1344 GMT - BT Group is among the most mentioned companies across news items over the past eight hours, according to Factiva data, after Patrick Drahi's Altice U.K. said that it had increased its shareholding in the company to 24.5%, but wouldn't make a full takeover bid. The news initially sent the shares lower, but they are currently trading 0.7% higher at 148.90 pence. "Altice is continuing to deny any plans to make an offer for the business, but the move will raise eyebrows, particularly given the national security sensitivities around BT and its assets entering foreign ownership," AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould writes. Interactive Investor head of investment Victoria Scholar adds in a note that while Altice's stake-building provides a vote of confidence in the company there are questions about what changes owner Patrick Drahi may want to implement. Dow Jones & Co. owns Factiva. (ian.walker@wsj.com.)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 23, 2023 10:00 ET (14:00 GMT)

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