Splashed across the front page of FT.com is a scoop about how LVMH and Tiffany are conducting off the record talks about a lower take out price for the jewellery group to avoid a court showdown. Below is the link:
https://www.ft.com/content/1fd7decd-5a99-467a-bf01-3c9a58c99426..
Many today's business section front pages lead with the (potential) collapse of LVMH's $16 billion bid for upmarket jeweller Tiffany.
But back in mid March the highly respected former WSJ hack and Fox Business reporter Charlie Gasparino flagged that some investors were positioning themselves for the possibility of the deal falling over or at the very least price renegotiation by wily Bernie Arnault. Click on the link below to remind yourself of that piece:..
Tiffany's shares slumped almost 10pc overnight amid a talk LVMH is getting cold feet again about the $16 billion takeover.
This time, though, it's not Gasparino but Women's Wear Daily stoking concerns with a report claiming LVMH's board members are to hold/held a meeting to discuss whether the company should back out of the deal. Below is a link to the WWD scoop:..
The mystery surrounding LVMH's intentions to buy Tiffany for $16 billion continues.
This morning LVMH has issued a statement that it is "currently committed" to NOT buy shares in Tiffany. Below is a link:
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/03/23/2004503/0/en/LVMH-Press-Release.html..
So, Tiffany's shares leapt almost 14pc last night to $126 after Bloomberg reported LVMH is looking at ways to take advantage of the discount to its £$135 offer price by buying stock in the market. Below is the link to the Bloomie scoop:..
Wow: Tiffany is down almost 10pc, trading around $115 a share.
That's quite a discount to LVMH's $135 / $16 billion cash offer price. I guess Gasparino was barking up the right tree on Friday with his note about punters placing bets on the deal falling through - although I'm not quite sure how that would work in practicality...