Goodbody Stockbrokers will consider options including a potential management-led buyout, payment of a special dividend or a minority stake sale after a second attempt to sell the firm collapsed a week ago, the Irish Independent understands. Both Goodbody and Fexco declined to comment. A liquidity event could allow the business to return cash to shareholders including Fexco and around 100 senior Goodbody staff who own the other 49pc stake. Staff took the unusual step of not taking bonuses last year while the Bank of China deal was in the works. While paying out cash in a dividend might help retain and motivate staff it would not address the issues that prompted the broker's sale in the first place.

Source: Irish Independent July 18, 2020 01:30 UTC