AstraZeneca could be Britain’s next loss
AstraZeneca’s deal talks with US-headquartered Bristol Myers Squibb, which Semafor confirms remain active, would strike another blow to the UK’s effort to keep hold of its corporate champions.
AstraZeneca's ongoing merger talks with US-based Bristol Myers Squibb could deal a significant blow to Britain's efforts to retain its prominent corporations, according to Semafor. Should the merger proceed, AstraZeneca's revenue base would increasingly be concentrated in the US, potentially triggering a full relisting on the New York Stock Exchange.
This move would likely entail stringent US regulatory requirements, compelling the company to make substantial commitments to research funding, manufacturing, and employment in the US, further distancing AstraZeneca from its UK operations. In fact, six former FTSE 100 firms have already undergone a similar relisting in New York in the past five years, driven by their expanding global presence and higher stock valuations.
Conversely, those companies that remain based in the UK are prime acquisition targets, typically trading at lower multiples than their American counterparts. Recent acquisitions of FTSE 100 companies by US entities include the recent $19 billion deal between Segro and US REIT Prologis.
Written by urgent.news from Semafor's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
