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• European stock markets closed mostly higher on Monday, with the Stoxx Europe gaining 0.4%, Germany's DAX climbing 1.6%, and France's CAC advancing 1.4%. • Market activity was highlighted by reports that pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is currently in merger talks with Bristol Myers Squibb. • The positive momentum reflects broader optimism in the sector, while the S&P 500 is simultaneously approaching 40% earnings growth, driven largely by Alphabet.

Tie-up would be one of the biggest pharmaceutical deals ever and create the world’s fourth-largest drugmaker Business live – latest updatesBritain’s biggest drugmaker AstraZeneca is in discussions to take over its US rival Bristol Myers Squibb in a deal that would create a near-$400bn (£300bn) pharmaceutical group.AstraZeneca, run by longtime chief executive Pascal Soriot, is the second-biggest listed company in the UK, with a market value of nearly £196bn. BMS, headquartered in Princeton and known for its cancer treatments, is worth $133bn. Continue reading...