Currys shares were lower on Monday after Elliott Advisors said they were withdrawing there interest in the electronics retailer.
Currys shares traded down by 7% on Monday.
In a statement released on Monday, Elliott said that “following multiple attempts to engage with Currys’ Board, all of which were rejected, it is not in an informed position to make an improved offer for Currys on the basis of the public information available to it. Elliott therefore confirms it does not intend to make an offer for Currys.”
Although Elliott Advisors has publicly said they are no longer pursuing Currys, there is still the chance the company will be taken over by another party. Currys shares are still substantially higher than where they were before Elliot’s interest was first reported suggesting some are still hopeful a deal will be done.
“The decision by Elliott Advisors to withdraw bid interest in Currys doesn’t mean the target is no longer in play. Chinese group JD has already expressed interest and Elliott’s recent approach may have put the electricals retailer on the radar of others,” said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
“There is logic in wanting to own Currys. It is the last major UK-wide seller of electricals still with a physical store presence. There are still plenty of people who like to go into a shop to get advice or technical assistance, compare products in person, and be able to collect items without having to risk a courier losing or damaging their goods during transit.”
The interest in Currys comes after the company took major steps to streamline its business and boost profitability.
“The business has been through a significant restructuring programme and is starting to see some rays of light in terms of the recovery story,” Russ Mould said.
“Elliott says Currys’ management refused to engage which at that point would normally see a bidder go hostile in their attempt to succeed with a takeover. Instead, it has just walked away which suggests that its original approach was highly opportunistic in the hope Currys could be bought on the cheap. Elliott’s statement implied it wanted more information on the group before considering a higher price but it couldn’t get the necessary details.
“Investors like Elliott typically want to pay as low a price as possible with the intention of potentially breaking up the group or driving big changes to realise hidden value in the business.