Zimpapers Logo

and tracked the latest takeover talk doing the rounds.
In midday deals, London’s FTSE 100 index of top shares added 0,23 percent to 6 031,29 points and Frankfurt’s DAX 30 gained 0,25 percent to 7 461,87.

On the downside, in Paris the CAC 40 index fell 0,34 percent to 3 989,70 points and the Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies dipped 0,23 percent to 2 863,55.
“There is little change to the FTSE 100 . . . With US markets set to re-open this afternoon following yesterday’s holiday, most traders are waiting for this before making any major decisions,” said analyst Ben Critchely at traders IG Index.

New York’s financial markets will reopen for business after closing for the Independence Day.
The top gainer in London, meanwhile, was British household products and drugs group Reckitt Benckiser.

Reckitt shares leapt by 2,18 percent to 3,565 pence in midday trading on the FTSE 100 index, as investors were gripped by takeover bid speculation, dealers said.
“The UK consumer goods firm has been the subject of bid talk for quite some time, with some press mentioning its bigger rival Proctor & Gamble as a potential suitor,” said Giles Watts, head of equities at City Index.
“It remains to be seen as to whether any definitive bid may come from the rumours but certainly investors remain hopeful that the sector may be primed for consolidation.” – AFP.