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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

US private equity group TPG is nearing a €7bn deal to acquire the German metering company Techem, in a takeover that would rank among the largest such transactions between buyout groups in Europe this year.

TPG may reach an agreement to acquire Techem from Switzerland’s Partners Group for up to €7bn as soon as Monday, according to people familiar with the matter. The timeline might yet slip and no final decision had been taken, they cautioned.

Founded in 1952, Techem now has roughly 60mn devices around the world that offer homeowners and tenants data on their energy and water usage. It has nearly 4,300 employees and generates more than €1bn of total sales, according to its website.

The company is part of a sector that has experienced rising investor appetite as it benefits from the energy transition and consumer shifts towards more sustainable power usage. In the past year, the private equity group KKR acquired the UK’s Smart Metering Systems in a £1.4bn deal.

Private equity groups are also under growing pressure to distribute cash to their backers to compensate for a broader slowdown in initial public offerings and takeovers.

The Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC will invest alongside TPG in the deal, according to people familiar with the matter. TPG will make the investment through its TPG Rise Climate fund, which is directed at sustainability-focused investments.

A sale by Partners Group of Techem to TPG would rank among the largest deals between PE firms in Europe this year. The number of transactions has been depressed by uncertainty caused by market turbulence and current high interest rates.

The group is also is in talks to buy a stake in Europe’s largest second-hand fashion site Vinted at a €5bn valuation, the Financial Times has previously reported.

Partners Group led a consortium to acquire Techem in 2018 in a €4.6bn deal. Techem had previously been delisted by Macquarie immediately before the financial crisis.

Partners Group had $149bn in assets under management at the end of June. TPG has $229bn of assets under management.

Representatives for Partners Group, TPG and GIC declined to comment.

ICELAND has revealed the exact date shoppers can book their Christmas delivery slots.

Securing a delivery slot during the festive period can be challenging for shoppers, so the popular supermarket chain has announced key dates for customers to watch out for to avoid disappointment.

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The major retailer’s service enables shoppers to pre-book and pay for their Christmas dinner and other festive treats in advance, which will then be delivered to their door five days later.

An Iceland spokesperson said: “At Iceland, we are committed to ensuring that our customers have access to convenient delivery options during the upcoming busy Christmas period.

“Delivery slots for Christmas will be made available to customers six days prior to the delivery date.”

Here are the key dates Iceland shoppers need to remember.

• Slots available from 11/12/2024: Delivery on 16/12/2024
• Slots available from 12/12/2024: Delivery on 17/12/2024
• Slots available from 13/12/2024: Delivery on 18/12/2024
• Slots available from 14/12/2024: Delivery on 19/12/2024
• Slots available from 15/12/2024: Delivery on 20/12/2024
• Slots available from 16/12/2024: Delivery on 21/12/2024
• Slots available from 17/12/2024: Delivery on 22/12/2024
• Slots available from 18/12/2024: Delivery on 23/12/2024
• Slots available from 19/12/2024: Delivery on 24/12/2024

Iceland’s spokesperson said: “Please note that slot availability is specific to each store, and whilst we are still finalising details for our pre-book campaign, the table outlines when slots will be open for all customers.”

Unfortunately for shoppers, the budget supermarket chain will not be offering its click-and-collect service for Christmas bookings.

The retailer’s spokesperson added: “For stores providing home delivery, slots will be made available daily up to and including the 24th of December 2024.

“We plan to also offer a final delivery slot on Christmas Eve between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, depending on the store.

“We’ll ensure that delivery availability across all stores is prioritized in order to ensure our customers can receive their groceries in time for Christmas.”

Iceland is not the only store to confirm their Christmas delivery slot dates.

Ocado has told Smart Pass holders to look out for a text or email which will alert them the day before they go live this week.

Smart Pass Holders pay a set fee either monthly or annually to get free delivery slots, seven days a week.

We have asked Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda when they are releasing their delivery slots this year and will update this story when we have heard back.

Morrisons will start taking bookings next month.

Delivery Pass customers will be able to book their slots from October 2.

SUPERMARKETS MAKING CHRISTMAS MOVES

Plenty of supermarkets are already in full Christmas mode, launching toy sales and their festive menus.

Morrisons has unveiled its Christmas menu which comes with 30-day Matured Shorthorn Cote de Boeuf for £25 per kilo and Free Range Turkey Crown with Red Onion and Sage Stuffing for £8.50 a kilo.

Meanwhile, Tesco revealed its Christmas range this month, and it includes everything from pigs in blankets to decadent puddings.

Asda has also released its festive menu, which includes a melt-in-the-middle pork pie and toffee apple mince pies.

Asda‘s Christmas range will be available at 1,000-plus stores across the UK.

And Iceland has unveiled its Christmas 2024 range which comes with a pigs in blankets Yorkshire pudding.

Tesco shoppers can also snap up toys for Christmas until November 3 across 270 stores, with up to 50% off and prices from £3.

Money-Saving Tips from Gemma Bird: Save £2k Before Christmas

IF youre’ looking to save cash, you’ve come to the right place, as here, Gemma Bird has shared her top tips that’ll save you £2k before Christmas.

• Set a budget: Track your spending and create a realistic budget.
• Cut unnecessary costs: Cancel unused subscriptions and avoid impulse buys.
• Meal planning: Plan meals to reduce grocery bills and avoid takeaways.
• Sell unwanted items: Declutter and sell items online for extra cash.
• Cashback and discounts: Use cashback sites and hunt for discount codes.
• DIY gifts: Make personalised gifts to save money and add a personal touch.
• Pick up a seasonal shift: A really easy way to pick up a bit of extra cash in the winter is to find yourself some seasonal work.

Follow these practical tips from Gemma Bird to boost your savings before the festive season!

