Shire takeover battle intensifies, as commodity prices boom - business live

All the day’s economic and financial news, as Brent crude hits its highest level since November 2014Latest: Japan’s Takeda reveals approach for ShireUK retail sales volumes fell 1.2% last month, worse than expectedOil is on a tear
Traders cite Middle East tensions, and OpecSanctions fears push nickel price to three-year high 3.56pm BST Nickel continues to post strong gains, due to that speculation about new US sanctions on Russian metal producers.Fiona Cincotta, Senior Market Analyst