CMA launches Net-A-Porter merger inquiry July 10, 2015 Those on the frow* may consider themselves are the forefront of fashion – but it turns out the UK's competition regulator is the ultimate arbiter of style. The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has raised a question mark over the merger between it and Yoox, an Italian competitor. The €1.3bn (£936m) merger between Net-a-Porter, the [...]
Coty lands sweet smelling $12bn Procter & Gamble beauty deal July 9, 2015 In a transaction valued at $12.5bn (£8.1bn), multinational consumer goods company Procter & Gamble (P&G) has agreed to sell 43 of its brands to global beauty products manufacturer Coty. The various brands acquired by Coty include Max Factor, Hugo Boss and Lacoste, and all compete in the hair care, retail cosmetics and fine fragrance sectors. [...]
A Grexit could wipe almost £1 trillion from global M&A activity July 8, 2015 Greece's exit from the euro would strike a severe blow to global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity if not managed carefully, according to a report by legal firm Baker & McKenzie. Read more: Here's what we can learn from the 10 biggest deals in pharmaceutical history Using financial modelling, it predicts that over the [...]
German media merger still has many challenges to overcome July 7, 2015 Shares in Axel Springer, the German media giant, ended today up over 2 per cent, on the back of escalating rumours of a media mega merger. The publisher of Europe’s best selling tabloid newspaper, Bild, had yesterday failed to quash rumours that are swirling that it is in merger talks with Germany’s top broadcaster [...]
Law firm mergers drop as partners focus on growth-driven takeovers July 5, 2015 Mergers between law firms decreased by 11 per cent last year, with the number of deals taking place in the UK dropping to 174 from 196 in 2013. This is 30 per cent lower below the 247 mergers seen in the industry in 2011. Finance provider LDF, which sponsored the research, said an increasing number [...]
Foreign buyers push City into deals boom: Biggest haul of British M&A activity since before financial crisis June 30, 2015 Britain has experienced the biggest boom in M&A since the financial crisis thanks to a rush of overseas buyers, according to figures out today. Weaker sterling, low interest rates and renewed corporate confidence have sparked acquisitions of everything from oil companies to tin can makers since the start of the year. The total [...]
Willis Group to merge with Tower Watson in $18bn deal June 30, 2015 Reinsurance broker Willis Group is set to merge with risk management group Towers Watson in a deal worth $18bn. On completion the deal will result in Willis owning 50.1 per cent of the combined group. Towers Watson shareholdings will own the remainder, keeping Willis’ Irish domicile, the Financial Times reported today. The deal will create [...]
Allegion to pay €210m in offer for SimonsVoss June 29, 2015 Private equity house HgCapital Trust has agreed to sell its European locking systems business, SimonsVoss, to security products specialist Allegion, in a deal valued at €210m (£150m). SimonsVoss was founded in 1995, and generated sales of €52m in 2014. It employs around 275 people. Allegion employs almost 8,500 people and its products are sold in [...]
Regulators list problems with Poundland’s £55m 99p Stores merger June 25, 2015 Britain’s competition watchdog unveiled a list of issues it is exploring around Poundland’s £55m merger with 99p Stores after the discount chain agreed to push ahead with an in-depth probe last month. Poundland, which floated on the stock market last year, announced in February that it was going to buy 99p Stores. However, the Competition [...]
Analysts warn that Ladbrokes – Gala Coral mega merger odds on for competition issues June 23, 2015 Analysts are warning that Ladbrokes' multi-million pound merger with Gala Coral could have to jump serious competition hurdles. The combined company would command 4000 retail shops – about 45 per cent of the UK market – and give the group much better odds in the online gaming space too. The retail position in [...]
