1. Direct Line accepts enlarged takeover offer from Aviva
Aviva’s offer represents a 73.3% premium to Direct Line’s closing share price on November 27, when Aviva first approached the group with a takeover proposal.
2. House prices surge to new record after strongest growth in two years
Month on month, prices ticked up by 1.3%, marking the fifth consecutive positive reading.
3. FTSE 100 Live
Stocks drop.
4. Thames Water break-up and listing proposed under new bid
British infrastructure investor Covalis tabled an offer ahead of Thursday’s deadline for indicative bids, according to the Financial Times.
5. NatWest cuts as mortgage rates fall for second successive week
Come Friday, interest on the typical two-year fix was at 5.4894%, against 5.5197% a week ago.