Merlin investors would receive ￡4.55 per share, a premium of 15 percent over its closing price of ￡3.95 on Thursday. The deal, which continues a run of major private equity investments in Europe, is also backed by Blackstone Group LP and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The Merlin bid is 37 percent higher than the closing price on the day before ValueAct’s letter. The bidders made four unsolicited approaches, the first of which was in May before ValueAct’s letter, he said. In addition to operating Legoland and Madame Tussauds, the company oversees attractions such as Peppa Pig World of Play and the Coca-Cola London Eye.

Source: Taipei Times June 28, 2019 15:56 UTC