Around 34 packages of pubs changed hands last year, representing £5.4bn worth of deals. More than a quarter of the top deals were in excess of £100m. Pub values rose at 5.2% over the year, a slower rate than the 9.2% in 2004. But demand for freehouses, which remain in short supply, is expected to push up values during 2006. The Business 26/02/06 page 25