– House of Fraser administrators defend sale. Mike Ashley’s was ‘only available offer’ for department store group
Bain Capital in advanced talks to take esure Group (ESUR) private for £1.2bn. Shares in UK insurer jump 30% after unsolicited bid
Clarkson (CKN) rises on better-than-expected earnings. Shipbroker reports fall in first-half pre-tax profits of 18%