A busy morning of corporate news sets up an eventful Monday open, led by Drax Group (LSE:DRX)'s proposed £548m acquisition of Bluefield Solar Income Fund, the largest deal in the energy company's history, alongside a takeover approach at easyJet (LSE:EZJ) and a significant US expansion at Applied Nutrition (LSE:APN). Elsewhere, a $75m chip supply win at EnSilica (AIM:ENSI) and a formal sale process at Checkit add further deal-making texture to the session ahead.
Drax bids £548m for Bluefield Solar Income Fund
Drax Group (LSE:DRX) has agreed to acquire Bluefield Solar Income Fund for 92.574p per share in cash, valuing the renewable energy investment trust at approximately £548m. The deal, which Drax chief executive Will Gardiner described as "potentially the biggest acquisition our business has ever made", would significantly expand the group's solar generation footprint in the UK.
Castlelake weighs early-stage takeover bid for easyJet
Private equity firm Castlelake has disclosed it is in the early stages of considering a possible offer for easyJet (LSE:EZJ), though it has not yet approached the airline's board. The disclosure is preliminary and Castlelake has made clear there is no certainty it will proceed to a formal proposal.
Applied Nutrition upgrades revenue guidance, acquires US plant, and signs Mondelēz deal
Applied Nutrition (LSE:APN) has upgraded its full-year FY26 revenue forecast after a trio of developments: the acquisition of a US manufacturing site, a new flavour collaboration deal with Mondelēz, and continued trading momentum. Chief executive Thomas Ryder said the US plant acquisition "significantly strengthens our ability to support ongoing growth in the region and provides us with the ability to expand our North American offering."
EnSilica lands $75m seven-year automotive chip supply contract
EnSilica (AIM:ENSI) has secured a $75m, seven-year manufacturing and supply agreement to produce an Arm-based sensing chip for a German automotive components manufacturer. The contract represents a substantial revenue visibility milestone for the fabless microchip designer, covering both manufacturing and long-term supply of the specialist component.
Prospex Energy adds coring to El Romeral well and signs IMMAGE collaboration
Prospex Energy (AIM:PXEN) has entered a collaboration agreement with academic partner IMMAGE and expanded the scope of its El Romeral well programme to include coring operations. The additional core and subsurface data are expected to deepen understanding of the reservoir geology and support more efficient recovery of the energy resource, with the collaboration described as mutually beneficial for both industry and academic research.
Sulnox secures French national distributor for agriculture and fleet markets
Sulnox Group (AIM:SNOX) has signed a distribution agreement with a French partner of national scale to push its fuel-conditioning technology into the agriculture and fleet sectors. Chief executive Ben Richardson highlighted the distributor's connections with major OEMs and its responsiveness to a fast-moving market as key attractions of the arrangement.
Checkit appoints EC M&A to run formal sale process
Checkit (AIM:CKT) has appointed EC M&A as Joint Financial Adviser to manage its Formal Sale Process, opening structured discussions with interested parties. The company cautioned that no certainty exists that any offer will materialise from the process.
Eco Buildings launches dedicated UK business arm
Eco Buildings Group (AIM:ECOB) has established a UK-focused business unit to address domestic demand for modular and energy-efficient housing. Dr Etrur Albani, commenting on the launch, pointed to the need not just for more homes in the UK but for "fundamentally better and more efficient ways of delivering them."
Zinc Media draws down £3m Lloyds facility and books £1m of new business
Zinc Media Group (AIM:ZIN) has signed a £3m revolving credit facility with Lloyds Bank and simultaneously announced £1m of new business wins. CFO Laura McGaughey said the flexible facility enables the group to manage working capital in line with its growth ambitions, providing a financial platform to pursue further contract opportunities.
