Informa did not disclose the identity of the new suitor, but it is providing the potential bidder with financial information. The publishing and events company is already deep in discussions with Providence Equity Partners LLC, Carlyle Group and Hellman & Friedman LLC about a provisional offer they made (also as a mystery bidder) in June. Last week the private equity consortium was reportedly making a big push to get a deal done to unveil at Informa's earning announcement on Monday.
Talks between Informa and the buyout shops are still ongoing, the company said in its statement, but those discussion may have some problems of their own in the form of Informa's CEO's vacation plans. According to U.K. newspaper the Guardian, Peter Rigby made a tongue-in-cheek comment to the PE consortium that they should make a bid or walk away, because he wants to go on holiday. A formal offer from the buyout shops is rumored to be held up by difficulty lining up debt financing for the deal.
Informa's net income fell to £46.5 million ($92.1 million) from £68.7 million a year earlier, although sales rose 18% to £627.6 million. - George White
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