((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto))
(IndiGo and Ageas added; Hess updated)
The following deals, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures were reported as of 2:30 p.m. GMT on Thursday:
** U.S. oil producer Hess HES.N said it was reviewing the timetable for closing its merger with Chevron CVX.N , after oil major Exxon Mobil
XOM.N has reported a potential counteroffer for Hess’ assets in Guyana.
** Rakesh Gangwal, co-founder of Indian carrier IndiGo, will sell a stake of up to 3.3 percent, worth 37.3 billion rupees ($451 million), in operator Interglobe Aviation INGL.NS through a block deal, news channel CNBC-TV18 reported Thursday, citing sources.
** Belgian insurer Ageas AGES.BR is continuing its takeover bid for Britain’s Direct Line DLGD.L, calling on a new advisor to help it in its efforts, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
**Warner Music Group WMG.O said it planned to make an offer of at least 17 euros ($18.52) per share for Believe BLV.PA, valuing the French digital music company at 1.65 billion euros and surpassing a previous purchase offer from a consortium.
** Nationwide Building Society NBS.L has agreed to buy Virgin Money UK VMUK.L in a potential 2.9 billion pounds ($3.69 billion) cash deal that would create the second largest Britain’s largest provider of savings and mortgages.
** Spanish operator Iberdrola IBE.MC announced that it was launching an offer to acquire the 18.4% stake in its American subsidiary Avangrid AGR.N that it does not hold, in a transaction which would amount to approximately $2.49 billion
** Singapore Telecommunications STEL.SI said it sold a 0.8 percent stake in Bharti Airtel BRTI.NS for 950 million Singapore dollars (nearly $711 million) to U.S. investment firm GQG Partners
GQG.AX .
** Geneva-based Montfort Group is in discussions to sell part or all of its refinery facilities in the United Arab Emirates to the fuel arm of Chinese giant Sinopec Corp 0386.HK, at least five sources told Reuters industrial.
** German renewable energy producer Encavis AG
ECVG.DE said on Wednesday it was in talks with KKR & Co KKR.N about a potential transaction.
** Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri FCT.MI is in talks with Leonardo LDOF.MI to buy defense group Whitehead’s submarine unit Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (Wass), newspapers reported on Wednesday, sending Fincantieri shares higher by more than 7%.