Sanofi-aventis will probably need to increase its US$69 a share offer for Genzyme Corp to over US$75 a share to achieve a deal.

Two years after entering a bid to acquire London-based mobile satellite company Inmarsat, US hedge fund Harbinger Capital is rumoured to be looking to make a second approach to buyout the company.

British defence company Chemring – which makes everything from missile countermeasures to devices for neutralising improvised explosive devices – is buying Roke Manor Research from Siemens for £55m in cash.

The proposals for consideration by the UK Takeover Panel in its recent consultation were a direct response to calls by political and market commentators for a review of takeover regulation in the UK. The suggestions can be broadly categorised into those that are more far-reaching or radical and others that would arguably impact more on the day-to-day conduct of a bid.

France Telecom, which owns the Orange brand, has Morocco’s second-largest telecoms operator, Meditel, in its sights, with reports that it could end up buying a 40% stake worth €650m. A deal could even be agreed as early as this summer.

Candover’s decision to wind down its portfolio, after its own sale failed, confirms that existing investments being sold by rival firms will remain a major source for private equity deals.

Energy investments continue to dominate China’s overseas acquisitions, as the gap between the country’s domestic production and the resources it needs to sustain its vast manufacturing economy grows wider and wider.