Popped corks as Greene King-Spirit pub partnership gets green light June 22, 2015 Pub operator Greene King yesterday toasted the competition watchdog’s approval of its £774m takeover of Spirit. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it was satisfied the proposed sale of 16 pubs by the combined group would fix concerns raised by the company’s acquisition of Spirit Pub Company, and would not be referring the [...]
Virgin Active to bulk up in size in Asia and Africa June 22, 2015 Virgin Active, one of the world’s largest gym chains, said yesterday it will step up growth in Asia and Africa, and embark on a complete overhaul of its online platform this year following, its acquisition by South African billionaire Christo Wiese. The fitness group was on course for a listing on the Johannesburg stock market [...]
Aer Lingus sets out terms of €1.4bn IAG offer June 19, 2015 A takeover of Aer Lingus by International Airlines Group (IAG) – the parent company of British Airways – came one step closer this morning, after the Irish airline published the full terms of IAG's offer for the group and called an extraordinary general meeting. The deal has been sparked by Ryanair, which has been told [...]
Billion Poundland: Profits up 18.6 per cent for budget retailer in first year since IPO June 18, 2015 Poundland’s profits soared 18.6 per cent in the 12 months to 29 March as it passed £1bn in sales for the first time. Read more: Poundland brings forward competition probe into 99p Stores deal The figures Underlying pre-tax profit hit £43.7m, an 18.6 per cent increase on 2014’s £36.8m. Total sales rose 11.9 per cent to [...]
The great adventure: How to navigate the world of equity crowdfunding as an investor June 18, 2015 Debt and equity crowdfunding have the potential to revolutionise small business funding. In 2012, The Breedon Report predicted a funding gap of £59bn for UK companies by 2016, if nothing was done. The government’s response was to make funds available via alternative finance providers and to enhance the benefits to equity investors via the Enterprise [...]
Best of the Brokers for 16 June 2015 June 15, 2015 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com DAIRY CREST Shore Capital reiterated its “buy” recommendation on the dairy food company after the Competition and Markets Authority said it is minded to refer the firm’s proposed merger with Muller-Wiseman for an inquiry. The broker is confident the issues can be solved [...]
Forget the doom-mongers: Investing in infrastructure is as safe as it sounds June 15, 2015 Received wisdom says that infrastructure is a safe and boring haven for long-term investors looking for yield in a low interest rate environment. Recently, however, the asset class has come under attack for being more risky than the low-yielding government bonds for which it is touted as an alternative home for investors’ cash. Even the [...]
RBS hiring drive to aid challenger bank Williams & Glyn disposal June 14, 2015 One-fifth of the hires RBS is looking to make fall within the Williams & Glyn challenger bank being carved out of the state-backed lender, illustrating the scale of the task at hand as RBS readies itself to launch the revived brand as its deadline draws nearer. Of the 1,235 open positions being advertised on the [...]
Greene King leaps last hurdle in Spirit merger June 11, 2015 Greene King moved within touching distance of completing its takeover of Spirit Pub Company yesterday after announcing the acquisition was no longer subject to regulatory approval. The announcement that the company had waived approval from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) means the acquisition is expected to take place within weeks. Last [...]
The Competition and Markets Authority issues “final order” demanding Ryanair sell its Aer Lingus holding to British Airways parent IAG June 11, 2015 The Competition and Markets Authority has issued a final order that Ryanair sell down its stake in Aer Lingus, reducing its holding from 29.8 per cent to five per cent – but Ryanair has hit back at what it calls a "ridiculous" ruling. It follows a decision by the Irish government last month to [...]