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A cheeky website about deals, dealmakers and anything else I find interesting. Edited by Ben Harrington. If you have a tip or want to discuss a story please feel free to email Betaville at ben@betaville.co.uk. Betaville can also be reached at Whats App, Signal or Telegram. Betaville's Twitter handle is @bharringtonw11 and you can message me via Twitter with stories.

Ouch!

Monday, 4 August 2014, 5:30 pm

Things are going from bad to worse at Bank of America Merrill Lynch's European investment banking team...

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BAT sits on the sidelines...for now

Thursday, 31 July 2014, 7:05 pm

Looking over this morning's coverage of British American Tobacco's recent figures, I see a couple of newspaper reporters tried to tempt Nicandro Durante, CEO of BAT, into spilling the beans about whether the tobacco giant has any plans to consolidate its position in the US...

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O3b internet spat

Tuesday, 29 July 2014, 6:49 pm

As chief executives, entrepreneurs and City dealmakers slope off to the Mediterranean for August
(islands off the Italian coast appear to be particularly in vogue at the moment), I am going to look at a few more "off-beat" stories. ..

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Bear hug

Saturday, 26 July 2014, 3:43 am

Quelle surprise - another Bank of America Merrill Lynch bear hug has fallen over.

This year the Wall Street investment bank has advised several companies trying to buy rival businesses using a "bear hug", an aggressive tactic used in M&A to force the the target company to the negotiating table by making an indicative offer public.

..

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Laughing stock

Wednesday, 23 July 2014, 8:50 pm

It looks like Pepsi's long-only shareholders are really piling the pressure on the company to give Nelson Peltz seats on the consumer giant's board...

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Surprise

Tuesday, 22 July 2014, 9:22 pm

I see Apple chip maker Dialog Semiconductor and AMS have called off their SFr4 billion merger...

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Bitter Sweet(t) moment for WSP

Tuesday, 15 July 2014, 3:40 am

I bet property consultant WSP is feeling rather relieved that it didn't press ahead with the purchase of Sweett Group at the beginning of the year.

For readers that don't recall, I had a story that WSP - which is owned by Canada-based Genivar Inc - was on the verge of buying Sweett Group in early January but pulled out of the deal around the time the Aim-listed business made this announcement:
..

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Something afoot with Boots

Wednesday, 9 July 2014, 1:32 am

I have been in two minds about publishing this piece but I have now run into a bit of a brick wall, so I have decided I may as well go with what I know.

Last week a good source hinted to me that there may be something untoward going on with Alliance Boots's debt.

Now, when I thought about this I have to admit it doesn't make a lot sense although clearly I am not in possession of all of the facts...

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SMBC rumoured to be weighing £2 billion Porterbrook takeover

Saturday, 5 July 2014, 3:44 am

Evening Betavillers - here's a little tale for you to ruminate on over the weekend.

I hear one of Japan's biggest financial institutions may be weighing a £2 billion plus takeover bid for rolling stock giant Porterbrook.

My banking sources have heard (unconfirmed) rumours that Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is keen on buying Porterbrook, which has been put up for sale by its shareholders. SMBC declined to comment...

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[Disclaimer - the information on Betaville does not consitute any form of investment recommendation and is not intended to be relied upon by readers in making, or refraining from, any investment decisions].