Tesco for Home Retail Group, according to The Times and the Financial Times

Tucked away at the back of the The Times market report is a surprising snippet on the Home Retail Group takeover situation.

According to The Times market report, Tesco - yes, Tesco - was sold off yesterday amid fears it's "putting in a rival bid" for Home Retail Group. Here is a link to the excellent report, written by Tom Knowles:

RARE Alert: Tesco's latest trading figures said to be "much" better than expected - part 2

It would appear my sources were bang on the money about Tesco's trading figures coming in "significantly" better than expected.

Tesco shares are up 6pc following the release of the supermarket group's 3rd quarter trading update:

http://www.investegate.co.uk/tesco-plc--tsco-/rns/tesco-plc-3q-and-christmas-trading-statement-1516/201601140700078128L/

RARE Alert: Tesco's latest trading figures said to be "much" better than expected

I'm afraid I'm a bit light on M&A scoops today but here are few bits of juicy market RARE that I stumbled across whilst scurrying about in the undergrowth.

I'm hearing from good sources that Tesco is poised to unveil "significantly" better-than-expected festive period trading figures, so keep an eye on the tape tomorrow morning for an upbeat statement from the supermarket giant.

Back on Tip TV talking about Radius Health, Bwin and Blackberry

I might have been a bit irascible on Tip TV last week but Moose & Co invited me back for another session and I'm very grateful.

Here is a link to today's session:

http://www.tiptv.co.uk/finance/ma-outlook-reducing-debt-positions-key-for-both-glencore-and-tesco/

Something to take your mind of the China market rout - a Sunday review on a Monday

London-based investors, bankers and brokers are currently transfixed by the rout in Chinese markets.

So, I thought I would look back over some of the Sunday newspaper's business sections for those markets participant that might want to take their mind off crashing stockmarkets.

Sunday review on a Wednesday

Apologies for my tardy Sunday review but just thought I would offer a hat tip to Oliver Shah over at The Sunday Times.

Oliver landed the story about David Potts, the former head of Tesco's Asian business, being lined up as the next chief executive of WM Morrison

Weekend review

It's always tricky at this time of the year to rustle up decent jackanories but my old colleague Graham, "Ruddy", Ruddick hasn't done too badly this weekend.

Graham, who works at The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, got a decent line from his interview with Andy Clarke, the chief executive of Asda, about potential consolidation in Britain's ailing supermarket sector.

Former Tesco executive leaves Sun European - where to next?

Much of today's coverage in the British newspaper business sections is focused on Tesco's terrible problems so I thought would post a piece linked to the retailer even if that connection is pretty tenuous.

I hear from good sources Tim Mason, the former head of Tesco's Fresh & Easy division in the US, has effectively left private equity firm Sun European Partners, which specialises in buying struggling retailers.

Supermarket sweep

Mike Ashley's multi-million pound punt on Tesco has certainly caused a stir in the London market this morning.

Ashley is a born trader and maverick entrepreneur and I would certainly be wary of betting against him. However, let's not forget that some of the sharpest "professional" investors in global stock markets have already this year taken substantial positions in listed British supermarkets and, so far, it doesn't appear (I say "appear" as these positions may have been hedged) to have been a good trade.