Smash Hit

Eastern promise lifts spirits at Prudential

The insurer's shares were in demand after a takeover in the Far East underlined the value of its business in the region

Petra’s sparkle has appeal

The miner was the subject of speculation that it would take advantage of a good run and initiate a £60 million fundraising

In the know: Kalahari Minerals; IP Group; Vodafone

Gilts — Rumour of the day — Deal of the day — Bet of the day — Tiddler to watch

Cadbury: ‘It's all about the shareholders’

Rick Haythornthwaite, veteran takeover battler, explains how the chocolate company can stave off Kraft’s hostile bid

Up your bid, Kraft. Up your game, Cadbury

UK shareholders urge predator to raise offer, but also say prey must present a ‘strong case’ for staying independent

Kraft figures were slugs, snails and cheese

Declining revenues in North America show why the company needs the sugar and spice and all things nice of Cadbury

Tempus: Enjoy the ride as IMI steams ahead

The company, which supplies hydraulic controls for trains, released its year-end trading update a week ahead of schedule

Reliance plans swoop on LyondellBasell

India's biggest company weighs up multibillion-dollar swoop on the American assets of the collapsed chemicals group

Dow hit new year high on G20 boost

Leading nations pledged to maintain economic stimulus to strengthen recovery increasing market confidence

Playfire investment ... Aurum refinancing ... Dubai repayment ...

Need to know: comprehensive news coverage sector by sector

King’s family threat from retail rivals

J Sainsbury will report interim results this week, with sector watchers keen to find cracks in the Justin King recovery story

Investors do not follow Leed Petroleum

Shares in the AIM-listed oil and gas explorer tumbled 2.88p to 7p after it said it would raise £20m in a share placing

Segro sells site ... L'Oreal prettier ... Skype pact

Need to know: Comprehensive news coverage sector by sector

Rio gains from talk of increased BHP interest

Rio shares were in demand after Citigroup clamed that the miner was still the deal that made the most sense for BHP

In the know: GKN; Westminster; gold; Kentz

Gilts; rumour of the day; deal of the day; bet of the day; tiddler to watch

Cadbury gives us a taste of mergers to come

Muted economic growth has made corporate sales and profits difficult — merger and acquisition provides an alternative

GM boss 'can run carmaker as global group'

But thousands of Opel workers pour on to the streets of Germany to vent their anger against the US-based company

Tempus: Invensys shows the appeal of railways

Once again, it was the rail division of the FTSE 100 automation and controls group that was the stand-out performer - Nick Hasell

Rentokil cleans up after management delivers

The ratcatcher was in demand as it received a boost from its house broker on the eve of its third-quarter results