1. Carlsberg to fortify UK business with Pepsi maker Britvic takeover
Carlsberg’s cash offer places a £3.3 billion valuation on Britvic, or £4.1 billion when including debt.
2. Labour to restore mandatory housebuilding targets
Reeves, who became the UK’s first female chancellor following Labour’s sweeping victory over the Conservatives, said Labour will launch a task force "to accelerate stalled housing sites in our country".
3. FTSE 100 Live
Blue chips tick higher.
4. Shock French election signals end to pro-growth reforms
The left and centrist factions of France’s political class combined to deliver a major blow to Marine Le Pen’s populist National Rally party, with the prospect of a hung parliament now emerging.
5. Major Keywords Studios shareholder savages ‘opportunistic’ takeover bid
EQT and Keywords agreed to the £2.1 billion bid last week but while it represents a 67% premium to the share price when the initial approach was made public in May, Octopus is unimpressed by this valuation.