French Update – Activist Strategies and Defenses in France Executive Summary: Many of the fundamentals driving increased shareholder activism in the United States and elsewhere are also relevant in France. The disclosure regime under French securities law should permit companies to identify activist investors, their concert parties and their economic exposure, however, French law and … Continued
Highlights: New legislation establishes sanctions to legal entities involved in corrupt and other illegal acts. Among the sanctions are fines that range from 0,1% to 20% of the annual gross revenue and prohibition from receiving public benefits. The law provides for the strict liability of the legal entities. The liability remains in case of mergers … Continued
Highlights: A recent notification of the Securities and Exchange Board of India expressly permitted put and call options in relation to shares of public limited companies, both listed and unlisted. The Reserve Bank of India has clarified that foreign investors can have “optionality” attached to Equity Securities (defined below) so long as such option / … Continued
Highlights The newly-created Spanish “bad bank” (SAREB) has been transferred a EUR 50.8 billion pool of loans and real estate assets from Spanish credit entities that were totally or partially nationalized, as well as the legal mandate to liquidate the entire portfolio in 15 years. A legal framework has been enacted to facilitate the divestment … Continued
Executive Summary/Highlights: While total global M&A volume has been relatively consistent over the last four years, hovering around US$ 2.5 trillion per annum, the deal activity making up the $2.5 trillion has varied considerably over this period, reflecting a few trends: Private equity-backed M&A has been gaining steam steadily, growing from 6.3% of global M&A … Continued
Highlights: More than 30% of global M&A in 2013 involved acquirors and targets in different countries, including $134.5 billion of acquisitions in the U.S. by non-U.S. acquirors (a growing 15% of which involved acquirors from emerging economies). Noteworthy cross-border deals in 2013 included Verizon’s $130 billion acquisition of the remaining interest in Verizon Wireless from … Continued
Executive Summary Effective at January 30, 2014, Federal Law 423-FZ dated December 28, 2013 ends regulations requiring the subsequent notification of Russian competition authorities of corporate transactions of minor value as well as some intra-group transactions. The amendments to the merger control regulation would have a positive affect the entire Russian M&A market. Main Article … Continued
Highlights: Increased demand, high oil prices and steady production have increased sector confidence, but challenges lie ahead. Managing return on capital invested is a major issue for the industry, despite high prices and rising demand. Corporates need to keep focused on upstream core assets to increase returns. Partnerships, investment in new technology and a focus … Continued
Main Article: Private equity deal activity ebbed and flowed, often unexpectedly, in 2013. Despite some slow periods, strong debt and equity markets helped support first nine-months numbers that are well ahead of 2012, although Q4 2013 is unlikely to match Q4 2012, where activity was stimulated by anticipated changes in the tax laws. Successful sponsors … Continued
Executive Summary: The following article Unilateral Conduct: The Competition Commission of India’s Enforcement Priorities analyses the principles and trends enunciated by the Competition Commission of India (“CCI”) in the abuse of dominance cases dealt with by the CCI to date. Main Article: Introduction: Legal Framework The Competition Act, 2002 (“Act”) (as amended) is the principal … Continued
