Overseas predators looking towards the UK
A report by Wedlake Bell has today cast the spotlight on the UK takeover and mergers market and the influence of overseas predators. The report reveals that 44% of all corporate activity in the UK over the last two years has emanated from overseas predators with the figure actually rising to 53% in the first quarter of 2010. So why is the UK so attractive to overseas investors?
There's no doubt that one of the major issues of the moment is the low value of the UK pound on the currency markets. This has effectively given overseas predators additional firepower and additional buying power in the quest to acquire some of the UK's best assets. There is also a growing belief amongst overseas investors that the UK does in fact offer significant long-term potential for growth. It is these two factors which have created something of a dream ticket for many overseas investors who have the cash to spend and the foresight to look at new markets.
However, the downside to this is the very fact that some of the best known and most prized assets in the UK are actually up for grabs. Only recently we saw the acquisition of Cadbury by US outfit Kraft Foods in a multibillion dollar deal which attracted significant controversy and could in fact lead to a major change in UK takeover laws.
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