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Financial Times deal battle 'went down to the wire' | Financial Times deal battle 'went down to the wire' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A bidding war for the Financial Times saw a last minute battle between Germany's Axel Springer and eventual winner, Japan's Nikkei, the FT reports. | A bidding war for the Financial Times saw a last minute battle between Germany's Axel Springer and eventual winner, Japan's Nikkei, the FT reports. |
The Japanese media giant managed to trump Axel Springer with an "eleventh hour bid", the FT said. | The Japanese media giant managed to trump Axel Springer with an "eleventh hour bid", the FT said. |
Meanwhile FT publisher Pearson reported a first half loss of £115m compared with £36m a year earlier. | Meanwhile FT publisher Pearson reported a first half loss of £115m compared with £36m a year earlier. |
Pearson blamed a £70m balance sheet write down related to selling its US PowerSchool business. | Pearson blamed a £70m balance sheet write down related to selling its US PowerSchool business. |
Its shares closed down 0.6% at £12.26 despite increasing the dividend. | |
10 minutes to go | 10 minutes to go |
Axel Springer had wooed Pearson for a long time to be in a position to make an offer for the FT, whereas Nikkei only began its courtship five weeks ago, the FT said. | Axel Springer had wooed Pearson for a long time to be in a position to make an offer for the FT, whereas Nikkei only began its courtship five weeks ago, the FT said. |
In a dramatic last minute flurry, Nikkei managed to clinch the deal in the final 10 minutes of discussions, it added. | In a dramatic last minute flurry, Nikkei managed to clinch the deal in the final 10 minutes of discussions, it added. |
Nikkei - an abbreviation of "Nihon Keizai Shinbun" which means "Japanese Economic Newspaper" - is a widely respected Japanese business publication. | Nikkei - an abbreviation of "Nihon Keizai Shinbun" which means "Japanese Economic Newspaper" - is a widely respected Japanese business publication. |
The broadsheet dominates Japanese-language business media with 3.16-million paid subscribers, of which 430,000 are online. | The broadsheet dominates Japanese-language business media with 3.16-million paid subscribers, of which 430,000 are online. |
The Japanese newspaper had been trying to break into English-speaking international markets for decades, but had not enjoyed wide success outside of Japan. | The Japanese newspaper had been trying to break into English-speaking international markets for decades, but had not enjoyed wide success outside of Japan. |
Publishing group Pearson announced on Thursday that it had agreed to sell the Financial Times Group to Nikkei for £844m. | Publishing group Pearson announced on Thursday that it had agreed to sell the Financial Times Group to Nikkei for £844m. |
Analysis: Rory Cellan-Jones, Technology editor | Analysis: Rory Cellan-Jones, Technology editor |
Financial Times journalists seem somewhat shell-shocked by yesterday's turn of events, but relieved to be told by their leaders that the new owners are committed to editorial independence and to growing the business. | Financial Times journalists seem somewhat shell-shocked by yesterday's turn of events, but relieved to be told by their leaders that the new owners are committed to editorial independence and to growing the business. |
As a former editor Richard Lambert told the BBC, having paid such a high price, Nikkei would be crazy to do anything to damage the newspaper. | As a former editor Richard Lambert told the BBC, having paid such a high price, Nikkei would be crazy to do anything to damage the newspaper. |
He also praised Pearson for having been a model owner, although there have been whispers from some at the Financial Times that its parent never invested quite enough in growth. | He also praised Pearson for having been a model owner, although there have been whispers from some at the Financial Times that its parent never invested quite enough in growth. |
It has decided that its future lies in education and the FT will grow faster in the hands of a wealthy and focused new owner. | It has decided that its future lies in education and the FT will grow faster in the hands of a wealthy and focused new owner. |
The short-term gain may have pleased its shareholders, but yet again a UK company has decided to sell up rather than build a global digital business. | The short-term gain may have pleased its shareholders, but yet again a UK company has decided to sell up rather than build a global digital business. |
Read Rory's full blog here | Read Rory's full blog here |
FT's new owner Nikkei eyes digital success | FT's new owner Nikkei eyes digital success |
How the Financial Times has rolled with the times | How the Financial Times has rolled with the times |