If it seems as though each week brings news of yet another takeover offer for a UK firm, the actual figures from the ONS (Office for National Statistics) are quite mind-boggling.Aside from the number of listed companies being bought, either by 'inward' investors or domestic buyers, hundreds of privately-owned firms are being snapped up every quarter.If you are in a position where a company you own

Growth in order book reassuresTop performer in FTSE 250 indexRally broadens to other buildersTyne and Wear-based housebuilder Bellway (BWY) pleased the market with its outlook for 'strong multi-year growth' despite a drop in revenue and completions in the year to July.The shares climbed as much as 280p or 9% to a new 12-month high of £33.34 before settling back at £32.62 for a gain of 210p or al

The latest house price surveys from Halifax and Nationwide ? two of the UK's largest mortgage lenders ? should have investors in developers breaking out the champagne, yet stocks such as Persimmon (PSN) and Taylor Wimpey (TW.) have gone nowhere for the last few weeks while Barratt Redrow (BTRW) shares are hitting three-month lows.Uncertainty ahead of the autumn budget and over the pace of interest