The Irish-owned glass and packaging group, Ardagh has announced the raising of $1.53bn (€1.12bn) in fresh debt financing to fund its stalled takeover of Verallia North America (VNA).

Grafton Group has reported a 7.4% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first 10 months of this year, supported by improved trading conditions in its main geographical markets.

US regulators have stalled a €1.3bn takeover planned by Irish glass and packaging group Ardagh, claiming the proposed move is “anti-competitive”.

Kingspan cut its combined executive pay levels by nearly 30% last year, according to its newly published annual report.

Glass and packaging group Ardagh has reached initial agreement to acquire Verallia North America — the second largest glass container manufacturer in the US — from French multinational, Saint-Gobain for around $1.7bn (€1.27bn).

London's FTSE 100 Index held firm today despite another rocky session for banks as worries mounted over a possible debt default in the US.

Sharply lower oil prices helped the London market break a three-day losing streak today as the blue chip share index rallied 2.5%.

Investors had fresh cause for celebration today after London’s second-tier FTSE 250 Index broke through the 10,000 landmark for the first time.

CATERING group Compass is understood to have approached the former chief executive of plasterboard maker BPB to take over as chief executive, it was reported yesterday.

The UK’s largest homebuilder and a Kazakh copper mine were promoted to the FTSE 100 Index tonight at the expense of household names Whitbread and William Hill.

Ports and ferries group P&O tonight won the race to replace BPB in the ranks of the UK’s top 100 companies after the plasterboard maker stopped trading following a foreign takeover.

London-based packaging group Rexam was today thought to be pondering a £3bn (€4.4bn) approach for the bottle making arm of Jewson owner Saint-Gobain.

A busy session for corporate activity today revitalised the FTSE 100 Index and eased concerns that its recent rally had run its course.

Glass maker Pilkington rejected a takeover approach today from its biggest shareholder on the grounds that it was too low.

The London market shrugged off uncertainty over yesterday’s attacks in the capital to end the week in positive territory.

Financial stocks dragged the top flight down today as uncertainty continued to dog the market after the latest terror attacks.

Top flight stocks stayed in positive territory today despite the second attack on London’s transport system in as many weeks.

French glass and building materials group Saint-Gobain said today it was mulling a takeover offer for UK plasterboard manufacturer BPB.

Four other members of France Telecom's 21-strong board stood down in solidarity with chairman Michel Bon, who tendered his resignation to the government.

Share prices closed sharply lower, particularly among Dassault Systemes and other high-tech names as consolidation in the sector picked up pace this afternoon with a drifting performance by the Nasdaq composite, dealers said.