In this inaugural edition of Dealreporter Asia Pacifics podcast, Stephanie Hanna and Ed Vinales discuss the appointment of a new head of Chinas State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), and how the US-China trade dispute is impacting Wesfarmers hostile bid for rare-earth miner Lynas. Other situations covered include the hairy privatisation of Hong Kongs Harbin Electric, and the ongoing sale processes surrounding Hitachi Chemical, and NXC Corp, which owns 47.68% of South Koreas largest g...
May 24, 2019•12 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast With European telecoms attracting takeover attention, Dealreporter editor Heba Abdelrahman and Mergermarket journalist Amy-Jo Crowley joined us to talk about the case for telecoms M&A, the obstacles standing in the way of deals in the space, and the likelihood of a deal for KPN [AMS:KPN].
May 10, 2019•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Activist investors are adapting their strategy to the top of the business cycle. Activistmonitor assistant editor William Mace and William Cain, who writes Dealreporter's Flash feature, joined us this week to speak about the intersection of private equity and shareholder activism.
Apr 04, 2019•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck [CPH: LUN] is poised for a run of M&A to replenish its drug pipeline. We caught up with our Nordics reporter, Karoliina Liimatainen, who spoke recently with the company's chief executive, Deborah Dunsire, and has more on the company's plans for growth.
Feb 28, 2019•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Just when Apollo seemed poised to take over plastics company RPC, Berry Global emerged as a possible rival bidder. Deane McRobie interviews Mergermarket industrials reporter Joao Grando and Dealreporter industrials reporter Swetha Gopinath on last week's spoiler.
Feb 07, 2019•8 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode, hosted by Deane McRobie, features EMEA research editor at Mergermarket, Jonathan Klonowski, and Mergermarket private-equity reporter, Claude Risner. The team review UK M&A activity in 2018 discussing Brexit woes affecting market volatility and sectors to watch if the country heads towards an economic downturn. Also hear their predictions for 2019's deal pipeline.
Jan 25, 2019•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two years after talks began, Linde and Praxair are still trying to secure regulatory clearance for their merger. Chinese approval is due within weeks, but with a 24 October deadline approaching, is the industrial gasses deal going to run out of steam? Brandon Hamilton tells Julie-Anna Needham why coordinating the antitrust approvals are proving to be a headache for the companies.
Sep 13, 2018•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Vodafone has had quite the year, announcing a deal with Liberty Global for its Eastern European assets, while reportedly also having caught the eye of activist fund Elliott. Will they push for share buybacks or perhaps a (partial) disposal of its towers assets? Samantha Tomaszczyk discusses what could be next for the telecoms giant.
Aug 24, 2018•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast No one is safe from activist investors, or so Elliott Advisors would have European companies believe. The US-based fund was recently revealed to have built a stake in Vodafone Group. What they might want is still a mystery, but it is likely the global telecoms group's many minority interests and broad geographical portfolio could be targeted. Much of the action this year has revolved around de-conglomerisation, with activists Cevian and Elliott at Thyssenkrupp and Sherborne Investors at Barclays...
Aug 09, 2018•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast The unstoppable trend of craft beer has seen major brewers - such as Heineken, Kirin and AB InBev - muscle in on the action. But getting in to bed with "big beer" poses a dilemma for small brewers who value their independence, with some opting for private equity investment instead. Over a few beers, Julie-Anna Needham discusses the matter with John West and Deane McRobie
Jul 19, 2018•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this weeks Dealcast the exceptional M&A cycle is discussed with Greenhills UK head, Pieter-Jan Bouten. Mega deals are set to continue with both boards and investors displaying an extraordinary level of confidence in pursuing transactions and accelerating growth, according to Bouten. Strong activity in the TMT sector is set to continue, driven by technology and the importance of companies such as Facebook, Amazon and Netflix.
Jul 06, 2018•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Famed for its association with James Bond, the luxury British car-maker Aston Martin is eyeing a London listing later this year. The owners are reportedly hoping for a valuation of between GBP 4bn and GBP 5bn. But investors have questioned that valuation and queried how closely it can be compared to Ferrari, which has seen its share price jump by some 160% since listing in 2016. Julie-Anna Needham speaks to Katrien Van Hoof and Swetha Gopinath.
Jun 21, 2018•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Long-rumoured break-up candidate Smiths Group recently confirmed talks about combining its medical division with ICU Medical. Could it be the trigger that leads to a break-up of the remaining divisions? Meanwhile, at Unipers AGM, a key vote has been delayed on the probe into the role of management and whether they tried to block a stake sale to Fortum. We discuss what it means for the deal. With Julie-Anna Needham and William Cain.
Jun 07, 2018•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast European banking deals are the discussed this week. Barclays' rumoured tie-up with Standard Chartered is making headlines, while Clydesdale has just over a week before it needs to make a firm bid for Virgin Money. In Denmark, Ringjobing Landbobank has secured the backing of major shareholder previous rival for its deal with Nordjyske. With Julie-Anna Needham and Gustav Sandstrom
May 24, 2018•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two complicated relationships are discussed in this edition of Dealcast. Vodafone has bid for some of Liberty Globals European assets. The companies' on/off relationship has led them to being compared to Ross and Rachel from Friends. So can they go the distance this time? Comcasts rumoured bid for Twenty-First Century Fox to rival that of Disney is also examined. Who will succeed, and how will the Murdochs protect their legacy? With Julie-Anna Needham and guest Samantha Tomaszczyk...
