Member Info for NigeCo

"When were DT interested in purchasing BT. In my recollection they only ended up with their BT stake as a result of the sale of EE."

Avrohom,

If memory serves me correctly DT were already BT shareholders before they sold EE.

On further research, my findings are.
Liberty bought 6.45% of ITV from Sky RNS date 17 July 2014 for £481mln or 185p per share. On 31 July 2015 RNS date, Liberty bought 3.45% of ITV for approximately £364mln. The ITV share price at the close on the day before the RNS 30 July 2015 was 263p. There was no actual information disclosed regarding the price paid, so just my calculations to go by. So Liberty Global own 9.9% of ITV paying approximately 212p per share.

Going back to July 2014 Liberty global bought a 6.45% stake in ITV from Sky, paying 185p per share. With Liberty now holding a 9.9% stake. does anyone know at what price liberty paid for the other 3.45% that they purchased after the Sky deal?

With falling advertising revenues and the recent death of a participant on the now-cancelled Jeremy Kyle Show continuing to trouble the market, I maintain that FTSE 100 broadcaster ITV (LSE: ITV) looks vulnerable to a takeover approach and, perhaps, an eventual bidding war.

With a 9.9% stake, US telecommunications giant and Virgin Media owner Liberty Global still looks the most likely buyer, even though it has long denied being interested in acquiring the business (despite increasing its shareholding).

ITV’s stock currently trades at just 8 times forecast earnings. With a huge content catalogue, an impressive Studios division and recent double-digit growth in online revenue, that looks dirt cheap to me. One only needs to recall the premium that Sky was sold for to see how tasty things could get. Interestingly, it was that very company that sold its stake in ITV to Liberty Global back in 2014.

Even if a bid isn’t forthcoming in the near future, one could argue that the 7.4% dividend yield is reason enough to take a position, particularly if you’re looking to generate income from your portfolio.

Avrohom,

Maybe DT have plans to make good with their investment in BT?

A loss is only a loss if DT decide to sell. If DT were to gain control of BT they may think that they can do a better job, and turn the once $50bln company around. BT IMHO, must look attractive with a Market Cap at just £19.370bln? A 61% drop. If DT were interested in purchasing BT when the company was worth $50bln, why would they not be interested at half that valuation?

Telecoms group Orange sold remaining stake in BT for 486 million pounds

PARIS (Reuters) - French telecom giant Orange (PA:ORAN) said on Friday that it had sold its 2.5% stake in its British peer BT (L:BT) for 486 million pounds through a private placement.

The former French telecom monopoly had offered the 248 million shares it still held in BT to eligible and qualified investors.

BT itself bought 41 million shares in the operation.

Orange gained the stake when BT bought mobile operator EE, which was a joint venture between the French company and Germany's Deutsche Telekom (DE:DTEGn), in 2016.

The stake sale comes as BT undergoes a major restructuring under new chief Philip Jansen.

Yesterdays overdue rise in the share price was probably down to the Liberty Vodafone deal expected to be be approved. Let's see if there is any follow through in the share price today.

Taverham,

STOB still own 12.5% of ESL.

EU set to OK Vodafone/Liberty Global asset deal - Reuters

Jun. 26, 2019 12:31 PM ET|About: Liberty Global Plc (LBTYA)|By: Jason Aycock, SA News Editor

European Union regulators are set to give the go-ahead to Vodafone's (NASDAQ:VOD) $22B deal for Liberty Global's cable nets in Germany and Central Europe, Reuters reports.

That's based on concessions that the companies had offered up in May, according to the report -- particularly getting rival Telefonica Deutschland (TEF +0.7%) access to the merged high-speed broadband network.

Vodafone is up 1.9% while Liberty Global is paring losses somewhat, with LBTYA down just 0.7%.

Eccles,

I'm not sure that this report holds any credence, because there's no RNS from ESL.

Velo,

Let's hope that its a case of Chinese whispers.

"The longer term plan to achieve 10m passengers, look ambitious, however Warwick Brady's bonus scheme is structured in a way that puts him on the same page as shareholders.
1 - he has to build up and hold a shareholding in STOB 2x his annual salary, so at the present sp, he has a lot more shares to buy. Or of course the value of his holding rises as the sp rises.
2 - he has to achieve the passenger growth projections
3 - a buyer for the airport needs to be found."

Hi Gerry,

Thanks for your excellent reply, much appreciated.

