Qinetiq jumps 7% on bid talk, while FTSE 100 climbs for sixth day running.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

James Bond would shaken as well as stirred. Qinetiq - the former Ministry of Defence research arm said to be the inspiration for the spy's gadget master Q - was rumoured to be in the sights of the Americans.

The company, which controversially floated in 2006, saw its shares jump nearly 7% as talk of a possible bid from the likes of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Boeing swirled around the market. UK group BAE Systems was another name mentioned, with a possible price of 180p suggested, which would value the business at more than GBP800m.

But many traders dismissed the idea as just another speculative Friday tale. They pointed out the UK government holds a so-called special share in Qinetiq, allowing it to block any unwanted takeover and prevent any move deemed to be against the national interest. In fact the MoD has the power to veto any foreign …