US activist investors ramp up attacks on UK companies January 6, 2025 US activist investors ramped up their attacks on UK companies in 2024, with British firms continuing as the top target for investor campaigns in Europe. 42 per cent of all activist campaigns in Europe targeted the UK, with 59 companies coming under pressure throughout the year, according to Alvarez & Marsal’s latest Activist Alert Outlook. [...]
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 [...]
The markets in 2025 December 9, 2024 Market forces are likely to continue to change into next year and dealmakers need to be ready, says Merlin Piscitelli With elevated wage costs and tax changes, business sentiment has sunk to an all-time low, following the Autumn Budget. But while confidence in growth under a Labour government appears weak, one industry that is booming is mergers [...]
Deutsche Bank boss: A ‘wave’ of European bank mergers is coming December 4, 2024 The chief executive of Deutsche Bank has predicted a “wave” of European bank mergers while playing down speculation he could make a bid for domestic rival Commerzbank. Speaking at the Financial Times’ Global Banking Summit on Wednesday, Christian Sewing said consolidation in the sector will accelerate and could be supported further by changes to regulation. [...]
CMA takes steps towards probe into BlackRock’s acquisition of Preqin December 3, 2024 The British competition regulator takes first steps towards a probe into BlackRock's anticipated £2.55bn acquisition of financial data group Preqin
Hill Dickinson capitalises on private equity’s surge in accountancy sector December 2, 2024 PE's growing presence in accountancy is driving demand for legal expertise, as firms like Hill Dickinson position themselves to capitalise
London Stock Exchange takeover bonanza tops £50bn November 29, 2024 This year's barrage of takeover bids for firms lsited on the London Stock Exchange has jumped to £52bn, igniting fears over the future of Britain's equity markets.
Cosy Club owner Loungers snapped up by Fortress for £338m November 28, 2024 Fortress will offer 310p per share, which is a 30 per cent premium to Loungers' closing price yesterday and above its highest ever trading price.
Direct Line rebuffs ‘highly opportunistic’ approach from Aviva November 27, 2024 In a stock exchange announcement, Aviva confirmed that it had submitted an offer last week, which valued the FTSE 250 firm at 250p per share.
UK M&A set for ‘sustained increase’ after Budget and Trump victory November 14, 2024 British M&A activity is expected to ramp up going into 2025, City advisers have said, as dealmakers feel more certainty following the Budget and US presidential election.