Reuters - Deals Today

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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Streaming music market picks up tempo ahead of Spotify IPO

LONDON (Reuters) - Subscription music leader Spotify is set to capitalize next year on the rude health of the industry with a stock market flotation, even as competitors race to find fresh ways to outflank it by catering to often fickle consumer tastes.

Hedge fund Knight Vinke lifts stake in M&A target Uniper

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Hedge Fund firm Knight Vinke has increased its holding in Germany's Uniper to 5.02 percent, adding it would not tender that stake to Finland's Fortum as part of a 8.05 billion euro ($9.5 billion) takeover offer.

Blackstone buys Taliesin Property Fund in 260 million euro deal

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. investment firm Blackstone said on Wednesday it had clinched an all cash deal to buy real estate specialist Taliesin Property Fund in its latest push into European real estate.

Elliott takes 5.6 percent stake in Swiss duty-free retailer Dufry

(Reuters) - Activist hedge fund firm Elliott Management has taken a 5.6 percent stake in Swiss duty-free retailer Dufry AG , a regulatory filing showed on Wednesday.

Italy's Campari adds premium cognac brand Bisquit to its portfolio

MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's Campari signed an agreement to buy cognac brand Bisquit from South Africa's Distell group in a move aimed at further broadening its premium spirit portfolio.

Niki hangs on to slots for now as potential bidders line up

VIENNA (Reuters) - Air Berlin's unit Niki can keep its valuable runway slots while Austria's Transport Ministry examines its insolvency filing, the airspace regulator said amid growing interest in the carrier from potential bidders.

UBS sees good year for Swiss IPOs in 2018

ZURICH (Reuters) - UBS expects a good year for Swiss initial public offerings in 2018 as a mixture of large and small deals hits the market, a senior executive at Switzerland's biggest bank told Reuters.

Oi creditors approve largest-ever Latin American restructuring

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Creditors in Brazilian telecoms company Oi SA approved early on Wednesday morning a plan to restructure $20 billion in debt owed by the firm, overcoming the main hurdle in Latin America's largest-ever bankruptcy process.

Tesco strengthens grip on UK food market with Booker clearance

LONDON (Reuters) - Tesco , Britain's largest retailer, tightened its hold on the nation's food market on Wednesday when the competition regulator gave final approval for its 3.7 billion pound ($4.95 billion) takeover of wholesaler Booker .

Japan Display in talks over $1.8 billion-plus investment from China firms: Kyodo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Cash-strapped Japan Display Inc is discussing an investment of more than 200 billion yen ($1.8 billion) from three Chinese panel makers including BOE Technology Group Co , Kyodo News reported.