I have also read recently regarding the CEO incentive plan above, and also thought that 10 million passengers by 2025 maybe a little ambitious. Although STOB have put these growth targets in for a reason, and must think that they're achievable. I believe this asset is only going to increase in value that makes STOB a good long-term investment. IMHO.

One other question that you may well be able to clear up is, I've read recently that STOB own 49% of ESL, I've also read that it owns 12.5% of ESL. Can you please confirm which figure is correct? Thanks in advance, & GL.

BT starts early talks over sale of Spanish business - Telegraph

Jun. 25, 2019 1:29 AM ET|About: BT Group plc (BT)|By: Jason Aycock, SA News Editor

BT Group (NYSE:BT) has started exploratory talks with potential buyers of BT España, its Spanish operation, the Telegraph reports.

The incumbent British telecom had previously considered combining those operations with the company's Latin American business, but is now pursuing a stand-alone split-off, according to the report.

Such a sale comes in parallel with a separate process to sell BT Ireland, a sign that a restructuring of its international arm is speeding up.

While the Spanish talks are at an early point, the Telegraph notes any deal's more likely to appeal to buyout firms and infrastructure investors rather than bigger Spanish telecom players like Orange (NYSE:ORAN), Vodafone (NASDAQ:VOD), MásMóvil or Telefonica (NYSE:TEF).

"you have to be in it to win it !"

So true Gerry,

I almost bought into STOB I think it was around 3 years ago. Anyway I remember the share price was around 100p at the time. I never bought and watch the SP go up to 300p. I kicked myself every time that I looked up the SP. I've watched the SP fall and last week decided to take the plunge and bought at 102.12p.

After doing some research into STOB, I think that the jewel in their crown is Southend airport, that looks to have great growth prospects for the foreseeable future (5 years plus). I would value your opinion with you being a long-term shareholder.

Do you think that the growth in passenger prospects set by the company below are realistic?

“Last year 2018 1.5m passengers went through the airport; however, the Group now has set a target of handling 5m passengers by 2022, and then 10m by 2025. And to cater for those numbers it is making the appropriate investments in the infrastructure.”

Of the 377,821,715 shares in issue the following have notable stakes in STOB equity: Invesco (26.30%), Woodford (19.50%), M&G (4.96%), Miton (3.12%), Royal London (2.50%), Vanguard (1.98%), Hargreave Hale (1.94%), and Legal & General (1.73%). Two private shareholders have meaningful stakes: William Tinkler (5.81%) and Alan Jenkinson (5.52%).

So that’s a total of 73.36% of STOB that’s held by institutions and two private large shareholders. I intend adding to my holding next month. My only concern is Woodford; do you think that he will become a forced seller, with his fund in trouble and needing cash?

Thanks Gerry. GL

I would agree Trent,

Although, I won't be putting any more cash into ITV. I think that ITV are a great buying opportunity with the current low share price, with limited down side, also a good dividend yield.

"Patience wearing thin but hanging on for a while yet.
We can forget about a takeover given no interest at just over a quid
from anyone."

Hi Dallo,

Yes I also share your frustrations mate, I'm afraid we're all in the same boat, that's rudderless, drifting along waiting for a hungry predator. The problem is the predator won't budge until Brexit is sorted out. Patience is needed at these very low levels. Undervalued is an understatement. I intend holding on, I'm losing too much to jump ship now. Has long as ITV pay the divided, I will hold.

Of the 377,821,715 shares in issue the following have notable stakes in STOB equity: Invesco (26.30%), Woodford (19.50%), M&G (4.96%), Miton (3.12%), Royal London (2.50%), Vanguard (1.98%), Hargreave Hale (1.94%), and Legal & General (1.73%). Two private shareholders have meaningful stakes: William Tinkler (5.81%) and Alan Jenkinson (5.52%).

So that’s a total of 73.36% of STOB that’s held by institutions and two private large shareholders. I intend adding to my holding next month. My only concern is Woodford; will he become a forced seller?

5eights,

I also noticed with quite a few stocks that had large volume UT amounts. I just wonder if Neil Woodford is behind this with him being a forced seller? It would make sense.

Dallo,

Agreed, but it's better than nowt mate.

"But i cant see night flights any time soon.. when the expansion was planned as you can imagine there was a great deal of uproar from the people living in the area.. if you under the flight path its not great.."

Hi Normbeef,

I would agree mate. There seems to be enough growth for at least the next 5 years before Southend airport would even need to consider night flights.