Applegreen’s founders in talks to take the company private

Applegreen PLC (LON:APGN) soared 40% to 496p after it revealed it is involved in talks that might lead to a cash offer for the company.

A consortium including B&J Holdings Limited, which has a 41.3% stake in the company, and Blackstone Infrastructure Partners are mulling an offer at €5.75 for the petrol station convenience stores operator.

B&J Holdings Limited represents the holdings of Applegreen’s founders, Robert Etchingham and Joseph Barrett, respectively the chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Applegreen.

CML Microsystems Plc (LON:CML) jumped 22% to 63p after it agreed to offload its storage division, Hyperstone, for US$49mln in cash.

The buyer is Swissbit, a specialist producer of industrial-grade data-storage and embedded Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

The proceeds from the disposal will “provide the group with the financial flexibility to maximise its future growth potential”.