Oct 25 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 13:30 GMT on Thursday:
** Budget airline Norwegian Air NWC.OL is in advanced talks for a potential joint venture ownership of aircraft in its fleet that would free up cash for the rapidly growing company, it said. Finnish elevator maker Kone KNEBV.HE is interested in consolidation, especially in the service industry, its chief executive said. Halfords HFD.L has dropped its plans to buy Evans Cycles, making way for investors like billionaire Mike Ashley's Sports Direct SPD.L to buy the chain, Sky News reported citing sources. Activist investor William Ackman's Pershing Square (NYSE:SQ) Capital Management has acquired a 3.7 percent stake in hotel operator Hilton Worldwide Holdings HLT.N , the fund said. French shipping group CMA CGM will offer to buy out other shareholders of Ceva Logistics CEVAL.S in a move to reinforce its partnership with the Swiss transport company, which could see CMA CGM end up with majority control. French car parts maker Faurecia SA EPED.PA is set to buy a majority stake in Japanese car navigation system maker Clarion Co 6796.T from Hitachi Ltd 6501.T for around 80 billion yen ($710 million), the Nikkei reported. China's Wingtech Technology Co Ltd 600745.SS , the world's largest smartphone contract manufacturer, is acquiring Dutch semiconductor firm Nexperia Holding by buying a majority stake from its Chinese owners for 25.2 billion yuan ($3.63 billion). Australia's largest wealth manager AMP Ltd AMP.AX said it would sell its life insurance arm at a discount and revealed its funds were haemorrhaging cash as clients pulled out their money in response to revelations of systemic wrongdoing. Felix Energy LLC, a closely held Denver-based oil producer with operations in the largest U.S. shale field, is exploring a sale that could value the company at more than $3.5 billion, two people familiar with the matter said. U.S. telecommunications equipment maker CommScope Holding Co Inc COMM.O is in talks to acquire set-top box maker Arris International PLC ARRS.O in a bid to expand its offerings, people familiar with the matter said.