Shares in Imperial Brands are enjoying a little bounce today. The stock is up around 3pc because Japan Tobacco's new chief executive, Mitsuomi Koizumi, has said:
"If there is a good M&A opportunity, company will pursue regardless of size."
So, naturally speculators are putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with...well, I have pasted a note below from Exane BNP Paribas so you can see what the broker thinks...
I guess today's stock market reports in the Financial Times and The Daily Telegraph edge the flag pole alert series further forwards. In case you missed it, I have pasted a link to Bryce Elder's report in the Financial Times below:
https://www.ft.com/content/80db9440-f929-11e6-9516-2d969e0d3b65..
I realise this is a bit a late in the day but a loyal reader has got in touch with an interesting nugget from Japan Tobacco's results earlier this week.
Tucked away on page 6 of Japan Tobacco's investor presentation is an intriguing line about how is looking to "expand geographically notably through acquisitions". Here is a link to Japan Tobacco's investor presentation in case you haven't read it:..
The scribblers over at French broker Exane BNP Paribas were pushing the Japan Tobacco for Imperial Brands line hard this morning although I have still not unearthed any new facts (it's called journalism) that might substantiate their theory.
Obviously, I will let loyal readers know when I do but for the time being I have pasted Exane's note below...
The venerable Financial Times has just published this rather good read about how Japanese companies will be back on the prowl for businesses in Blighty in 2017...
It's lucky I re-started the "flag pole alert" series a few weeks ago (click on the link if you don't recall - https://www.www.betaville.co.uk/news/flag-pole-alert-the-series-returns/) as Japan Tobacco has just carried out some organisational changes and that has got a few of Betaville's Imperial Tobacco watchers a bit hot under the collar...
Apparently, Japan Tobacco are in London town this week for a "presentation". This has set a few tongues wagging. However, from what I understand the Japanese ciggie giant is here to talk to investors i.e. they are in town for an investor roadshow.
Still, I'm re-introducing Betaville's flag pole series in case there is more to it. For readers who don't recall, I have pasted a few links of past flag pole stories...