Alcan bid set to open up a host of deal opportunities

The aluminium industry will remain in the spotlight this week following the $33bn (£17bn) hostile bid by Alcoa of the US for Canadian rival Alcan last Monday, with increasing speculation that other companies are preparing competing bids. To add to the anticipation of rival Alcan bids, there is talk that offers for Alcoa could emerge. The US group was widely seen as a take-over target before its move on Alcan and some analysts believe it remains vulnerable.