May 10, 2018•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast This weeks Dealcast examines global changes in merger control. In Europe, Competition Commissioner Vestager is nearing the end of her term in office. Remedies in the recent approval of the Bayer /Monsanto deal highlight the ECs focus on innovation. A CFIUS-style framework to scrutinise foreign investment is also on the horizon. In China, a newly established agency took over the merger control functions of existing agencies on 20 April. But will the State Administration for Market Regulation or S...
Apr 25, 2018•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Takeda has until 25 April to make an offer for Shire or walk away. But with some scepticism amongst Shire shareholders, the Japanese suitor will have work to do to win support, if it proceeds with a firm bid. Katrien Van Hoof and Swetha Gopinath discuss the bidder's financing options and its listing dilemma.
Apr 12, 2018•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast European IPO activity year-to-date has beaten last years total issuance by far, with a total of EUR 11.6bn raised across 41 deals. DACH IPOs dominated, with Siemens Healthineers EUR 4.2bn offer and Deutche Banks DWS EUR 1.46bn IPO grabbing headlines. But not all deals are being met with the same enthusiasm. ECM Editor Sofia Cerqueira and senior reporter Katrien Van Hoof discuss the main trends seen in the first quarter and the challenges that lie ahead for those queuing in the IPO pipeline....
Mar 29, 2018•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast The long-running review of Bayers bid for Monsanto is among the topics discussed by the European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in this weeks Dealcast. The Commissioner tells us why more cases are cleared with a simplified procedure, and gives us her thoughts on innovation and data. With Julie-Anna Needham and Francesca Micheletti.
Mar 01, 2018•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week's Dealcast looks a major deal in the tech industry. Broadcom has increased its bid for Qualcomm. Now Qualcomm must decide whether to engage with its suitor and whether to increase its own offer for NXP. Decisions, decisions.... with Julie-Anna Needham and Samantha Tomaszczyk
Feb 08, 2018•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast GKN has accused Melrose of offering a "fake premium" in its hostile bid for the automotive and aerospace group. Both companies are attempting to woo shareholders by convincing them their team is best placed to run GKN. But who will succeed? With Katrien Van Hoof, Julie-Anna Needham & Amit Rawtani
Jan 25, 2018•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Fixed-odds betting terminals - or FOBTs - and their role in GVCs takeover of Ladbrokes Coral are the focus of this weeks Dealcast. The outcome of a UK Government review, expected to cut earnings from FOBTs, will decide the final amount that the bidder pays. With Julie-Anna Needham, Deane McRobie and John Ward.
Jan 11, 2018•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week's podcast looks at shareholder views on the GBP 2.7bn offer for US Cinema chain Regal from Cineworld. The bidder will increase its leverage and undertake a significant rights issue to fund the deal, prompting some concern from investors. With Julie-Anna Needham and Swetha Gopinath.
Dec 14, 2017•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Find out the latest on UK competition approval for 21st Century Fox's takeover of Sky in this edition of Dealcast. Shareholder activism is on the rise across Europe. We hear from a Swiss activist shareholder about his approach. With Julie-Anna Needham, Samantha Tomaszczyk and William Mace
Nov 30, 2017•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dealcast is a fortnightly podcast from the Dealreporter and Activistmonitor teams covering M&A, ECM and activism. The bidding war for Abertis is examined in this weeks podcast, with the merits of rival offers from Hochtief and Atlantia considered. Whilst the Spanish regulator reviews Hochtiefs bid could Atlantia return with a higher offer? The future of Oxo and Mr Kipling maker Premier Foods is also assessed. With two activist investors, attention has shifted to operational performance follo...
Nov 16, 2017•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dealcast is a fortnightly podcast from the Dealreporter and Activistmonitor teams covering M&A, ECM and activism. The Italian market is put under the microscope in this week's podcast. Dealreporter's Giulia Lasgni tells Julie-Anna Needham that improved sentiment is helping deal and ECM activity. Deane McRobie explains what is slowing down Creat Group's acquisition of Biotest. The US foreign investment committee CFIUS is taking a close look but why has its remit expanded?...
Nov 02, 2017•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Dealreporter team looks at the Monsanto/Bayer merger reviews in the US and Europe. With Julie-Anna Needham, Francesca Micheletti and Joseph Tipograph
Oct 06, 2017•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dealcast is a fortnightly podcast from the Dealreporter and Activistmonitor teams covering M&A, ECM and activism. In this edition, the team discuss regulatory approval for the NXP and Qualcomm deal, and future options for Fiat Chrysler. With Julie-Anna Needham, Samantha Tomaszczyk and Deane McRobie.
Sep 08, 2017•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Barclays potential separation of its investment bank and shareholder activism in Europe are discussed by the Dealreporter and Activistmonitor team
Jul 28, 2017•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dealcast: The Dealreporter team discuss Vantiv's bid for Worldpay and ECM activity in Europe, including Deutsche Bank, Allied Irish Bank, Santander, Delivery Hero, Just Eat and Saudi Aramco. With Julie-Anna Needham, Samantha Tomaszczyk and John West
Jul 13, 2017•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
