Related Articles
The value of foreign takeover bids for UK companies has risen by 79 per cent to £74billion so far this year, according to figures.
Offers targeting UK firms totalled £102billion in the first nine months of 2024, data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) revealed, with an increasing proportion coming from overseas.
The share of bids from abroad rose to 72 per cent – the highest level in three years – while the remaining 28 per cent involved domestic buyers.
Paper and packaging group DS Smith’s £7.3billion takeover by US firm International Paper is the biggest so far this year.
The figures also include the pending £4billion acquisition of Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and the £3.8billion sale of cybersecurity firm Darktrace to US private equity firm Thoma Bravo.
High stakes: Offers targeting UK firms totalled £102billion in the first nine months of 2024, data from the London Stock Exchange Group revealed
It highlights the increasing attractiveness of relatively cheap UK stocks to global investors at a time when a frenzy over the tech sector has pushed Wall Street valuations to a succession of record highs.
But the trend has also added to fears about the diminishing status of the London market as a listing venue.
Lucille Jones, senior manager at LSEG Deals Intelligence, said the surge in UK takeover activity had been ‘driven by mega deals’.
DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS
AJ Bell
AJ Bell
Easy investing and ready-made portfolios
Hargreaves Lansdown
Hargreaves Lansdown
Free fund dealing and investment ideas
interactive investor
interactive investor
Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month
Saxo
Saxo
Get £200 back in trading fees
Trading 212
Trading 212
Free dealing and no account fee
Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.
Compare the best investing account for you
