Financial News

UNITED Co-operatives, the Rochdale-based retail group, has swooped for a chain of 56 chemists' shops with a £50m-plus turnover as takeover fever continues to grip the sector. In its biggest-ever deal, United has added the family-run P Williams group to its pharmacy business. The chain, which was founded 80 years ago, is based in Nantwich, Cheshire, and has branches across the north west and the ...

By Peter Marsh in LondonPublished: May 28 2006 22:04 | Last updated: May 28 2006 22:04The prospect of a shareholder revolt against moves to create the world's biggest steelmaker gathered pace on Sunday as several investors in Luxembourg-based Arcelor spoke out against a proposed merger with Severstal of Russia. Goldman Sachs, the US investment bank, sought to co-ordinate resistance to the deal by ...

This is Money28 May 2006 HERE is This is Money's round-up of some of the bigger stories from the Sunday finance and business pages: OTHER STORIES Tesco to spark PC price war Drained of £26bn by water firms Market report: Friday close Vodafone to 500 jobs Giants set for big steps THE EDITOR'S TOP TIP TOP STORY: The false 0% deal TOP TOOL: Travel insurance finder CHAT: 'Wh ...

The United Steelworkers union has urged workers at the Sudbury operations of Canadian mining firm Inco to reject the firm's latest contract. "Its an insult to our members" said Wayne Fraser, a representative with the United Steelworkers union. Wages, pensions and job security were all points of dispute, said Mr Fraser, and a strike, which he had said was possible on Friday, is more likely. Inco said there was still time to talk before the 31 May deadline. "Anything is possible between now an ...

Tom McGhie, Mail on Sunday28 May 2006 SPANISH construction giant Ferrovial will table an increased takeover offer for BAA despite last week's shock announcement that competition authorities are to investigate the dominance of the airport operator. MONEY SPINNER: BAA has delivered strong profits from its airports and shops WANT TO KNOW MORE? REPORT: BAA faces break-up threat FREE SERVICE: Company reports ADVICE & TIPS: Investing news OTHER STORIES Tesco to spark P ...

Andrew Leach, Mail on Sunday28 May 2006 TESCO is set to spark a price war in the £1bn -a-year personal computer market by offering a permanent range of major brand products. CUT PRICES: Tesco is to step into PC selling through its stores sparking a price war WANT TO KNOW MORE? SPECIAL REPORT: Supermarket watch GUIDES: Money saving tips and advice SWITCH & SAVE: Slash broadband costs POLL: Sainsbury's is winning back customers and boosting profits. Which is your fa ...