move that would end the UK retailer’s 40 years as a publicly listed company, reports said today.

START-UP costs totalling $15.3 million (€10.64m) for aviation financier Domhnall Slattery’s Avolon Aerospace Leasing group contributed to the group recording a loss of $35m (€24.3m) in its first year, new figures show.

IRISH-OWNED aircraft leasing company Avolon has completed its second significant fleet enhancement in less than a week.

IRISH aircraft leasing company Avolon is confident of further boosting its fleet, following its acquisition of two aeroplanes from Air Berlin for an undisclosed fee.

EUROPEAN private equity house Cinven has reportedly ended any interest it had in acquiring Irish pharmaceutical company Elan’s drug research arm, Elan Drug Technology (EDT), which is currently being hawked around the market for potential buyers.

The UK’s biggest care home operator responded to takeover speculation today by revealing it had received “general enquiries” from a number of parties.

SPECULATION is mounting that Dublin-listed CRH, one of the world’s leading builders suppliers, is the front-runner to buy Xella, the building materials company being sold by German conglomerate Haniel.

Cable company Virgin Media today confirmed it had received a takeover offer for the business.

Bid speculation involving Virgin Media returned this weekend after it was reported the cable company could be about to get an $8 billion (€5.9bn) approach from a private equity firm.

British healthcare giant Bupa agreed to sell its hospitals business today in a private equity deal worth £1.44bn (€2.13bn).

A US private equity group is believed to be mulling over a $15bn (€21.9bn) takeover approach for cable company Virgin Media, according to reports today.

Imperial Tobacco could be poised to make a third takeover approach to Gauloises cigarette maker Altadis, it was reported today.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury is today said to be just days away from receiving an £11bn (€16.4bn) takeover offer from a private equity consortium.

Shares in Sainsbury’s staged a fresh surge today amid ongoing speculation about takeover interest in the supermarket chain.

Profit taking and weaker metal prices caused the mining sector to drag on the London market today, while fading hopes of a bid battle for supermarket giant Sainsbury did little to cheer investors.

Weak performance from the mining sector and fading hopes of a takeover tussle for supermarket giant Sainsbury weighed heavy on the London market today.

The prospect of a private equity battle over UK retailing giant J Sainsbury receded today amid reports that Cinven had dropped plans to form a rival team to bid for the FTSE-100 Index company.

A fresh round of takeover speculation helped boost the London market today as the Footsie powered through the 6400 barrier during afternoon trading.

The FTSE 100 Index broke through the 6400 barrier before settling near to its opening mark today.

McVitie’s and Jacob’s owner United Biscuits agreed today to a £1.6bn (€2.4bn) takeover by a consortium made up of two private equity firms.

McVitie’s and Jacob’s owner United Biscuits agreed today to a £1.6bn (€2.4bn) takeover by two private equity firms.

A resurgent Morrisons led the London market forward today after the supermarket chain impressed the City with its half-year results.

A private-equity consortium interested in buying NTL is due to hold talks with senior executives of the cable operator today over a possible £10bn (€14.8bn) buyout, reports said today.

Foods giant Kraft was today believed to have struck a £575m (€831m) deal to acquire part of United Biscuits (UB), the UK-based maker of Jaffa Cakes.

A CHAIN of fitness centres owned by John Magnier, JP McManus and Dermot Desmond is expected to be put up for sale this week.

Directors of Virgin Mobile have been told by institutional investors not to accept any takeover bid from cable giant NTL that is less than 400p a share, it was reported today.

Surging oil and mining stocks put some gloss on an otherwise lacklustre session for the London market today.

A recovery in heavyweight oil and mining stocks saw the Footsie edge forward today after losses last week.

Broadcaster BSkyB is to grab a slice of the rapidly growing broadband market through an acquisition worth up to £150m (€220m), it was reported today.

Britrish car park operator NCP was today poised to change hands for the second time in three years in a deal worth £555m (€806m).

GYM operator Fitness First is set for a possible £800 million (€1.2bn) sale, according to weekend reports.

Car park operator NCP could be sold by its private equity owner following a strategic review, it was reported today.

Boots shares surged today as speculation over takeover interest from private equity firms caused investors to look beyond the retailer’s trading woes.

A potential stumbling block to a takeover of Woolworths emerged today after the fine print of a key contract revealed a change of control clause.

The boss of Woolworths was today reported to have been sounded out about the possibility of leading a management buyout of the high street retailer.

JJB Sports dealt a further blow to the retail sector today after lowering profits expectations in the wake of a tough Christmas season.

The race to land the over-50s financial services-to-holidays group Saga is thought to have narrowed to five possible contenders.

Asda owner Wal-Mart was today reported to be lining up a £1bn (€1.5bn) takeover bid for discount clothing chain Matalan.

TAKEOVER speculation surrounding WH Smith heightened yesterday amid reports the struggling retailer could be about to attract further bid interest.

Takeover speculation surrounding WH Smith heightened today amid reports the struggling retailer could be about to attract further bid interest.