Dust off the defence manuals… private equity is coming, say advisors December 20, 2024 London’s listed firms have been warned to dust off their defence manuals and prepare for takeover bids as private equity investors limber up for a deals offensive on the London Stock Exchange next year. After a subdued year of dealmaking through 2024, private equity buyers are expected to reignite a swoop on the public markets [...]
Shoe Zone shares crash as Budget deals major blow to profit plans December 18, 2024 Shares in Shoe Zone have plummeted to their lowest value for more than three years after the company warning the changes announced in the Autumn Budget has forced it to close a number of stores. The Leicester-headquartered retailer issued a trading update to the London Stock Exchange in which it revealed the impacted that “significant [...]
FCA sets out plans for new Pisces private stock market December 17, 2024 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out its plans for a new private stock market system today as it looks to revive London’s flagging IPO pipeline and allow investors to more easily tap into unlisted companies. In a consultation document, the City watchdog said the new stock market system, PISCES, first tabled by the [...]
How FTSE 100 giant Rolls-Royce became a ‘true phoenix from the ashes story’ after shares success December 17, 2024 If awards were being handed out for the best performer in the FTSE 100 this year, Rolls-Royce would surely be taking home all the top prizes after cementing its position as the index’s darling. The Derby-headquartered giant started 2024 with a share price of 298p which has since ballooned to a high of 594p, catapulting [...]
Canal+ float fails to make a splash as shares fall more than 23 per cent December 16, 2024 The float of Canal+ on the London Stock Exchange got off to a shaky start with its share price dropping more than 23 per cent, valuing the company at around £2.4bn. The only £1bn-plus IPO of the year is the product of a long-awaited breakup of Paris-based Vivendi, which acquired Canal+ in 2000. Shares of the Paddington [...]
Canal+ IPO offers hope for troubled London Stock Exchange December 16, 2024 French media giant Canal+ will list on the London Stock Exchange this morning in an early Christmas present for a bourse battered by a string of exits this year.
Vince Cable warns against bid by the ‘Czech Sphinx’ for Royal Mail December 15, 2024 Former business secretary Vince Cable has warned the Government not to wave through the sale of the Royal Mail to Czech tycoon Daniel Kretinsky, citing his links to Russia and the high amount of debt involved. Cable was the architect of the privatisation of the postal service in 2013, overseeing a £3.3bn deal which led [...]
A requiem for UK equity capital markets December 14, 2024 London’s storied status as a global financial powerhouse is slipping away, and with every IPO that doesn’t materialise or company that decamps to the US, it becomes clearer that the City is in its death throes, says Owen Matthews As a former mid-cap ECM investment banker, I’ve watched with despair as the lights dim on [...]
Boohoo floats board seat to Frasers – as long as it’s not for Ashley or Lennon December 13, 2024 Boohoo's board has floated an olive branch to Frasers today with the offer of a board seat, but only if Mike Ashley or Mike Lennon are not the candidates put forward.
Lloyd’s of London insurer Canopius favours IPO in private equity exit December 12, 2024 The private equity owners of Canopius plan to list the Lloyd’s of London insurer on the UK stock market next year, City AM has learned. A consortium led by US investor Centerbridge Partners is leaning towards an IPO rather than sale as part of its review into exit options for Canopius, according to a person [...]