UBM and Informa end 3bn merger talks

Talks between publishing groups United Business Media and Informa over a 3bn merger have ended without agreement, while Informa has received a takeover bid from private equity. A group led by Providence Equity is understood to have made the approach with a consortium including private equity company Carlyle.

Talks between publishing groups United Business Media and Informa over a £3bn merger have ended without agreement, while Informa has received a takeover bid from private equity. A group led by Providence Equity is understood to have made the approach with a consortium including private equity company Carlyle.

Informa has confired that talks over a possible merger with UBM have collapsed but another aproach had been made. UBM approached the company regarding a “possible all-share merger” on June 8.

Informa says the discussions remained at a “very preliminary” stage and that “no agreement on terms” had been reached. It says that the further takeover approach “may or may not” lead to a takeover offer in cash being made to the company.

The Informa board says in a statement that “a further announcement will be made in due course” and that trading continues “in line with expectations”.