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Monday's most followed including Sports Direct, Waterlogic, mortgages, and Shire

Published: 07:01 30 Jun 2014 EDT

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Footsie was clinging on to  gains, just, as UK mortgages were once again in the spotlight as was sports wear retailer Sports Direct (LON:SPD).

Wednesday will see the firm make a bid for the third time of asking get a vote through shareholders for a bonus share scheme for employees and founder Mike Ashley.

The word on the street is the firm may call off the shareholder meeting if the proxy votes – due in today – indicate that it has not received enough support.

Shares were down 2.7% in London's morning trade.

Elsewhere, Shire (LON:SHP), the UK drug maker was in focus, with shares up 0.31% making it the lead riser on FTSE100,  as there were reports of  a higher offer coming in from US suitor AbbVie. This would be the  fourth bid for the firm.

AbbVie's boss is set to fly to London this week to court shareholders.

A £46.11 a share bid for the group was dismissed by Shire’s bosses but a fourth offer is now widely expected.

Mortgages were back in the headines (when aren't they?) as new data showed that approvals fell to an 11 month-low in May, sparking concerns the market fall is now beginning.

Tighter rules introduced in April mean more stringent tests are carried out on potential borrowers.

In contrast, however, the actual amount of money lent was at the most for six years, due to the rising cost of property.

The most active stocks were Vodafone and Shire, while Quindell (LON:QPP) was keeping folks chatting on the bulletin boards, as was Gulf Keystone Petroleum (LON:GKP).

Shares in Waterlogic (LON:WTL) rose nearly 9% after it said it was launching a strategic review after receiving an unsolicited bid for one of its subsidiaries.

It said the options currently under consideration include the disposal of certain parts of the business, further strategic acquisitions or the sale of the entire business.

"At this stage, all options available to the company are being considered and there can be no certainty that any offers will be made, any sales concluded, nor as to the terms of any offer or sale,” Waterlogic told investors.

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