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

By assassinating Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Israel has dealt a grievous blow to one of its most powerful foes. Over three decades, Nasrallah transformed the group, with Iranian backing, into the Middle East’s most heavily armed non-state actor and the dominant political force in Lebanon. His killing has severely wounded the movement, while underlining Israel’s military superiority over Iran’s so-called axis of resistance.

Many other senior Hizbollah figures have been killed in Israeli air strikes. But the relentless bombardment has wrought devastation on Lebanon, spreading fear and panic across the nation. More than 1,000 people have been killed in the past two weeks, and up to 1mn forced from their homes. As the bombs rain down, they fear what comes next. Many in Lebanon opposed Nasrallah and blamed Hizbollah for the crisis-ridden country’s ills. But Hizbollah also represents a large swath of Shia society in a fragile nation where Muslim and Christian sects coexist uneasily. Under Nasrallah, the movement was cohesive and disciplined. In his absence, many worry it might fragment or become more extreme.

Israelis, too, should be wary. They celebrated the death of their foe, but having a failed state on their northern border, or a more extremist enemy bent on revenge, will not serve their security interests. Hizbollah has been battered, but it will not disappear. History has shown that when one militant leader is killed, another steps into the breach, often more radical than the former.

As Israel prepares to mark the grim anniversary of Hamas’s horrific October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people and ignited the year of conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should take his wins and chart a new course. He should embrace the diplomatic off-ramps that have been available for months to end the war in Gaza, secure the release of hostages, and halt the conflict with Hizbollah.

After pummelling Gaza for 12 months, Israel has killed many of Hamas’s senior leaders and severely depleted its military capacity. The offensive has left Gaza in ruins, and more than 41,000 Gazans have been killed, according to Palestinian officials. Hamas will not be able to control Gaza or repeat the atrocities of a year ago. On the northern front, Netanyahu’s stated aim is to ensure the safe return of 60,000 Israelis displaced by Hizbollah’s rocket fire, which began a day after the October 7 attack. But that will not happen as long as the conflict continues.

Worryingly, however, the chances of Netanyahu and his far-right government banking their military gains and choosing the path of diplomacy over yet more war appear as remote as ever. Since killing Nasrallah on Friday, Israel has continued to pound Lebanon, launched limited ground incursions across the border in a potential prelude to a land invasion, and struck Houthi rebels in Yemen. Netanyahu has also stepped up his belligerent rhetoric against Iran.

The US and Israel’s other allies preach de-escalation but are unable or unwilling to rein in Netanyahu, whose political interests are served by keeping Israel locked in conflict. The Biden administration looks ever more impotent as the US election nears, despite the risk that Netanyahu could seek to drag Washington into a war with Iran.

Israel’s desire to restore its deterrent is one thing. But careering headlong into forever wars, giddy on its tactical success, with no clear strategy or end game, is not a recipe for long-term security and stability, for Israel or the region. The Middle East has witnessed its darkest year in decades. The killing and destruction must stop.

DO you need to stage a saving this week?

Now is the perfect time to book your next theatre trip, with new West End show tickets released for the winter season.

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Use these tricks to plan your visit.

EARLY BIRD: Many new shows offer discounted rates for early performances.

For instance, Titanique, a musical based on the Titanic film, starts in December with tickets from £16 for initial performances, rising to around £31 in January.

GO OFF-PEAK: Booking Monday or Tuesday shows often means cheaper tickets since most tourists visit on weekends.

Matinees outside school holidays also offer lower prices — check if your chosen production has this option.

DISCOUNT DEALS: NHS staff can get 25 per cent off ATG tickets or 10 per cent off via LoveTheatre.co.uk.

Check healthservicediscounts.com for more offers.

If you have a railcard, you can claim discounts for theatre trips booked with train travel — check availability at DaysOutGuide.tixculture.com.

MORE THE MERRIER: Round up a few friends and book as a group to get money off your next theatre trip.

For instance, booking ten-plus tickets for Mrs Doubtfire in the West End drops the price to £49.50 per ticket, down from around £57.50.

Many theatres offer group rates for 6 to 12-plus people if you check with the theatre directly.

LOTTERY WIN: Some major productions offer daily lotteries for discounted or even free tickets. Hamilton holds a regular lottery via the TodayTix app, where you can win tickets for £10.

Also, follow your favourite shows on social media, where competitions for free tickets are often posted.

ACCESS FOR ALL: If you’re on low income or universal credit, many theatres offer heavily discounted rates.

National Theatre of Scotland’s Theatre for a Fiver programme gives access to £5 tickets, just check local theatre websites for more options.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

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PLAN ahead for the festive season at Tesco, where a 1L bottle of Bailey’s, usually £22, is now £13 when you use your Tesco Clubcard.

SAVE: £9

Cheap treat

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TURN up the glamour in a pair of Eyelash Emporium strip lashes, usually £8.95, now £5.99 at Superdrug.

SAVE: £2.96

What’s new?

DRINK pink this Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Get three cartons of Ocean Spray Pink Cranberry juice drink for £4 at Sainsburys (usually £1.85 each) and 5p from every carton will go to the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Top swap

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KEEP your holiday glow when you use the Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer, £25, or pick up a Gorgeous Glow Stick, £3.99.

Both at Boots.

SAVE: £21.01

Little helper

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GET five freezer favourites for £6, including McCain Wedges, Birds Eye Crispy Chicken and more, at Coop.co.uk. If you become a Co-op member for £1, it’s just £5, with access to more discounts.

Shop & save

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ADD a statement accent chair to your bedroom now – this cream one was £99, but is now £49, at Homebase.

SAVE: £50

Hot right now

PICK up a new Lego City set at Smyths Toys and get up to 20 per cent off.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!