Borsa-Italia.Net => United Kingdom => BOC shares gain on fresh takeover talk

Borsa-Italia.Net => United Kingdom => BOC shares gain on fresh takeover talk: "Shares in industrial gases firm BOC surged on Friday, lifted by talk that German chemicals giant BASF might launch a 6.5 billion-pound bid, dealers said. They cited a report in The Guardian's market round-up section that BASF was ready to make a 13-pound-a-share cash offer for the company. Shares in BOC (BOC.L: Quote, Profile, Research) were up 8.4 percent at 1,160 pence -- their highest level in just over five years -- valuing the company at about 5.9 billion pounds. BASF declined to comment on the speculation."