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The parent of Taylor & Francis, Informa, is in talks to merge with UBM.
Informa’s board is in discussions with the board of UBM (United Business Media) to acquire its entire share capital “for shares and cash consideration”.
Talks between the two event business giants are in the “preliminary” stages, a statement from UBM group company secretary Mark Peters said.
“There can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made or as to the terms on which any offer might be made,” the statement added. “…Shareholders will be kept updated as appropriate.”
Informa has until 5pm on 13th February 2018 to either announce a firm intention to make an offer for UBM or announce that it does not intend to do so.
It is not the first time the two businesses have considered merging. In 2008, Informa ended talks with United Business Media over a possible all-share merger.
In the first six months to July 2017, The Informa Group as a whole saw 3.7% underlying growth, 41.3% reported,to a total of £915.4m. Adjusted Operating Profit saw a 1% underlying growth and 41% reported growth, to £285.1m.
The Taylor & Francis Group meanwhile saw sales rise 11.3% year-on-year to £238.9m in the same time frame, although underlying growth was put at just 1.2%, suggesting the publisher saw a boost from foreign exchange and the weakened pound. Adjusted operating profit was up 17.3% to £85.5m - a 0.3% rise in underlying terms.
Informa is a global B2B events, business ntelligence, and academic publishing businesses. UBM is a global business events company.