The world’s leading drinks can maker Rexam boosted its presence in Russia today after agreeing to buy rival Rostar for £149m (€221m).

Rentokil Initial posted a 17% slump in profits today but insisted its turnaround strategy was on track.

CHUBB Plc, the British security company that is in talks to be acquired, may cost more than £1 billion (€1.4bn), limiting potential suitors to private-equity firms and companies as large as Rentokil Initial Plc, analysts say.