Brewery giant in talks to take over chain of fish restaurants
	Brewery giant Greene King, owner of the Scottish brewing and pubs group Belhaven, is in talks to buy fish restaurant chain Loch Fyne.

Latest figures show economy expanding faster than expected

The UK economy expanded faster than expected in the second quarter of 2007, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics yesterday, sending sterling back above the $2.05 level.

Software industry’s born survivor

Saturday Interview: Dotcom comeback kid Tom O'Hara who built an expanding Scottish empire for Sage software tycoon Graham Wylie’s TSG, hopes to be a household name, says Simon Bain

Dividends unpaid as Goodman profits soar

The property empire controlled by Glasgow tycoon Louis Goodman has racked up another year of huge profits. However, independent shareholders in the formerly quoted City Site Estates who for years have been owed millions of pounds in unpaid dividends appear no closer to getting their money.

	Tesco extends offer for Dobbies
	Tesco extended its apparently doomed offer for Dobbies Garden Centres yesterday after its recommended 1500p-per-share bid attracted predictably few takers among smaller investors.

Barclays granted extension to launch formal bid for ABN

In the latest twist in the protracted and convoluted battle to acquire Dutch bank ABN Amro, Barclays yesterday said the Netherlands’ market regulator had granted it an extension until August 6 to launch a formal bid.

	Humer turns from drugs to drink with Diageo appointment
	Diageo, the world’s largest drinks company, has appointed the chief executive and chairman of the Swiss drugs giant Roche to replace Lord Blyth as its chairman from next year.

Private equity bankrolls Venture

The enduring appeal of the North Sea for international investors was underlined when Venture Production announced it had raised more than £150m from private equity heavyweights to bankroll acquisitions.

	BAE stock soars as two deals are in sight
	BAE Systems shareholders saw more than £500m added to the value of their stock yesterday after the US Departments of Justice and of Defence cleared the company’s acquisition of US arms group, Armor Holdings.

Vodafone boosted by expansion into India and Turkey

Vodafone Group, the world's largest mobile phone company by revenues, reported a 7.5% rise in first-quarter revenue yesterday, bolstered by strong performances from recently-acquired businesses in India and Turkey.

	Hunterston ‘unlikely’ to return to 100% power
	The long-term future of the Hunterston nuclear power station in Ayrshire was less clear yesterday after operator British Energy said that the ageing plant and its sister station at Hinkley Point in Somerset were "unlikely" to return to 100% power after last winter's shutdowns.

Celebrity bolthole Skibo Castle closes books to new members

Luxurious Highland retreat Skibo Castle has closed the books to new members a year ahead of schedule, after enjoying a significant improvement in its operating performance.

SCC finds generally upbeat attitude marred by rate rises

Five interest rate rises in a row over the past year has proved the only cloud on Scottish business’s otherwise optimistic horizon, according to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce second-quarter Business Survey.

Financial meltdown inevitable, predicts arch-bear fund manager

This week’s credit market warnings from US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, alongside the wipe-out of two Bear Stearns hedge funds, are the clearest signal yet of a potential financial market meltdow Ian Rushbrook told shareholders yesterday.

	Delta Two stalks Sainsbury
	A takeover battle for J Sainsbury appeared to be looming last night after the supermarket chain confirmed an approach from 25%-shareholder Delta Two, an investment vehicle backed by the Qatari royal family.

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