Takeover target Sainsbury’s today hailed higher than expected sales figures driven by a strong performance from new stores and higher grocery prices.

Private equity bidders circling British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s were today given until April 13 to declare whether they intend to make an offer.

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.

Private equity group Permira was today said to be poised to make a bid for the frozen foods arm of Unilever which includes Birds Eye.

A CONSORTIUM of private equity firms was yesterday reported to be preparing a €1.4 billion bid for Unilever’s frozen foods arm which includes Birds Eye.

DEPARTMENT store Debenhams was yesterday reported to be finalising plans for a £3 billion (€4.3bn) flotation and will launch on the London Stock Exchange as soon as next month.

Department store Debenhams was today reported to be finalising plans for a £3bn (€4.3bn) flotation and will launch on the London Stock Exchange as soon as next month.

Mobile phone tycoon John Caudwell looked set for a massive windfall today amid reports the sale of his business empire could net £1bn (€1.46bn).

The London market suffered a sharp sell-off this afternoon in spite of bid speculation adding more than £1 billion to the value of British Gas owner Centrica.

Potential bidders circling the Ladbrokes betting shop chain were today told their offers undervalued the long-term prospects of the business.

Record profits of £12.9bn (€19bn) from Royal Dutch Shell proved insufficient to send shares in the oil giant into positive territory today.

The owner of Pepsi cola was today reported to have entered the battle for ownership of the European drinks arm of Cadbury Schweppes.

UK book printers Bath Press, Cox and Wyman and Mackays have been bought as part of a deal worth €450m, it emerged today.

Tyre maker Bridgestone was said to be in pole position today in the race to land Kwik-Fit, the £1bn (€1.5bn)-rated car parts and repair specialist.

Car tyres and exhaust specialist Kwik-Fit confirmed it was up for sale today after beginning an auction process that could fetch a reported £800m (€1.18m).

Car parts and repair specialist Kwik-Fit could be valued at up to £1bn (€1.45bn) were it to be auctioned in the coming months, a report said today.

British Gas owner Centrica today bought building repair company Dyno-Rod in a £57.6m (€83.9m) deal that boosted its home services operation.

DEBENHAMS, the British department stores group currently the subject of a £1.66 billion takeover bid, has reported a pre-tax profits rise of 9.6%.

British department store chain and takeover target Debenhams has reported year profits and current sales in line with forecasts.