Should Rupert Murdoch sell his troubled newspapers, as some shareholders want? Yes. To himself.
(more…)

Labour leader Ed Miliband is attacking financial short-termism in his quest for the high ground of responsible capitalism. But his ideas for changing takeover rules are political short-termism.
(more…)

Britain’s National Health Service used to employ more people than anyone except Wal-Mart, the American retailer, and China’s Peoples’ Liberation Army. Well, after UK spending cuts, step forward the next biggest HR department – G4S plc (LON:GFS).
(more…)

Whether it is retaliation or protectionism, Italy’s block on foreign takeovers is not attractive. And it may backfire on Italian companies trying to buy assets beyond its borders.
(more…)

Rupert Murdoch owned 100 per cent of Sky television when he launched it in 1989. Why shouldn’t he have total control now – or is he there to take the risks and be penalised when he succeeds?
(more…)

For those who regard takeover bids as a spectator sport, News Corporation’s offer for British Sky Broadcasting Group (LON:BSY) should make good viewing. Not only is Rupert Murdoch bidding for a company chaired by his son, it threatens to embarrass the partners in the new coalition government.
(more…)

Arriva Plc (LON:ARI) is a bus company, so there is no problem in it being bought by the Germans.
(more…)

No wonder ITV (LON:ITV) directors are angry with the Competition Commission. The company has a permanent seat at the competition regulator’s table, practically keeping it in business single-handed.
(more…)

Now that Kraft Foods (NYSE:KFT) has made its hostile bid for Cadbury it is worth remembering what a hostile takeover offer is. It is one that the directors reject – not necessarily one the shareholders oppose.
(more…)

What’s going on at the Competition Commission? Er, not much. If the sale of Friends Reunited hadn’t been referred there, the watchdog would have only one case on its books by the end of November 2009.
(more…)