Pfizer-Allergan merger collapse stokes fears M&A bonanza is coming to an end April 6, 2016 The biggest pharmaceuticals deal in history, a planned $160bn (£113bn) merger of US company Pfizer and Ireland’s Allergan, was abandoned today as a result of a US government crackdown on so-called tax inversions. The collapse of the blockbuster deal has stoked fears that last year’s M&A bonanza is coming to an end. Read more: More [...]
Pfizer confirms it has has scrapped its $160bn merger with Allergan – but UK pharma is dancing on its grave April 6, 2016 It looks like new tax inversion rules killed the M&A star, after Pfizer confirmed it has killed off its plans for a $160bn (£114bn) merger with Irish botox maker Allergan. In a statement today, the company said the decision had been driven by new US rules aimed at preventing so-called tax inversions, announced on Monday. “Pfizer approached this transaction [...]
London Stock Exchange chief executive Xavier Rolet: Brexit impact would be “substantial” – Thatcher’s Britain should lead, not leave, the European Union April 5, 2016 Xavier Rolet believes the impact of a Brexit on the City would be "substantial" and "almost immediate" following the referendum. Instead of exiting the European Union, the London Stock Exchange chief executive wants Britain to channel the spirit of Margaret Thatcher and lead the continent to a new era of strong economic growth. Rolet was speaking to City A.M. during [...]
London Stock Exchange boss Xavier Rolet fires warning shot towards US rivals as merger battle heats up April 5, 2016 The head of the London Stock Exchange has fired a warning shot towards American rivals that are threatening to gatecrash its proposed merger with the German company Deutsche Boerse. In an explosive interview with City A.M., Xavier Rolet savages the record of US giants that have bought into the continent in recent years, and insists [...]
New York Stock Exchange owner secures financing for £10bn London Stock Exchange takeover bid to rival proposed Deutsche Boerse merger April 4, 2016 The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is understood to have secured funding for a £10bn takeover bid for the London Stock Exchange (LSE). ICE, which owns the New York Stock Exchange, confirmed it was considering a bid in early March shortly after the LSE said it was in merger talks with Deutsche Boerse. The LSE and Deutsche [...]
William Hill teams up with SkyBet to help fund £270m NYX acquisition of OpenBet April 4, 2016 Bookmaker William Hill has teamed up with rival SkyBet to invest in Canadian gaming supplier NYX, which has announced the acquisition of OpenBet for £270m. As part of the agreement, William Hill is investing £80m in the takeover and a further £10m in equity. SkyBet is contributing £20m. Read more: Jefferies downgrade continues William Hill's losing streak [...]
Tilney Bestinvest to acquire fellow wealth management firm Towry from majority shareholder Palamon Capital for £600m April 4, 2016 Tilney Bestinvest has agreed a deal to acquire fellow UK wealth management firm Towry. The deal, subject to regulatory approval, would see Tilney Bestinvest acquire Towry from its majority shareholder Palamon Capital Partners for £600m. The combined company would have responsibility for more than £20bn of assets for affluent and high net worth clients. Read more: Wealth management M&A has hit [...]
Transport M&A activity on track to steam past 2015 record, with more than £52bn of deals expected to complete April 4, 2016 Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the transport sector is set to increase this year, with more than £52bn of deals expected to go through. Completed deals rose for the third consecutive year in 2015 to a total of £48bn. Further transactions worth around £66bn were announced, with the sector hitting record levels. KPMG's latest [...]
London Stock Exchange’s Xavier Rolet denies Deutsche Boerse merger would see Germans take control – and dismisses potential rival bidder as “slash and burn” company April 3, 2016 London Stock Exchange Group's chief executive has denied the proposed Deutsche Boerse merger would see the Germans "taking over". Xavier Rolet has also dismissed potential US counter-bidder Intercontinental Exchange as a “slash and burn” organisation. Rolet described the £21bn merger as the “best deal on the table”. Read more: City grandees raise red flags over LSE-Deutsche Boerse [...]
Sir Richard Branson could make nearly £500m from sale of Virgin America April 3, 2016 Sir Richard Branson could make $700m (£490m) from the sale of Virgin America. Alaska Airlines is understood to have made a bid valuing the company at more than $2bn. The airline was believed to have been in competition with JetBlue Airways for the company. Read more: Virgin America's share price rockets after sale report The Sunday Times [...]