TGI Friday’s private equity owner Electra ends buyout talks August 24, 2018 UK private equity firm Electra which owns TGI Friday’s today confirmed it had ended talks about a possible buyout of the company. Electra did not say who the interested parties were, but it had been talks about a possible sale since May. Read more: CEE private equity investment hits record high It said talks for [...]
The CMA has officially launched a probe into the Sainsbury’s Asda merger August 23, 2018 The competition watchdog has officially launched an investigation into the proposed mega-merger between supermarkets Sainsbury's and Asda. Pricing, quality and the range of products at both businesses will come under scrutiny as the competition and markets authority (CMA) tries to determine if a tie-up will have a negative effect for UK consumers. The regulator will [...]
Sweet deal under scrutiny as watchdog probes Refreshers maker’s sale August 22, 2018 The competition watchdog is investigating a merger between the maker of Rowse Honey and one of the leading independent confectioners Tangerine Confectionery, the maker of Dip Dabs and other household brands, was put up for sale in February by its owner the private equity giant Blackstone. Earlier this month, Rowse Honey owner Valeo confirmed that it had [...]
Sky prepares for £97m advisory bill on Fox deal August 20, 2018 Telecoms giant Sky has revealed it is anticipating a bill for its advisory team of between £90m and £97m, if 21st Century Fox triumphs in its attempt to takeover the firm. A circular published by the broadcaster today said it will spend as much as £61.5m on financial and broking advice, with an additional £20m to [...]
John Laing Infrastructure Fund shares leap on potential £1.4bn offer July 16, 2018 Shares in John Laing Infrastructure Fund (JLIF) leapt by more than 17 per cent this morning after a consortium of funds announced a possible cash offer for the business. The consortium said this morning that it is in negotiations with JLIF over a cash offer for the London-listed business that could value it at £1.4bn. [...]
China shifts investment focus from North America to Europe July 16, 2018 China is shifting its investment focus away from North America and onto Europe, as trade policies and political change force a shift in East-West relations. In the first six months of 2018, foreign direct investment (FDI) from China into Europe reached $22bn ($16.63bn), compared with just $2.5bn in North America. In the first six months [...]
Rathbones confirms it’s in talks to acquire Speirs & Jeffery as Tilney owner Permira elbows in July 9, 2018 Another asset manager merger is on the cards, as Rathbones today confirmed it is in talks to acquire Glaswegian firm Speirs & Jeffrey. City A.M. understands that private equity firm Permira, which owns fund manager Tilney, is also sniffing around the firm. Permira has previously helped Tilney complete a number of acquisitions, from when it [...]
Shire share price jumps after Takeda rebels defeated at annual general meeting June 28, 2018 Shire’s share price rose by more than two per cent this morning following the defeat today of a group of rebel investors at Japanese pharma giant Takeda’s annual general meeting. Read more: Takeda shareholder group aims to block $62bn Shire deal The group, who are trying to block Takeda’s forthcoming $62bn (£47.3bn) acquisition of Shire, [...]
Asda and Sainsbury’s bosses Roger Burnley and Mike Coupe grilled by MPs over merger June 20, 2018 The chair of a select committee has told Asda's boss to "get real" and stop talking "baloney" in a grilling over the supermarket's merger between Asda and Sainsbury's this morning. Asda's Roger Burnley and Sainsbury's boss Mike Coupe appeared in front of the the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee, which has launched an [...]
Competition watchdog flags concerns over media intelligence merger between Nielsen and Ebiquity June 13, 2018 The proposed merger of marketing consultancies Ebiquity and Nielsen has sparked concerns from the competition watchdog. Nielsen and Ebiquity monitor the advertising habits of companies and are the only suppliers of this intelligence across the UK media. Ebiquity announced in February that it wanted to sell its advertising division to Nielsen. The Competition and Markets [...]