BREWING giant SABMiller agreed to buy Foster’s Group for a sweetened price of A$9.9 billion (€7.48bn) yesterday after talks between the two last week ended in a couple of beers which sealed the deal this week.

London’s leading shares index fell into the red today after a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that time was running out to tackle threats to the economic recovery.

Australian brewer Foster’s Group posted a nearly 9% drop in full-year profits today as Australian beer sales fell.

London’s blue chip market broke through the 6,000 mark for the first time in more than a month today as its run of gains continued despite falls in the banking sector.

Melbourne/London: SAB Miller said it would keep talking to Foster’s Group after Australia’s largest brewer rejected the global giant’s A$9.5 billion (€6.9bn) cash takeover offer as too low.

Australian brewer Foster’s Group has rejected a AUS$9.5bn cash takeover offer from London-based beer-maker SABMiller, saying the bid undervalues the company.

Steve Coogan is in discussions about the possibility of bringing back Alan Partridge.

Australian brewer and winemaker Foster's Group reported a 12% drop in half-year net profit as torrential rain and flooding across parts of the country hit domestic beer sales.

Australian lager giant Foster’s has rebuffed an unsolicited private equity approach for its wine business worth between AUS$2.3bn (€1.65bn) and AUS$2.7bn (€1.95bn) Australian dollars.

Dutch brewing giant Heineken today said Foster’s lager was the chief casualty of a “exceptionally challenging” UK beer market in 2008 as sales came under pressure.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch today agreed a US$52bn (€32.7bn) takeover bid from Stella Artois maker InBev.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch is planning a defence as speculation grows over a takeover approach from rival and Stella Artois firm InBev, according to reports today.

The UK’s biggest brewer, Scottish & Newcastle, is expected to fall into foreign hands today after its £7.8bn (€9.9bn) takeover by rivals Heineken and Carlsberg.

The UK’s biggest brewer, Scottish & Newcastle, will fall into foreign hands tomorrow after its £7.8bn (€9.9bn) takeover by rivals Heineken and Carlsberg.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch is considering making a counter bid for beer and cider group Scottish & Newcastle, according to a report today.

Energy companies took a tumble today after regulator Ofgem opened an inquiry into the electricity and gas supply markets.

One of the most volatile weeks in the London market’s recent history ended today with the FTSE 100 Index barely changed on its starting point.

The FTSE 100 Index posted further gains today following a revival in US and Asian markets.

Last orders loomed for Foster’s brewer Scottish & Newcastle today after it agreed a £7.8bn (€10.5bn) takeover offer from rivals Heineken and Carlsberg.

Foster’s brewer Scottish & Newcastle was today given an extra 24 hours to agree a £7.8bn (€10.4bn) takeover by rivals Carlsberg and Heineken.

The FTSE 100 Index powered to gains of almost 4% today as investors took a lead from buoyant US markets in the latest twist to a volatile week.

Foster’s brewer Scottish & Newcastle faces a critical day in its future tomorrow as a key deadline for its European takeover suitors looms.

Foster’s brewer Scottish & Newcastle today entered talks with its European suitors over a possible £7.8bn (€10.5bn) offer for the company.

Scottish & Newcastle continued to frustrate Carlsberg and Heineken today after the UK firm rejected another takeover approach from the brewing giants.

IF the construction of sporting stadia were the barometer of economic well-being instead of housing, you would be forgiven for thinking the world is in a golden age of uncharted prosperity.

The London market’s winning run came to a halt today as nerves over major banks overshadowed trading.

Brewer SABMiller today said soaring demand for its Polish beer brands in the UK had contributed to a 14% hike in half-year earnings.

A profits warning from Currys owner DSG International weighed on retailers today and pushed blue-chip stocks into negative territory.

Brewing giants Carlsberg and Heineken today said they were considering a potential joint bid for Foster’s brewer Scottish & Newcastle.

The London market today made a lacklustre beginning to the week despite renewed hopes of a rescue bid for crisis-hit mortgage lender Northern Rock.

London’s blue-chips made firm advances today as financial and housebuilding stocks returned to form.

Shares in Foster’s brewer Scottish & Newcastle soared today amid market speculation over bid interest from Danish rival Carlsberg.

The London market clawed back some of yesterday's losses today to come back within sight of the 6,400 mark as a mix of strong corporate results, and higher precious metal prices led a modest recovery.

BEAMISH & Crawford, the Cork-based brewer, has reported another successful year. Beer sales across its Beamish stout, Miller and Foster brands were up by 10% compared with 2005.

THE new owner of Foster’s lager in Europe wasted no time in unveiling plans for the brand’s first major launch in more than 10 years.

The new owner of Foster’s lager in Europe wasted no time today in unveiling plans for the brand’s first major UK launch in more than 10 years.

A strong performance from Marks & Spencer was not enough to stop the London markets heading into the red today as a string of financial stocks came under pressure.

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is on the look-out for a new sponsor for next season.

Brewing giant Scottish & Newcastle was today toasting a £309m (€444.1m) deal that gave it full ownership of the Foster’s lager brand in Europe.

Brewing giant Foster’s today said that higher annual profits from sales of beer overseas had been eroded by a sharp drop in US wine trade.

Australia’s biggest winemaker Foster’s Group will have a one-time loss of as much as €170 million at its wine unit as a glut in California prompts competitors to cut prices.

Holywood teenager Rory McIlroy cruised into the last 16 of the Standard Life West of Ireland Championship with two brilliant performances at Rosses Point.

SCOTTISH & Newcastle Plc, the biggest brewers in Britain and owners of Beamish and Crawford, posted flat 2003 profits yesterday.

Brewer Scottish & Newcastle today said encouraging sales of its leading beer brands had boosted the business during a year of transformation.