Dust off the defence manuals… private equity is coming, say advisors Investing 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 [...]
A turbulent year for London’s markets… in four graphs Markets “There’s always light at the end of the tunnel,” said one London Stock Exchange executive in March, just after two more firms announced they were heading for the exit. “Don’t lose your head amongst all the doom-mongering.” It is a mantra that London’s bourse has had to hold onto over the past 12 months as [...]
Grant Thornton UK partners green light private equity deal with Cinven Business Accountancy giant Grant Thornton UK partners have "unanimously voted in favour" of investment from private equity firm Cinven
Nodor: Darts maker for Luke Humphries sells majority stake to Inflexion December 9, 2024 A majority stake in a family-run company which makes darts used by world champion Luke Humphries has been sold to a private equity firm. Inflexion has invested in Nodor Group, which is behind Winmau boards and Red Dragon darts, for an undisclosed sum. The Bridgend-based company was founded more than 100 years ago and has [...]
Asda needs to ‘dig down into its soul’ and recover sense of purpose, say analysts December 9, 2024 Asda needs to “dig down into its soul” and reshape its pitch to customers if it wants to tackle the rising threat from the likes of Aldi and Lidl following a rollercoaster 2024, analysts have warned. The Leeds-headquartered supermarket giant has not been far from the headlines all year amid debt struggles, strikes, falling sales [...]
The £277bn golden ticket: Why private equity is so interested in professional services December 8, 2024 Private equity interest in the professional services has skyrocketed especially for those with accountancy arms, with major deals being announced nearly every week
Webuyanycar sales plunge by £1bn after slide in used car prices December 2, 2024 Sales at Webuyanycar plunged by almost £1bn in its latest financial year as a sharp fall in the value of used cars hit the motor marketplace, it has been revealed. The company, which is owned by Constellation Automotive, has reported a revenue of £2.57bn for the year to 31 March, 2024, according to newly-filed accounts [...]
Polling giant Ipsos eyes up Kantar Media in potential £1bn deal December 2, 2024 Global polling giant Ipsos has confirmed it is considering a potential acquisition of TV ratings business Kantar Media in a deal that could be valued around £1bn. It comes as Ipsos goes up against a number of rival bids from private equity firms looking to expand into the market data sector, according to reports. Ipsos [...]
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
Investor row erupts over Loungers private equity bid December 1, 2024 An investor battle has erupted over a private equity bid for Cosy Club and Brightside operator Loungers, with some “furious” over the perceived low offer. On Thursday, the Loungers board backed a £338m takeover offer from Fortress Investment Group, a 30 per cent to its share price. Despite the board accepting the offer, various shareholders [...]