All Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) articles – Page 32
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Public AffairsEricsson loses latest skirmish in Telefónica Avatar saga
Ericsson blocked from unilaterally changing working conditions for employees transferred from Telefónica in 2010 in conjunction with the AltamirA platform acquisition. A renewed deal linked to the platform removes Telefónica’s minimum spend commitment.
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M&AVM O2 CEO happy as spectator to BT takeover saga
Lutz Schüler, CEO at Virgin Media O2, said he “thanks God” his business is not distracted by shareholder goings on. Comes after Patrick Drahi expanded his shareholding in VM O2 rival BT. Schüler’s attention fixed on customer experience improvements and fibre rollout.
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M&ADefences up as Drahi increases BT stake
Patrick Drahi’s Altice UK stops short of a takeover bid, but increases holding to 18%. UK government issues warning that it “will not hesitate” to protect national interests amid concerns of foreign investment in critical infrastructure incumbent. Takeover not Drahi’s ‘intention’, but caveats are in place.
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M&AWill Drahi come knocking on BT’s door?
Six months on from French billionaire’s surprise raid on BT, Altice UK now free to up its stake or mount a takeover bid. Jansen called in for meeting with UK government minister to get the lowdown on Drahi’s intentions.
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M&AMagyar Telekom divests healthcare subsidiary
Hungarian NatCo’s T-Systems Hungary business has divested its Pan-Inform subsidiary. Unit will be operated by the state following the deal’s conclusion in early-2022.
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M&AAmerican Tower “excited” by tower M&A in Europe
CFO flags possibility of “compelling things” happening in Europe’s tower scene. Cautions, however, that American Tower in no rush for dealmaking. Deutsche Telekom, Cellnex, Orange, and Vodafone also in the mix for tower M&A.
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M&ABT Sport mulls Discovery JV as DAZN buyout stalls
Discovery in talks with BT over sports broadcasting partnership. Deal would offer strong alternative to DAZN’s £600m buyout attempt.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone close to settling €2.4bn tax dispute with India
Group offers New Delhi a deal after retrospective tax legislation scrapped. Dispute harks back to Vodafone acquisition of Hutchison Essar in 2007. Indian stand-off has long cast a shadow over Group finances, despite recent legal victories.
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PremiumViasat swoops on Aviation Network partner Inmarsat
Proposed transaction could bring end to ongoing legal challenges over the EAN. EAN said to have secured Greek Aegean Airlines as further customer.
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PremiumElsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: Vodafone TV to end in NZ
Developments from around Vodafone’s soft-power network: New Zealand’s Vodafone TV to be retired in 2022; MTS subsidiary acquires facial recognition specialist VisionLabs.
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PremiumElsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: KKR bids for TIM
KKR submits cheeky bid for TIM; TPG requests joint functional separation undertaking.
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PremiumRead calls out European market failures
Vodafone CEO Nick Read identified four core principles that he sees as necessary for Europe to compete against Chinese and US tech domination. Consolidation of “hyper-fragmented” telecoms market remains a preoccupation.
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M&ADT ‘exploring fibre JVs in Austria, Poland’
Germany’s fledgling GlasfaserPlus tie-up said to be providing model for other JVs. Report indicates progress is at a more advanced stage in Austria.
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M&ASpain shields Telefónica as KKR’s TI bid makes waves
Spanish government reinforcing restrictions that would halt hostile bids for Telefónica until 2023. Europe’s telco sector awash with bid speculation as KKR pursues TI, and Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries is linked to a BT bid.
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M&AReliance denies interest in acquiring BT stake
BT share price jumps on report that Indian conglomerate eyeing a move for UK incumbent. Reliance quick to dismiss the article as “completely speculative and baseless”, but City still excited.
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PremiumQ2 FY21–22 Headlines: Vodafone growth maintained despite B2B, Spain bumps
Group benefits as COVID-19 drag steadily eases. On positive side, forward movement maintained in Germany and UK, and picture improves in super-competitive Italy. Blotches include an apparent step back in growth at Vodafone Business, despite its star billing, and a return to reverse gear in perennially challenging Spain.
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PremiumTelefónica linked to Portugal return, as Drahi builds war chest
Portuguese market leader in fixed and mobile access available for sale as owner Drahi looks at Eutelsat and BT acquisitions. Telefónica may consider spreading its wings as debt worries die down. Lack of infrastructure ‘crown jewels’ may lessen appeal of any deal.
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PremiumDT Q3 FY21 headline data: forward motion
Group juggernaut rolls on with all major dials heading upwards. Commercial strength seen in Germany and USA. CFO reassures on leverage following C-band splurge.
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PremiumQ3 FY21: Forager DT ‘hogs’ an extra billion in earnings
DT boosts full-year outlook for third time, adding €1bn in earnings and €500m in cash flow to its original FY21 forecasts. Already optimistic leadership becoming even more bullish as European markets recover, and T-Mobile US weathers competitive uptick while executing on Sprint integration. Results backdropped by M&A geared towards ...
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PremiumVodafone New Zealand said to initiate tower spinout
Former Vodafone OpCo’s parents reported to have hired advisors to guide them through separation and monetisation. Move comes with regional tower market heating up. Both Spark and Vodafone NZ moot interest in infra-sharing.