Informa Proposes £1.2 Billion Acquisition of Ascential

The FTSE 100 is poised to open lower after a 0.38% decline on Tuesday, with Informa announcing its acquisition of Ascential for £1.2 billion, offering shareholders 568p per share. Ascential's board is inclined to recommend this proposal after previously receiving several approaches from Informa. Meanwhile, easyJet reported a £33 million increase in pre-tax profit, attributing growth to an 8% rise in passenger numbers and maintaining a positive outlook for 2024. Tesla's earnings have significantly dropped due to price cuts affecting profit margins, with CEO Elon Musk noting increased competition. Reckitt is facing pressure from shareholders to reconsider selling its struggling nutrition business, which has seen its share price decline. These developments reflect ongoing shifts in the market and corporate strategies as companies adapt post-pandemic.