Potential acquisition of IDS Plc by EP Group – Takeover timetable resumes and acceptance deadlines announced

[robking]

Is the number of accepted shares updated online as the process proceeds from the 33k shown earlier?

Yes, acceptance levels are published regularly and are available on IDS's page on the London Stock Exchange website the latest figure as of 7/4/25 was 33.63%. note this figure is the total percentage of the shares in issue that the bidder can count on, it includes all the shares that they have acquired themselves as well as those held by those who have already accepted the bid.

The date for acceptance given is 30th of April which can be extended, large institutional shareholders tend to wait until just before the date in case something extraordinary happens, failing that, this bid is all but certain to certain go though.

The first key figure is 50% then the bidder has control, the bid will be declared unconditional and the money will be paid out to those who accepted before the date, the next key figures are 75% when the shares can be delisted from the stock market and 95% when they can apply for a court ruling to compulsorily purchase the remaining minority shareholders shares, these milestones will occur very quickly once the bid goes unconditional.

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/new ... e/16976560

[Deadly]

Thank you

[Jefferson Starfish]

I thought it became unconditional when they've got 75%?

[RuralVan]

Whats the crack here then? sell or keep?? i have 846 'free' shares still but I'm out the loop now having left RM in late 2023.

You can wait a week.
Kretinskyy could yet find he’s not getting sufficient acceptances. There’s a slim chance he may have to increase the offer.

Can anyone answer me this question.

If you accept DK's offer and then say a week later he ups his offer. Will he get to buy your shares at the original asking price or would you get the higher offer price for your shares?

[posted]

The first key figure is 50% then the bidder has control, the bid will be declared unconditional and the money will be paid out to those who accepted before the date, the next key figures are 75% when the shares can be delisted from the stock market and 95% when they can apply for a court ruling to compulsorily purchase the remaining minority shareholders shares, these milestones will occur very quickly once the bid goes unconditional.

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/new ... e/16976560

Where are you getting that info from? potentially incorrect info - if i've understood what you're saying.

Nothing happens at 50%. No shares are sold/traded beyond normal behaviour on market. He doesn't have a controlling stake. All that happens is that 50% of listed shares have accepted offer. He might still own 35%, he doesn't have overall control.

Can anyone answer me this question.

If you accept DK's offer and then say a week later he ups his offer. Will he get to buy your shares at the original asking price or would you get the higher offer price for your shares?

If you accept the offer, you are accepting the offer as whatever is in force when it goes unconditional (75% vote threshold).
So say he's achieved 75% or is teetering close to it, then he's unlikely to increase his offer. If it breaches 75% then you get the same as everybody else

If you have already accepted, but for example he's struggling to get 75% or the final date is closing in (or he's just feeling very generous!!) and he ups the offer to say £4 then that forms part of the existing offer for consideration. That would entice more people, it passes the 75% vote threshold and we all get £4.

It may be that the £4 is made up share price and/or dividends or other share rights in his then private company.

[the beautiful bd south]

Is the number of accepted shares updated online as the process proceeds from the 33k shown earlier?

Yes, acceptance levels are published regularly and are available on IDS's page on the London Stock Exchange website the latest figure as of 7/4/25 was 33.63%. note this figure is the total percentage of the shares in issue that the bidder can count on, it includes all the shares that they have acquired themselves as well as those held by those who have already accepted the bid.

The date for acceptance given is 30th of April which can be extended, large institutional shareholders tend to wait until just before the date in case something extraordinary happens, failing that, this bid is all but certain to certain go though.

The first key figure is 50% then the bidder has control, the bid will be declared unconditional and the money will be paid out to those who accepted before the date, the next key figures are 75% when the shares can be delisted from the stock market and 95% when they can apply for a court ruling to compulsorily purchase the remaining minority shareholders shares, these milestones will occur very quickly once the bid goes unconditional.

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/new ... e/16976560

That was the situation on 4th April 3pm
Their has been no update on the figure since.

[RuralVan]

Thanks posted.

[Ady128]

Whats the crack here then? sell or keep?? i have 846 'free' shares still but I'm out the loop now having left RM in late 2023.

You can wait a week.
Kretinskyy could yet find he’s not getting sufficient acceptances. There’s a slim chance he may have to increase the offer.

Can anyone answer me this question.

If you accept DK's offer and then say a week later he ups his offer. Will he get to buy your shares at the original asking price or would you get the higher offer price for your shares?

I’m fairly sure you get the higher offer. Look at the chat site on lse.co.uk

[wandle]

All shareholders receive the same price. A bidder has only until Day 46 to increase their offer*, as they must give shareholders a minimum of 14 days to consider the revised terms.
When the clock restarted, that was Day 28.
So if there is to be an increase, he hasn’t got long to do it.

e8d0969f-d030-4258-88aa-24836f418a9e.jpeg

*unless a most unlikely thing happens; a rival bidder makes an offer

[Ady128]

The latest acceptance figure as at 11th April is 35.15%.

[robking]

The latest acceptance figure as at 11th April is 35.15%.

It's actually only 7.59% they already own 27.56% but don't read too much into it, the big institutional shareholders such as pension funds, banks and Insurance companies always wait until just before the deadlines.
the market price is still below the offer price and there are no reports of any large shareholder planning to withhold acceptance.

[RobertT]

The latest acceptance figure as at 11th April is 35.15%.

It's actually only 7.59% they already own 27.56% but don't read too much into it, the big institutional shareholders such as pension funds, banks and Insurance companies always wait until just before the deadlines.
the market price is still below the offer price and there are no reports of any large shareholder planning to withhold acceptance.

I wonder what Morgan Stanley are up to - they've steadily been increasing their holding over the last few months and now hold around 8.5% of shares.

Are they trying to ensure the takeover happens?
Or trying to scupper the deal?
Wanting a long term stake and say in how the company is run?
Hoping for a higher offer?
A quick easy profit?
Something else?

[GRS]

The latest acceptance figure as at 11th April is 35.15%.

It's actually only 7.59% they already own 27.56% but don't read too much into it, the big institutional shareholders such as pension funds, banks and Insurance companies always wait until just before the deadlines.
the market price is still below the offer price and there are no reports of any large shareholder planning to withhold acceptance.

I wonder what Morgan Stanley are up to - they've steadily been increasing their holding over the last few months and now hold around 8.5% of shares.

Are they trying to ensure the takeover happens?
Or trying to scupper the deal?
Wanting a long term stake and say in how the company is run?
Hoping for a higher offer?
A quick easy profit?
Something else?

What’s your gut feeling on that one Robert?

[RobertT]

The latest acceptance figure as at 11th April is 35.15%.

It's actually only 7.59% they already own 27.56% but don't read too much into it, the big institutional shareholders such as pension funds, banks and Insurance companies always wait until just before the deadlines.
the market price is still below the offer price and there are no reports of any large shareholder planning to withhold acceptance.

I wonder what Morgan Stanley are up to - they've steadily been increasing their holding over the last few months and now hold around 8.5% of shares.

Are they trying to ensure the takeover happens?
Or trying to scupper the deal?
Wanting a long term stake and say in how the company is run?
Hoping for a higher offer?
A quick easy profit?
Something else?

What’s your gut feeling on that one Robert?

Personally I think it might be the third option.

[britwrit]

If they're thinking about the long term, it must be pretty long term?

An economic downturn is coming and we're a company that depends a lot on people buying stuff they don't need over the internet. Not a great combo.