Takeover news keeps FTSE steady

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The FTSE 100 is slightly up in early trading with a rise of 2.2 points, or 0.03%, to 6,557.7, as two big takeover deals have failed to boost the index.

Reuters is up 3.43% to 626.25p, as Thomson has agreed a deal to buy the firm for £8.7bn to create the world's biggest financial news and data group, while Hanson has climbed 3.41% to £10.93, as it recommended an £11 per share takeover bid from HeidelbergCement in a deal valued at about £8bn. However, Enterprise Inns is posting the biggest gains with a rise of 6.67% to 775.5p, closely followed by Punch Taverns which is up 3.87% to £13.95, while Wolseley has added 1.96% to £13, although Sage Group has slipped 0.78% to 253.25p. Miner Rio Tinto is the biggest loser with a fall of 1.22% to...

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