EMI Sale Action Heats Up. Could WMG Still Be A Player?

According to the London Sunday Times PERMIRA, the private-equity group is still trying finish a deal
to acquire EMI. There are no guarantees they will succeed and a number of EMI
investors are reportedly holding out for more than 350p offered per share. Friday’s
closing price was 296p.

A Dubai-based investor is also watching the action
closely according to the Times and the New York
Post claims that WMG is also considering jumping in again. It’s hard to imagine EMI shareholders welcoming a bid from WMG given the unresolved EU approval of the similar Sony BMG merger, Friday’s announcement of a new EU probe into the proposed Universal buyout of BMG Publishing and European indie trade group Impala’s ongoing crusade against music industry consolidation in the courts as well as with regulators.