RE: Thoughts on whether Blackstone is the likely winner12 Jul 2025 20:46
It's an interesting situation and a bit of a win win for shareholders either way. Blackstone increasing their stake to 13.79% and looking to add to that, together with board switching backing, must make them favourites at this point. Telling market price has settled exactly in line with their bid (including dividend).
But it's not great for London market as a whole to yet have another plc taken over by private equity. It speaks to quality of the company's assets and their potential to even have these competing bids. Ball firmly in BBOX court but they will need a decent counter - hopefully they pull something out of the bag for the good of the exchange, and for shareholders with a longer term view.