Private equity finds soft takeover targets in London – yet again | Nils Pratley
News Source
•Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:11:31 GMT
📰 What Happened
Dublin-based DCC Energy, a FTSE 100 company, has agreed to a £5.75bn takeover by private equity firms KKR and Energy Capital Partners. Some shareholders, including Fidelity and Aviva, opposed the deal, saying the price was too low. But the board accepted the offer anyway. This is the fifth takeover of a FTSE 100 company this year, and it is only July. DCC's founder also opposed the deal. The company had a strategy to double its profits by 2030 by focusing on energy operations and clean energy services.
🔍 The Backstory
Private equity firms buy companies, often taking them private, and try to improve their profits before selling them. London has seen a wave of takeovers in recent years. Critics say British companies are being sold too cheaply. DCC Energy is a big player in petrol stations and liquid gas distribution across Europe. It also has a growing clean energy division that installs solar panels. The company was in the middle of an eight-year growth plan. Some investors think the buyout price of £65.25 per share does not reflect the company's true value.
🎯 Why It Matters
When UK companies are taken over by private equity, jobs and decision-making can move overseas. It also means fewer investment options for regular people who own shares.
Dublin-based DCC Energy, a FTSE 100 company, has agreed to a £5.75bn takeover by private equity firms KKR and Energy Capital Partners. Some shareholders, including Fidelity and Aviva, opposed the deal, saying the price was too low. But the board accepted the offer anyway. This is the fifth takeover of a FTSE 100 company this year, and it is only July. DCC's founder also opposed the deal. The company had a strategy to double its profits by 2030 by focusing on energy operations and clean energy services.
Private equity firms buy companies, often taking them private, and try to improve their profits before selling them. London has seen a wave of takeovers in recent years. Critics say British companies are being sold too cheaply. DCC Energy is a big player in petrol stations and liquid gas distribution across Europe. It also has a growing clean energy division that installs solar panels. The company was in the middle of an eight-year growth plan. Some investors think the buyout price of £65.25 per share does not reflect the company's true value.
When UK companies are taken over by private equity, jobs and decision-making can move overseas. It also means fewer investment options for regular people who own shares.