A surge in British Energy shares on hopes of an imminent takeover has prompted the company to clarify the situation.
French group EDF, with a little help from British Gas owner Centrica, were rumoured to be about to finally seal a £12bn deal to buy the UK business, with news expected in the next few days.
British Energy has just confirmed it was in talks with one party but cautioned "there can be no certainty that the discussions will lead to an offer being made."
So after jumping as high as 738.5p, the company's shares have come off their best levels and are now up 41p at 727p.
Overall, with Wall Street falling more than 120 points after a sharper than expected fall in existing home sales in June, the FTSE 100 is now 51.3 points lower at 5398.6.
