London afternoon: Stocks keep climbing

Ongoing bid speculation, stronger retailers and buoyant miners have pushed London above 5,500.International Power is top of the pile on press reports that French power giant GDF Suez has made a takeover approach to the group, but there has been no statement from either side over the truth of the story. Analysts have said it is possible to justify a valuation at the 400p level.Cadbury is also riding high amid talk that American food giant Kraft is preparing to raise its hostile offer for chocolate maker. The new offer is expected to improve Kraft's bid from 771p per share to at least 820p, though the UK company's shareholders might be tempted to hold out for an even higher price. Kraft has until midnight on Tuesday to change its bid. News that retail sales in London last month were the best for December in at least seven years has Marks & Spencer, Home Retail and Next in the blue. Miners have plenty of fans thanks to higher metal prices. Anglo American, Eurasian Natural Resources, Xstrata and Kazakhmys are among the top ten risers.Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey said market conditions in both the UK and North America during 2009 were better than those experienced during the previous year, although they still remained challenging. ASOS, the online fashion retailer, enjoyed a good Christmas with both sales and margins strong and growth both in the UK and abroad. Sales rose 30% year on year in the 5 weeks to 3 January and were up by 38% for the 42 weeks to 17 January. The growth rate slowed a touch from November, however, sending the shares lower. Broker Charles Stanley also reiterated its 'sell' stance.Tullow Oil confirmed reports over the weekend that it has exercised its option to acquire partner Heritage Oil's 50% stake in two oil blocks in Uganda, trumping Italian group Eni's attempts to buy the acreage. South West Water owner Pennon has decided not to refer Ofwat's price determination for 2010-2015 to the Competition Commission and also promised real dividend growth over the five year duration of the regime.Redrow announced the appointment of Barbara Richmond as new finance director with immediate effect. Richmond replaces David Arnold who is waving goodbye to the housebuilder after seven years at the company. Distribution and outsourcing firm Bunzl has acquired Clean Care from a privately owned company which is controlled by Jan Knygle and Ole Bæk. Data management specialist SDL said it expects revenues and profits for the year ended 31 December 2009 to be ahead of analyst expectations. Admiral has signed new reinsurance deal with Munich Re and Hannover Re for its new car insurance operation in the US, Elephant Insurance.Shares in Media Corporation surged 12% after posted a return to profit in the first quarter of 2010 following a 'material shift in the group's fortunes'.Spanish utility Iberdrola has sold its entire 15.7% holding in oil explorer Petroceltic, a move that also ends its option over any drilling success by the Aim-listed firm.