A cheeky website about deals, dealmakers and anything else I find interesting. Edited by Ben Harrington. If you have a tip, want to discuss a story or have a subscription enquiry please feel free to email Betaville at [email protected]. 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.

Betaville Intelligence

RARE ALERT: Avacta Group said to be working on £7 million equity fundraising

Friday, 18 October 2019, 8:48 am

Avacta Group, the Aim-listed biotechnology company, is close to announcing a multi-million pound equity fundraising.

Sources familiar with the matter said Avacta is tapping up investors for up to £7 million, possibly via a placing.

It's believed Avacta is looking to raise the new capital at around 15p a share, said sources familiar with the matter...

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Griffiths builds big stake in Telit Communications...

Thursday, 17 October 2019, 8:36 am

Is the end game for colourful Telit Communications fast approaching?

Well, there has been talk about interest in a combination with Canada's Sierra Wireless for the last twelve months but so far no formal confirmation has emerged.

Meanwhile, Telit's shareholder register becomes increasingly eclectic, with Richard Griffiths recently declaring he now has a stake of 7.5pc in the "Internet of Things" chip company. Below is the link:..

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A 500 percenter...

Monday, 14 October 2019, 11:15 pm

It's not often you see a share price leap 500pc in a day on heavy volume - even on London's junior market.

But NF Energy Saving Corp - a Nasdaq-listed Chinese designer of "energy efficient systems" for thermal and nuclear power plants - has just leapt 508pc to $9.

Earlier today NF Energy Saving Corp announced the completion of the acquisition of Boqi Zhengji Pharmacy Chain Co, which has more than 300 pharmacy stores in China...

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Betaville Intelligence

UNCOOKED ALERT: RIB Software said to ...

Friday, 11 October 2019, 4:25 pm

RIB Software, the German software company, is at the centre of vague takeover speculation.

People following the situation said they have heard rumours a mystery buyer is eyeing RIB Software and may be willing to pay as much as EURO 25 a share.

However, the identity of the potential purchaser remains unclear.

To be clear, the above story is UNCOOKED. In case you don't remember I have pasted the definition of UNCOOKED below:..

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Betaville Intelligence

RARE ALERT: GYG said to ...

Thursday, 10 October 2019, 3:17 pm

It's been a while since I had a story about beleguered fund manager Neil Woodford but one has just come in now from a loyal reader.

People familiar with the matter said Woodford has just sold his 20pc shareholding in GYG, the company that specialises in painting, supplying and looking after super yachts.

These people said Woodford has sold his entire stake in GYG at 40p a share following two weeks of tough talks with potential buyers...

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Tags: GYG
Betaville Intelligence

RARE ALERT: Inmarsat said to ... - Part 4

Thursday, 10 October 2019, 10:56 am

Yesterday Nicky Morgan - the culture secretary - declared she is minded to approve Apax and Waburg Pincus's £2.7 billion takeover of Inmarsat.

Now, that actually dissapointed some punters, who were rather hoping the regulatory authorities would carry out a more in depth investigation into the buy-out...

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Tags: Inmarsat

Why is Moelis & Co the sole adviser to the Hong Kong exchange on its £32 billion bid for the LSE? - Part 5

Wednesday, 9 October 2019, 6:21 pm

Alistair Osborne's analysis of Hong Kong's failed attempt to buy the London Stock Exchange in The Times is probably the best of lot from today's coverage in the national newspapers. Betaville particuarly enjoyed the pay off from Alistair, a former colleague and wind up merchant.

"Mr Li’s stock exchange adventure was almost as surreal as his book."..

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Why is Moelis & Co the sole adviser to the Hong Kong exchange on its £32 billion bid for the LSE? - Part 4

Tuesday, 8 October 2019, 7:32 am

The Hong Kong exchange did manage to drum up some other advisers alongside Moelis to join its bid for London Stock Exchange (HSBC and UBS) but in the end it was too late. Yes, this morning the Asian exchange said it is pulling out - quelle surprise. Below is the link to the company's statement:..

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Betaville Intelligence

RARE ALERT: SIG PLC said to ... - Part 3

Monday, 7 October 2019, 7:36 pm

So, it would appear Betaville's RARE sources were barking up the right tree several weeks ago when they highlighted that SIG had hired Lazard to find a buyer for its handling division.

Today, FTSE 250-listed SIG announced the sale of the business to France Air for just under £200 million. Below is the link:..

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Tags: SIG

The resigners... - Part 3

Friday, 4 October 2019, 7:32 am

Betaville counts five this week. That's five bosses of Britain's top companies that have announced their departures or resginations, including this morning's news about the retirement of Bob Dudley, chief executive of FTSE 100-listed giant BP.

Below is the link:..

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Tags: BP, Bob Dudley

[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].