Speculation that a bid for BOC Group was imminent was the talking point for the few traders not engrossed in the climax of Ashes cricket series in London on Monday.

BOC, one of the world’s leading gases companies, has long been viewed as a potential merger partner for Germany’s Linde. However, it was another German group, this time chemicals company BASF, that was said yesterday to be close to unveiling an offer worth £13 a share.