Nicolas Thomas

Ryanair: A Network Strategy That Is Paying Off

The Irish carrier's strategy, which focuses more on flight frequency than on the net opening of new routes, is allowing it to improve unit revenues and strengthen its competitive position in Europe, according to analysts at Bernstein.

July 01, 2026 at 05:10 am EDT

EasyJet: Bidding War Escalates as Rhetoric Softens

The bidding war surrounding easyJet continues to intensify. From £5.60 to £6.00 and then £6.25, the airline yesterday rejected the latest offer from the American fund at £6.50 per share. However, the tone between the two parties has notably shifted.

June 26, 2026 at 05:41 am EDT

Serial Acquirers: 3 Listed Companies Swallowing Businesses Without Choking

Any listed company can sign a check. Maintaining margins afterward and moving on to the next deal is another matter entirely. Some companies grow this way, methodically buying up their neighbors. The problem is that the line between a skilled consolidator and a compulsive buyer can be thin.

June 26, 2026 at 04:54 am EDT

EasyJet Rejects a Third Offer From Castlelake and Waits for a Better Bid

June 22, 2026 at 02:54 pm EDT

Siemens Energy Weighs a Separation of Its Industrial Division

Siemens Energy is examining the possibility of separating its Transformation of Industry division, according to an internal document cited by Manager Magazin. The business, which employs around 17,000 people and generated €5.7bn in revenue in the last fiscal year, supports industrial clients in decarbonization and energy-efficiency projects. The German group confirmed that it regularly reviews its portfolio of activities, while noting that no decision has yet been made.

June 18, 2026 at 01:17 pm EDT

Diageo Prepares a Restructuring Under Dave Lewis

Diageo's new chief executive, Dave Lewis, has launched a sweeping review of the group's costs and headcount to improve competitiveness and profitability. According to the Financial Times, he has asked members of the executive committee to set out cuts to spending and staffing, without yet specifying the scale of the job reductions being considered. An internal communication detailing the expected measures could come as soon as next week.

June 17, 2026 at 01:59 pm EDT

Stellantis Explores Partnerships to Revive Maserati

June 17, 2026 at 11:57 am EDT

Elliott Takes Stake in Bunzl and Demands Share Buybacks

The American activist fund Elliott Investment Management has acquired approximately 5% of Bunzl, becoming one of the largest shareholders in the British professional supplies distributor. This stake was favorably received by the markets, with the stock rising as much as 3.7% before maintaining a more moderate gain during the session. Bunzl is currently valued at approximately £8.23bn, and its shares have risen by about 25% since the beginning of the year.

June 15, 2026 at 10:50 am EDT

Vattenfall Selects Rolls-Royce SMR to Spearhead Sweden's Nuclear Revival

Vattenfall has selected Rolls-Royce SMR to provide a series of small modular nuclear reactors as part of its initiative to expand nuclear capacity in Sweden. The British group was chosen over American rival GE Vernova as the nation seeks to bolster energy security and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. This decision represents a significant milestone, marking Sweden's first new nuclear project in more than forty years.

June 15, 2026 at 09:34 am EDT

Frasers Group offers to buy out Hugo Boss for nearly EUR2bn

Frasers Group, the British retailer controlled by Mike Ashley, has announced an offer to buy out Hugo Boss in a deal worth approximately EUR2bn. Already the largest shareholder in the German group, Frasers is offering EUR38 cash per share for shares that it does not yet own. The offer represents a 4.3% premium over the last closing price and values Hugo Boss at nearly EUR1.978bn.

June 11, 2026 at 04:33 am EDT

Frasers Group Launches €2bn Takeover Bid for Hugo Boss

Frasers Group, the British retail powerhouse controlled by Mike Ashley, has announced a voluntary takeover bid for Hugo Boss valued at approximately €2bn. Already the largest shareholder in the German fashion house, Frasers is offering €38 per share in cash for the remaining equity it does not yet own. The offer represents a 4.3% premium over the last closing price, valuing Hugo Boss at nearly €1.978bn.

