m&a

Walker Crips is planning for further expansion by seeking out employees at rival firms who are "disenchanted" by industry merger and acquisition activity.

UK equity managers Simon Brazier and Clive Beagles have turned more positive on Vodafone, snapping up shares in the company three years after they both cautioned about the telecom's prospects.

Mattioli Woods is to acquire advice firm Boyd Coughlan in a £7m deal and has also announced plans to raise a more than £18m from shareholders to fund further growth.

Consolidator Bellpenny has completed two more IFA acquisitions bringing an additional £56m in funds under management and more than 250 clients.

Sanlam UK has acquired Caerus Portfolio Management as part of a deal which will see it take a 20% stake in the Caerus adviser network.

Odey Asset Management has blasted a bid for trading platform Plus500, the second largest holding on James Hanbury's CF Odey Absolute Return fund, calling the move "opportunistic".

Investment trust Caledonia Investments is close to agreeing a deal to purchase a stake in Seven Investment Management, according to reports.

Henderson Global Investors has made a trio of acquisitions in Australia which will add £5.7bn to its assets under management across fixed income, equities and commodities.

European Wealth has announced plans to acquire financial planning firm ISM Solutions and further 'bolt-on acquisitions', after raising £2m through a share placement.

Aberdeen Asset Management is to acquire FLAG Capital Management in a bid to strengthen its alternatives platform and US offering.