Brewing giant Heineken today said its recent takeover of Scottish & Newcastle helped boost half-year results after it hiked prices and slashed costs.

DRINKS group C&C’s move to replace former chief executive Maurice Pratt, with the former head of Scottish & Newcastle, could be just the tonic needed to boost the struggling Magners brand.

JOHN DUNSMORE was chief executive of Scottish & Newcastle until the joint acquisition by Heineken and Carlsberg in April.

WHETHER either the Beamish & Crawford brewery on Cork’s South Main Street or the Heineken Ireland brewery on the city’s Watercourse Road will still be in operation in two years time is a very real question as the news is digested that the Competition Authority won’t be stopping the takeover of Ireland’s oldest brewery by Heineken Ireland.

THE first month of summer brought little sunshine for drinks group C&C which saw sales of Magners cider at British pubs and restaurants slump 23% in May.

London’s leading share index fell nearly 2% into the red today after a flurry of bad retail news and deepening gloom for housebuilders frayed nerves.

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.

Shareholders of brewer Scottish and Newcastle will meet today to vote on a proposed £7.8bn (€9.8bn) takeover of the company.

The EU Competition Authority has delayed until April 4 any decision relating to the takeover of Beamish & Crawford (B&C) by the Heineken and Carlsberg breweries.

A MANAGEMENT buyout at the Beamish & Crawford brewery in Cork could be the final resolution to concerns raised by the Irish Competition Authority to Heineken’s proposed €10.5 partial billion takeover of Scottish & Newcastle.

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.

The London market moved well into positive territory today as trading gained momentum amid hopes of more interest rate cuts in the US.

The FTSE 100 Index lost ground today as high oil prices and weak banking stocks cast a shadow over London trading.

Brewer Scottish & Newcastle today announced plans to close its Reading brewery with the potential loss of 362 jobs.

Heineken & Carlsberg announced this morning their offer to buy Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), the parent company of Beamish & Crawford.

Unions were seeking jobs guarantees today after the UK’s biggest brewer accepted a £7.8bn (€10.48bn) takeover offer from European rivals Carlsberg and Heineken.

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.

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.

Takeover target Scottish & Newcastle unveiled plans for a leaner business today as the brewer wards off an unwanted £7.3bn (€10.2bn) approach from European rivals Carlsberg and Heineken.

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

UK brewer Scottish & Newcastle received a new takeover proposal today after bidders Carlsberg and Heineken topped up their offer price to £7.3bn (€10.2bn).

BREWER Scottish & Newcastle is reportedly plotting to sell the holding company behind one of its prized assets to block a potential hostile takeover by Carlsberg and Heineken.

Brewer Scottish & Newcastle is today reportedly plotting to sell the holding company behind one of its prized assets to block a potential hostile takeover by Carlsberg and Heineken.

Brewing group Scottish & Newcastle led London shares higher today after European rivals Heineken and Carlsberg confirmed long-running speculation over their interest in the firm.

Scottish & Newcastle shares jumped 20% today after rivals Carlsberg and Heineken admitted their interest in a joint takeover bid.

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

Foster’s brewer Scottish & Newcastle promoted an insider to its top job today after confirming the departure of chief executive Tony Froggatt.

Takeover speculation surrounding Foster's brewer Scottish & Newcastle and broadcaster ITV failed to stop the Footsie heading into reverse today.

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

Persistent takeover speculation regarding brewer Scottish & Newcastle saw shares in the group climb 6% today.

Shares in Scottish & Newcastle surged today after a report said rival firms Diageo and SABMiller had been considering a £9bn (€13.3bn) takeover.

Fading takeover hopes saw brewer Scottish & Newcastle give back some of its recent gains today as it led a downturn for the London market.

SABMiller, the London-based brewing giant of South African descent, has been linked to a £6.5 billion (€9.5bn) takeover of Scottish & Newcastle, the British drinks group which owns Beamish & Crawford.

The FTSE 100 Index finished deep in negative territory today as results from a host of blue-chip firms failed to inspire the London market.

A clutch of heavyweight companies were sharply higher today after posting annual results.

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

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.

Shares in oil giant BP took a further hit today as investors pondered the impact of the on-going pipeline closure in Alaska.