26.03.2015 - Hutch agrees to buy O2, talks to SWFs
Li Ka-shing-controlled Hutchison Whampoa has agreed to pay up to £10.25 billion ($15.2 billion) for UK mobile phone firm O2. The deal announced on Wednesday with Spanish parent Telefonica will create the UK's biggest mobile operator, once O2 is merged with Hutchison 3G UK, and marks Hutchison Whampoa's largest acquisition ever, as Hong Kong's richest man Li doubles down on investments in Europe. Hutchison Whampoa has not revealed any details of who the potential investors might be but, according to a source familiar with the matter, the company is in discussions with investors including sovereign wealth funds and private equity firms. There are a series of discussions going on with investors and a preference for sovereign wealth and pension funds. According to reports, Singapore's GIC, Canadian pension funds, and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund are among those that are in talks with Hutchison Whampoa...............................................Full Article: Source
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