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Interesting......came out couple hours ago..👍

Air France-KLM (AFRAF) (AFLYY) Chief Executive Ben Smith said the airline group would be willing to discuss a potential acquisition proposal involving EasyJet (EJTTF) if approached by private investment firm Castlelake, highlighting growing industry interest in the British budget carrier, Bloomberg News reported Sunday.

Smith said Air France-KLM isn’t currently participating in any bid for EasyJet. However, he noted that the low-cost airline's portfolio of airport slots across Europe makes it an attractive asset and helps explain why potential buyers are exploring a deal.

The comments come after Castlelake disclosed that it is evaluating a possible offer for EasyJet. Under European Union ownership rules, a U.S.-based investment firm would likely need a European partner to complete any acquisition of an airline operating within the region.

The prospect of consolidation is significant for investors because it underscores the strategic value of airport slots and route networks at a time when European airlines are seeking scale, stronger market positions and greater operating efficiency. Any takeover attempt could also trigger broader industry deal-making and affect valuations across the sector.

Smith said Air France-KLM has worked with Castlelake before, including during the investor group's involvement in the rescue of Scandinavian airline SAS. Given that relationship, he indicated the company would be open to hearing any proposal the investment firm might bring forward.

Asked whether he would take a call regarding a possible EasyJet transaction, Smith said he would and suggested other major airline groups would likely do the same.

EasyJet has pushed back against the takeover interest, describing the approach as opportunistic and arguing that it does not reflect the airline's long-term value. The company has pointed to weakness in its share price as a factor behind the interest from potential buyers.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Castlelake is considering a partnership with shipping and logistics group MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. as part of a possible bid.

Castlelake has until the end of June to decide whether to make a formal offer or abandon its pursuit under U.K. takeover rules.

Investors will be watching closely for signs that a consortium emerges, as well as whether rival airline groups or strategic investors seek a role in any potential transaction

I added 20 grand worth at 69p. So now hold 106000 shares @79 p average. I was impressed with the massive beat on free cashflow in very different trading conditions. Hence driving the moves in theast 25 hours. This is still crazy cheap imo. When the fuss over the war dies down and rates stabilise, if not fall, this will come good. Holding for for over 100p . Good luck all

Well done chaps. Only a week ago we were touching 70p. Hopefully just the beginning. Onwards and upwards!

Spot on Lorenzo lynch.

Contrarian investing can bw one of the best ways of maximisimg returns. Sentiment pushes good companies to ridiculous lows. Recent example in my case is Dollar General. Solid company which massively sold off and is now up 70% from January low. When sentiment turns , it turns fast. This will happen to JD. But hey again , what do I know ...

HC92.

If this hits 60 again then I will be buying again , even though I would have breached my max allocation to a single name. Fundamentals always matter. 60 would imply a businesss that is going under not one making almost 1 billion PBT.

Sentiment is negative towards the sector but this will change. I remember in 23 I was buying UK banks and was called crazy. They all rocketed soon after when institutions saw the valuation gap. Same thing will happen here. Need a few rate cuts, improving sales from Nike et al and we are away.

Added another 13500 shares @ 73.7p. Average now is 84p with 76,000 shares.

The last time this share was trading this cheaply in 2017 it was making a quarter of the revenue and a third of the profit.

This is now a globally diversified giant , stocking all major brands in a solid growing market . I am sorry, but if you cannot see the value at these levels , you need to give your head a wobble.

This will come good in a big way , a little patience is all that's needed. Rates will fall, tariff fears will calm down and this will fly. All imho. Best of luck all 👍

Totally agree. I bought on the ridiculous sell off on Tuesday. IMO the mgm partnership alone is worth a fiver. Great results from MGM this week. Today's upping in stake by Convexity is a good sign. Onwards and upwards. Great weekend all 👍

Potentially listing Icici Pru Asset management in India. Proceeds go to shareholders...

Great RNS. Should be a nice payout to shareholders...onwards and upwards ...

Just bought 31,320 shares @ 93.94p. A really solid company with a great brand . Trading at a criminally low multiple, great opportunity imho. Good luck all and merry Xmas 🎄

Great trade affmaead! I only managed 5500 @179p as all I could pull together. Average is 185p for 15,000 shares. . Got a major dilemma now. You gonna take any profit ? I'm thinking this can run further ...their forward income guidance is based on 5 interest cuts this year which ain't happening! Max 2/3....also like I said the structural hedge is a major income stream

Well done the chaps that bought @179p in October during the ridiculous sell off because they changed their NIM guidance by 5 bps! 70% return in six months was a total no brainer at the price. Tempted to take profits but looking at the structural hedge , it a major tailwind going forward. Stil only trading at NAV. Well done holders and GLA.

Not selling a single share. Average is 3.79 and fully believe these will hit north of 7 quid no problem by end of the year. EasyJet holidays are a massive growth engine imo. GLA and happy Friday....🍻

Sold half BP @ 5.39 and Shel @ 29.29. No way I was selling all holdings as still think these bad boys can run further due to valuation gap with US peers. Averages were 2.67 and 13 quid. GLA and thanks for useful posts. Happy Friday! I'm off for several beers 🍻

Sold half @29.29. Well done all holders! No way was selling all, still really cheaply valued but couldn't resist taking some off the table. My average was 13 quid.GLA and happy Friday!

EasyJet is set to return to the FTSE 100 next week almost four years after it dropped out of the index during the pandemic.

The airliner’s share price has risen by more than half since mid-October as it benefited from greater demand, higher prices and easing fuel prices.

In a trading update for the last three months of 2023, the company reported 14 per cent passenger growth year on year despite the onset of the Israel-Gaza war in early October leading to a temporary slowdown in flight bookings across the wider industry.

However, even after the rise, the company’s shares remain well below their pre-pandemic levels as it has faced competition from rivals Ryanair and Wizz Air.

The company will replace Endeavour Mining, which is set for demotion from the blue-chip index to the FTSE 250 in the quarterly reshuffle. This is according to indicative results released by index compiler FTSE Russell based on Tuesday night’s closing price.

The Africa-focused gold miner’s shares have fallen by nearly a third since the start of the year following the dismissal of its former chief executive Sébastien de Montessus amid accusations, which he denies, of misconduct.

At the close of markets on Tuesday, easyJet had a market capitalisation of £4.2 billion while Endeavour Mining was valued at £3.1 billion.

Https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/easyjet-heads-back-to-ftse-100-after-four-year-break-0pnxp2wfk

Yes, dividend will be paid Tuesday 2 May.

Kingalf - agreed. I defo think it's the lower margin causing the drop. The 11 bn outflow, 8bn was people paying tax payments and some flight to higher paying access a counts . Undervalued and has great potential going forward, imho.

Solid results overall. Only thing I can think of is that Analyst consensus of Net Interest margin for Q1 was 3.38% and they actually posted 3.27%...