BUZZ-Booker: best day in 4 yrs on acquisition, earnings beat

Reuters - UK Focus

** Cash-and-carry wholesaler Booker jumps 10.3 pct, its biggest one-day gain in 4 yrs & up at its highest level since March 2014

** To buy Londis & Budgens chains to expand network of grocery and convenience stores

** Co expects acquisition to be neutral to earnings in first year, to add to earnings thereafter

** Taps into changing consumer habits; UK consumers now buying little & often

** FY2015 earnings slight beat; PBT 138.8 mln pounds vs Investec (LSE: INVP.L - news) forecast of 136 mln pounds

** Proposing another capital return to shareholders of 3.5p per ordinary share

** Stock easily top FTSE 250 riser & 2nd-most actively traded on index, with almost 3/4 of 90-day daily avg volume having gone through (RM (LSE: RM.L - news) : tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)