Qataris and Blighty

Wow - the Qataris really have got an affinity for old Blighty!

Qatar Airways has just said it has bought a 9.9pc stake in our very own British Airways, also known as IAG.

Back on Tip TV talking about BHS, Aer Lingus and Quindell

It's a Monday, so I was invited back onto Tip TV to talk about the weekend's deal stories and other bits and pieces.

Here is a link to today's clip: http://www.tiptv.co.uk/archives/talk-on-phillip-greens-plans-iag-and-quindell/

Another day, another Aer Lingus article

Bloomberg is really boosting its coverage of the Aer Lingus takeover situation. The newswire has just pumped out another article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-13/ryanair-keen-to-sell-aer-lingus-stake-as-iag-considers-fresh-bid.html

Curious

Bloomberg is today reporting that IAG is planning to raise its EURO 1.3 billion offer for Aer Lingus to EURO 2.50 a share. Here is a link to the story: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-12/british-airways-owner-iag-said-to-plan-higher-bid-for-aer-lingus.html

That's rather curious as I am sure I wrote late last week that IAG advisers have indicated the owner of British Airways is willing to offer between EURO 2.70 and EURO 2.85 to the Aer Lingus board.

A sort of weekend newspaper review

The biggest deal of the weekend never made it into any of the Sunday papers - Shire's $5.2 billion acquisition of US biopharmaceutical company NPS.

I dropped a big hint when I was working at The Sunday Times late last year that Shire was going to hit the acquisition trail and look at NPS again after AbbVie botched its merger deal. Here is a link to that piece: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Companies/article1472664.ece

Back on Tip TV talking about Aer Lingus, Quindell and DJI Holdings

It was great to be invited back onto Tip TV this morning and catch up Nick "The Moose" Batsford. Here is a link to today's clip: http://www.tiptv.co.uk/archives/2014-review-and-a-peek-at-some-upcoming-ma/

RARE alert: British Airways owner said to have raised indicative offer for Aer Lingus again, and again

Looking over this morning's coverage of yesterday's trading update from Aer Lingus it struck that little has been made of the shenanigans going on between the Irish carrier and its stalker IAG.

I hear from sources that since I published my first bit of RARE a week ago, IAG (or rather advisers to the owner of British Airways) have been going backwards and forwards with a variety raised indicative offers for Aer Lingus.

RARE alert: British Airways owner said to have submitted raised Aer Lingus approach - part 3

For those readers following the IAG/Aer Lingus situation, there was more information in this morning's FT Alphaville markets live session. In case you missed it, here is a link:

http://ftalphaville.ft.com/marketslive/2015-01-06/

RARE alert: British Airways owner said to have submitted raised Aer Lingus approach - part 2

I see the Irish Independent is reporting that British Airways owner IAG has submitted a raised indicative offer for Aer Lingus, pitched at between EURO 2.40 a share and EURO 2.60 a share. Here is a link to the Irish Independent's piece: http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/aer-lingus-shares-rise-on-talk-of-renewed-iag-bid-30878537.html

I wonder what prompted the newspaper to write that story?

RARE alert: British Airways owner said to have submitted raised Aer Lingus approach

It's the new year, so I have decided to introduce a new concept to little old Betaville. It's called the "RARE" alert. The boys over at FT Alphaville have got their "RAW", so I am going to have my "RARE".

Readers might ask what is "RARE"? Well, it's market gossip that hasn't been tested through formal journalistic channels (public relations executives, bankers etc). The rumour might be total codswallop but then again there may be something in it, so it's worth airing on Betaville.

It's cheeky bid time

The boys over at FT Alphaville might have knocked off until the New Year but don't worry, little old Betaville will keep on going until 2015.

First, let's address this rather cheeky bid from for Afren from Seplat, which I have to admit I had never heard of until this morning.

Another FT deal scoop

The Financial Times is really on fire at the moment. Following yesterday's scoop about a takeover bid for Lloyd's of London insurer Catlin the venerable newspaper this afternoon broke the story about the owner of British Airways considering a 1.1 billion Euro offer for Aer Lingus. Here is a link to that piece:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/c6fa70fe-86c1-11e4-8a51-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2Fc6fa70fe-86c1-11e4-8a51-00144feabdc0.html%3Fsiteedition%3Duk&siteedition=uk&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fhome%2Fuk#axzz3Ltzlu99D