The UK’s third biggest supermarket Sainsbury’s is today reported to be seeking a “put up or shut up” order if it does not receive a firm offer from its Qatari-backed suitors this week.

Cadbury Schweppes’ £8bn (€11bn) sale of its US drinks business could be under threat as bidders struggle to raise debt in tightening credit markets, it was reported today.

Alliance Boots chief executive Richard Baker quit the healthcare giant today as the company’s new owners announced a management overhaul.

The guardian of the Boots pension fund attacked the company today for backing a £11.1bn (€16.3bn) takeover before agreement had been reached on funding for future retirement benefits.

Alliance Boots’ shareholders will cast their votes today on the recommended £11.1bn (€16.3bn) takeover of the group by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and deputy chairman Stefano Pessina.

The battle for retailing giant Alliance Boots looked over today after private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts floored its rival with an £11bn (€16.2bn) bid.

Health and beauty giant Alliance Boots today backed a £10.6bn (€15.6bn) takeover by its deputy chairman Stefano Pessina and private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

The Bank of England’s decision to keep interest rates on hold gave the London market a welcome lift today.

The private equity consortium circling UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s could table an indicative £9.5bn (€14bn) offer before the Easter weekend, reports suggested today.

Fresh takeover talk in the retail sector lifted B&Q owner Kingfisher by more than 2% today, while Alliance Boots was also on the up following developments in its buyout saga.

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

Investors were eager to pick up shares in consumer products group Unilever today amid a raft of takeover speculation surrounding the group.

Alliance Boots shares were trading above £10 today as investors suspected that bidder Stefano Pessina will need to increase his proposed offer price.

The possible takeover interest in Alliance Boots fuelled expectations today that Sainsbury’s may avoid the clutches of private equity raiders.

The storm over the power of private equity funds is set to reignite with the news of a possible takeover of high street chain Boots.

Retail shares were sent soaring today by confirmation of private equity interest in a possible takeover bid for supermarket group Sainsbury’s.

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.

MINER Anglo American has received bid approaches from at least two private-equity consortiums for its paper and packaging division Mondi, which it plans to list, the Sunday Times has reported.

Retail giant GUS was today reported to have spurned a £7bn (€10bn) approach for its Experian credit checking agency.

Stronger mining stocks were the driving force for the London market today as the FTSE 100 Index finished well above the 4800 barrier.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed ahead today after the market benefited from a flurry of buying interest in the mining sector.

Takeover talk in the media sector helped the FTSE 100 Index hold its own above the 4800 threshold today.

The London market tumbled to its lowest level for three months today as banks, insurers and telecoms stocks weighed on trading.

The London market was set for a depressing end to the week today as the FTSE 100 Index was dragged lower by falls in telecoms and banking stocks.