(News Bulletin 247) – Takeover rumors are circulating about the British group, which is causing the stock to jump.

The British clothing brand Superdry, hit by sluggish sales and whose stock market value has melted in recent years, jumped by more than 60% Friday morning in London on takeover rumors.

“Speculation about a takeover is intensifying, with the latest name being First Seagull, a Norwegian investment fund,” Richard Hunter, analyst at Interactive Investor, told AFP.

Superdry announced on Wednesday that this investment fund had taken a 5.3% stake in its capital, which fuels “expectations that an offer could be imminent”, adds Michael Hewson, analyst at CMC Markets.

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A drop of 90% over five years

The American fund Sycamore Partners but also its compatriot Authentic Brands Group (ABG), owner of Reebok, Quiksilver and the high-end British clothing chain Ted Baker, would also be in the running, according to information from The Times newspaper on Friday.

The stock soared 65.86% to 35.08 pence on Friday shortly before 11 a.m. But its progression was only 4.40% since the start of the year, after a slump in January. And over the last five years, the stock has lost more than 90% of its value.

Superdry said on Monday it was exploring “several options for significant cost reductions”, after press reports mentioning numerous closures and job cuts under study.

There is “no certainty that any of these options will come to fruition”, but Superdry “is expected to make more than £40m in savings this financial year, more than the initial target of £35m books,” added the company.

Income that drops

Superdry announced last week a turnover down by almost a quarter for its staggered first half-year ending at the end of October 2023. The group returned to a small net profit over the period, but this is mainly explained by the transfer of rights to its brand in the Asia-Pacific region.

Superdry notably announced at the beginning of October a joint venture with the Indian giant Reliance, which will take control of its brands in several countries in the region.

The brand announced at the end of December that its results would be weighed down by “a difficult retail market and an abnormally mild autumn”. Wholesale trade, for its part, suffered from its decision to stop this type of activity in the United States.

In addition, the company’s image suffered from a recent suspension of its shares after missing the publication date of its annual accounts.

(With AFP)