June 10, 2026 at 02:19 pm EDT

Novo Nordisk Sues South African Manufacturer Over Semaglutide Copies

Novo Nordisk has filed a lawsuit in the Pretoria High Court seeking to block iDexis, a compounding pharmacy, from manufacturing and marketing products containing semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic. The Danish pharmaceutical giant contends these products are "unregistered and untested," citing grave concerns regarding patient safety, drug quality, and regulatory compliance. The company is requesting an immediate injunction against these activities pending a final judicial ruling on the merits of the case.

June 10, 2026 at 10:04 am EDT

Mercedes-Benz threatened by U.S. bill targeting China-linked groups

Mercedes-Benz could face a ban on producing, selling, or importing new vehicles in the United States under a bipartisan bill currently being considered by Congress. Titled the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026, the legislation aims to reduce Chinese influence in the American automotive industry by targeting manufacturers whose capital includes a direct or indirect stake held by a government considered an adversary of the United States. Several experts believe that Mercedes-Benz could fall within the scope of this measure.

May 29, 2026 at 02:04 pm EDT

Indra CEO to Step Down Following Governance Tensions

Spanish defense group Indra has announced that the contract of its CEO, Jose Vicente de los Mozos, will not be renewed, coming just one month after the resignation of Chairman Angel Escribano. In a filing with the stock market regulator, the company specified that the executive will remain in his position until a successor is appointed. Indra is 28% owned by the Spanish state through the public holding company SEPI.

May 18, 2026 at 04:07 pm EDT

EQT Raises Bid One Last Time in Pursuit of Intertek Acquisition

Swedish private equity firm EQT has submitted a final takeover bid valuing Intertek at £9.4bn, or approximately $12.7bn, following the rejection of three previous proposals by the British group. Should the deal proceed, it would rank as the second-largest UK acquisition ever completed by a private equity firm. Intertek stated it is currently reviewing this fourth improved offer, as its shares rose roughly 6% on the London Stock Exchange, though they remain below the proposed offer price.

May 12, 2026 at 09:51 am EDT

TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and ConocoPhillips assess offshore project in Syria

TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and ConocoPhillips have signed an agreement with the Syrian Petroleum Company to launch a technical study on offshore Block 3, located off the coast of Latakia, Syria. This memorandum of understanding establishes a framework for discussions regarding potential commercial exploration. The initiative aligns with the new Syrian government's strategy to attract foreign investment into an energy sector severely weakened by years of civil war and international sanctions.

May 12, 2026 at 09:38 am EDT

PrimeStone ramps up pressure on Intertek following rejection of EQT bid

Activist investor PrimeStone Capital has called on Intertek's board to engage in "constructive" discussions with Swedish private equity firm EQT after the rejection of several sweetened takeover offers. In a letter published Monday, PrimeStone, which claims to hold approximately 0.5% of the British group's capital through its advised funds, argued that Intertek should grant limited data access to facilitate due diligence and adopt a more realistic stance regarding its valuation.

May 12, 2026 at 03:46 am EDT

PrimeStone Increases Pressure on Intertek Following Rejection of EQT Bid

Activist investor PrimeStone Capital has urged the board of Intertek to engage in constructive discussions with Swedish private equity firm EQT after the rejection of several sweetened takeover offers. In a letter published Monday, PrimeStone, which holds approximately 0.5% of the British group through its advised funds, argued that Intertek should grant limited data access for due diligence and adopt a more realistic stance regarding its valuation.

May 11, 2026 at 02:59 pm EDT

Commodities: Copper and lead are standing out

Copper prices were little changed on the LME on Thursday, supported by a weakening dollar, signs of robust demand in China and hopes for a de-escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran. However, the market remains cautious, pending further geopolitical news.

May 07, 2026 at 07:50 am EDT

Indices tumble as Iran reportedly fires on US vessel

May 04, 2026 at 06:31 am EDT

Universal Music to Cut Its Stake in Spotify and Step Up Share Buybacks

The music group is recalibrating its financial strategy by selling part of its holding in the streaming platform, while boosting share repurchases and maintaining its commitments to artists.

April 29, 2026 at 02:22 pm EDT