Private equity group Candover is reportedly considering making an approach for information services provider Informa, UK. According to media reports, Informa is in merger talks with United Business Media.
A bid from Candover, the co-owner of German publishing group Springer Science + Business Media, will most likely be made alongside Cinven, its partner in Springer. Informa had turned down an offer from Springer at 630p a share in 2006. While there have been concerns that Informa's debt levels could make a private equity bid difficult, industry observers have opined that a merger of Informa and Springer would create obvious cost synergies.
While Cinven was not available for comment, Informa confirmed speculation that it had been approached by the publishing group about an all-share merger that would create one of the largest FTSE 100 media stocks. Other private equity groups that have been circling Informa in recent weeks include Carlyle and Apax.
