Private equity firms backed to capitalise on Brexit opportunities October 20, 2016 Private equity houses have been backed to capitalise on uncertainty over the UK’s Brexit vote with new investments. A Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report out today highlights a number of areas private equity (PE) should be focusing on after the EU referendum result. And one of the report’s authors, Antoon Schneider, a senior partner at [...]
Pass the popcorn: Competition watchdog considers AMC takeover of Odeon cinemas October 19, 2016 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an inquiry into AMC Theatres’ acquisition of Odeon. AMC agreed a £921m deal to buy Odeon from private equity group Terra Firma Capital Partners in July. Read more: AMC Theatres set to buy Odeon cinema chain in £921m deal The CMA today announced the launch of an [...]
FCA gives approval to Singapore takeover of Baltic Exchange, paving way for deal to complete next month October 19, 2016 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has approved the Singapore Exchange’s takeover on the London-based Baltic Exchange. Shareholders gave their backing to the £87m deal, which is due to complete on 8 November, last month. The Baltic announced today that the FCA approved the deal on 13 October. Read more: Baltic Exchange investors say yes to [...]
Yahoo beats Wall Street estimates ahead of Verizon takeover October 18, 2016 Yahoo beat Wall Street earnings estimates in its third quarter earnings, which was a welcome bit of good news for Marissa Mayer’s firm. The company said it earned 20 cents per share on an adjusted basis, above analyst predictions of 14 cents and reported a 6.5 per cent rise in quarterly revenue. But although Yahoo reported [...]
Chinese industrial duo Yinyi Group and Impro to battle it out for Doncasters October 18, 2016 Two Chinese industrial firms, Yinyi Group and Impro, have emerged as two of the bidders for engineering giant Doncasters. According to Sky News, the interest is tentative, but should it progress further, could test the government’s attitude on foreign ownership of British manufacturers. Read more: Winning HS2 bidder has to develop generation of UK engineering [...]
SVG board gives HarbourVest takeover green light after forcing up price October 18, 2016 The board of SVG Capital (SVG) has accepted an increased takeover offer from US behemoth HarbourVest that will likely draw to a close a tumultuous month of punches and counter-punches between the two parties. The confirmation of the deal was announced this afternoon and will mean SVG shareholders will receive the equivalent of 715p a share for the assets of the [...]
Leeds wealth manager aims to take revenues north with London firm takeover October 18, 2016 Leeds-based wealth management company the Private Office (TPO) has acquired a London financial planning firm. The cash and equity deal for PQR Financial Planning will strengthen TPO’s London presence and create a platform for further growth, the firm said. The combined business, which also includes TPO sister company SavingsChampion.co.uk, will have a turnover of £8.5m. [...]
Amaya tells Will Hill shareholder where to stick its Ebitda cash conversion October 18, 2016 Canadian online gambling company has hit back at William Hill shareholder claims about its business after merger talks between the companies collapsed. Last week, after Will Hill confirmed talks between the companies, the UK company’s largest shareholder, Parvus Asset Management, said a deal would have “limited strategic logic and would destroy shareholder value”. Read more: [...]
Bets off: William Hill ends merger talks with Canadian online gambling group Amaya October 18, 2016 William Hill’s £4.5bn merger talks with Canada’s Amaya have come to an end. The bookmaker said this morning that it had ended discussions after consulting shareholders. Read more: Ex-William Hill boss says bookie should abandon Amaya merger plans The FTSE 250 company said in a statement: After canvassing views from a number of William Hill's major [...]
RMT turns down ‘bribe’ from Southern as next three-day strike goes ahead October 17, 2016 Southern’s latest attempt to bring an end to ongoing strike action has been promptly rebuffed by the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT). Southern’s last roll of the dice before train guards walk out on another three-day strike at midnight, was putting a lump sum of £2,000 back on the table earlier today. Southern owner Govia Thameslink [...]