Ladbrokes Shares up on Fresh Takeover Rumors

15 February 2008

By IGN Staff

Ladbrokes rose 2.4 percent in London trading today after a second straight day of hazy takeover rumors.

The U.K.-based betting shop owner gained 7.75p to 329, fueling speculation that there may be a private suitor on the scene, according to several media reports. The company gained 2.9 percent yesterday.

"There are rumors of stake building and a bid," Dresdner Kleinwort Analyst Andrew Lee told Bloomberg. Lee holds a buy rating on the stock.

Last week, Ladbrokes purchased 54 betting shops from Eastwood Bookmakers in Northern Ireland for around £135 million, making it the largest LBO operator in the province with a total of 70 outlets.

Ladbrokes Shares up on Fresh Takeover Rumors is republished from iGamingNews.com.