26-07-2006 Ladbrokes at the centre of fresh takeover rumours

Shares in Ladbrokes added 1% to close at 385.25p as more than 6 million shares changed hands. Private equity firms might be poised to take advantage of current investor concerns by mounting an audacious bid for Europe's largest betting operator. Ladbrokes, which takes no bets from US punters, is also well placed to be the biggest betting firm in the lucrative Asian market.