Adds Lufthansa, Frontier, Metro Bank, NEC Corp
Jan 29 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 2100 GMT on Wednesday:
** Lufthansa LHAG.DE has agreed to acquire a 10% stake in IPO-bound Latvian airline airBaltic, the German airline said on Wednesday, its latest move to expand its European presence. nL3N3OP1G9
** Spirit Airlines SAVEQ.PK and rival Frontier Group ULCC.O are discussing a merger again, more than two years after the two ultra-low-cost carriers failed to close a deal. nL3N3OP0UE
** Britain's Metro Bank MTRO.L said on Wednesday it was in early discussions about a potential sale of its performing consumer loan portfolio, as it shifts focus to high-yielding commercial, corporate, and small and medium enterprise lending. nL3N3OP1G4
** Japanese technology group NEC Corp 6701.T has been talking to its advisers about the possibility of making an offer for CSG Systems CSGS.O, which provides customer care and billing solutions for cable and phone companies, according to people familiar with the matter. nL3N3ON1LM
** Swedish electric-vehicle battery maker Northvolt agreed with Volvo Cars VOLCARb.ST to sell its stake in their joint battery venture Novo Energy for an undisclosed sum and explore potential collaborations in North America. nL5N3OP0RQ
** Polish businessman Michal Solowow and media group WP Holding WPPL.WA have made offers to buy Polish broadcaster TVN from Warner Bros Discovery Inc WBD.O, private broadcaster Radio Zet reported. nL5N3OP1GE
** Spirit Airlines SAVEQ.PK said it has rejected a bid from rival Frontier Group ULCC.O as it was not favorable for the low-cost carrier and expects to exit bankruptcy in the first quarter. nL3N3OP0UE
** Patria has acquired Belgium-based Ilias Solutions for an undisclosed sum in a deal the Finnish defence group believes will allow it to lead the way in the digitisation of Europe's defence industry. nL5N3OO1W7
** Carmaker Stellantis STLAM.MI, brands of which include Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall, said it had agreed to buy full control of its joint venture with Belgium's Punch Powertrain, strengthening its position in hybrid vehicle technology. nL5N3OP0QE
** Detroit-based American Axle and Manufacturing (AAM) AXL.N will buy GKN Automotive owner Dowlais DWL.L in a cash-and-stock deal, valuing the London-listed firm at about 1.16 billion pounds ($1.44 billion), the companies said. nL3N3OP0DO
** Miner Anglo American AAL.L said it had completed the sale of its 33.3% stake in Jellinbah Group to Zashvin Pty Ltd for total cash proceeds reaching A$1.6 billion (nearly $1 billion). nL3N3OP0EB
** Zimmer Biomet ZBH.N said it would acquire medical device company Paragon 28 FNA.N for about $1.1 billion to expand its portfolio of orthopedic surgical devices. nL3N3OO1SD
** World Insurance Associates has acquired the business of Brooklyn, New York-based HML Brokerage, a deal the company completed on 1 September 2024 but has only just announced. nL6N3OO0JE
** Utah-based Trucordia has acquired Cada Insurance Services, a provider of auto, home, commercial, general liability, and workers' compensation solutions with Louisiana offices in Baton Rouge, Chalmette, Gretna, and Kenner. nL6N3OO0JB
** Italy's gas grid operator Snam SRG.MI will sell its minority stake indirectly held in ADNOC Gas Pipelines to Abu Dhabi-based investment fund Lunate, Snam said. nL5N3OO0GU
** Spirits giant Diageo DGE.L has agreed to sell its 80.4% shareholding in Guinness Ghana to Castel Group for $81 million, it said, continuing to refine its operating model in Africa. nL2N3OO0NC