Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Changes ahead?

Changes ahead?

There is lots of corporate activity to read about this week - 'inactivity' however in the case of the Competition Tribunal declining the purchase of 84% of Moresport shares by Massmart. The verdict surprised me but I am convinced that Massmart will oppose the decision.

There are rumblings in the Shoprite camp, with terms like "De-listing" and "BEE" being bandied about. If a delisting is on the cards then it’s probably going to be a fairly expensive one with the share price having risen by 28% in the last year. Christo Wiese masterminded the "favourable" Pepcor delisting - perhaps he has a similar vision for Shoprite. If not, perhaps we will have an empowered retailer in the near future.

Craig Ballantyne
craig@fastmoving.co.za

Please feel free to make comments or raise new issues by emailing the editor
editor@fastmoving.co.za

NEWSBYTES

How does BEE impact competitiveness?
Broad based BEE legislation has had a significant effect on corporate South Africa since its 2003 promulgation. Hundreds of deals, some valued in the billions of Rands have been struck in the intervening years, and BEE compliance has become a set standard for business in this country. However, just what effect has this relatively new condition for business had on small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa?
Read more.

A first for retail investors
For the first time, South Africa retail investors will be able to invest directly - and at a low cost - into JSE-listed shares without having to buy unit trusts, share schemes or other forms of collective investments.
Read more.

Shoprite shares jump 8%
Shoprite's shares shot up 7.95% to an all-time high of R23.75 on Wednesday after unspecified talks within the company. Although there were no official announcements as to the nature of the talks, it has been suggested that the company may either be putting together a BEE deal, or considering delisting the company.
Read more.

Massmart and Moresport merger declined
The Competition Tribunal on Monday last week declined the merger between Massmart and Moresport where Massmart attempted to purchase 84% of the shares in Moresport from Nedbank. Moresport operates Sportsmans Warehouse, Outdoor Warehouse and Sport Shoe World.
Read more.

New team for Clicks board

The New Clicks Holdings board has appointed chief executive David Kneale, chief financial officer Keith Warburton and Clicks stores managing director Michael Harvey as executive directors. This formalised the appointment of the health and beauty retailer's new three-person executive team.
Read more.

No comments: