WARNING: Hove-based printing business Wyndeham Press said tough trading conditions would leave profits for the 12 months to March 31 similar to those last year.

EXPENSIVE: Last year's failed bid by gas groups Air Products and Air Liquide for rival BOC cost the bidders £68 million in failure fees, BOC chairman Sir David John told shareholders.

BUYING: Investment management firm Friends Ivory and Sime has agreed to buy the unit trust and managed pension fund business of Friends Provident for £129 million.

LINK-UP: Biotech firm PPL Therapeutics has signed an agreement with Japanese firm Nihon Nosan Kogyo that will see the Japanese firm provide sales and marketing support for PPL in Japan.