THOMSON FINANCIAL NEWS TOP STORIES Europe 1605 BST

THOMSON FINANCIAL NEWS TOP STORIES Europe 1605 BST

	Published : Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:22 By : Agencies Print this Story

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Here are the top stories on Thomson Financial News

Alliance Boots recommends 10.6 bln stg offer from KKR/Pessina

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The board of Alliance Boots PLC, the international health and beauty retailer, has recommended an improved 10.9 stg a share takeover offer from Stefano Pessina, executive deputy chairman and 15 pct shareholder, and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), the US private equity group, the parties said in a statement.

The improved offer, which is inclusive of any final dividend to be declared for the year to March 2007, values the group at 10.6 bln stg. A previous indicative offer of 10.4 stg a share valued the group at 10.1 bln stg.

Sony Ericsson Q1 pretax jumps but touch below expectations as ASP falls

STOCKHOLM (Thomson Financial) - Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB said first quarter pretax profits rose by 139 pct to 362 mln eur, as sales rose 47 pct to 2.925 bln eur, boosted by strong handset shipments and improving operating margins.

But despite sharp increases, both numbers fell slightly short of market forecasts, which centred on a pretax profit of 368 mln eur and sales of 3.084 bln eur, according to a survey by SME Direkt.

Unicredito declines to comment on reported merger talks with SocGen

MILAN (Thomson Financial) - Unicredito Italiano SpA declined to comment on media reports that the Italian bank is in merger talks with its French peer Societe Generale.

A company spokeswoman however added that the bank does not plan any board meeting before May 9, when directors are due to examine its first-quarter results.

SAP Q1 opg rises 6 pct on strong sales in Americas, misses expectations