BT bid battle in prospect? India's Reliance mooted as a potential bidder for the British telco
Billionaire Patrick Drahi’s Altice owns 12% of and the lock-up agreement stopping it from tabling an offer for the full group expires on December 10
Company
BT Group PLC
LON:BT.A
Operating in over 170 countries, BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services.
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BT opens flagship London HQ
The telecoms group said it still “firmly believes” in the future of the office and is adopting hybrid working
Will BT Group and Vodafone be the next telcos on private equity shopping lists?
News that KKR is buying Telecom Italia made for a sprightly start in London for BT and Vodafone shares
BT shares perk up on reports Altice founder is eyeing a bigger stake
Another of the UK telecoms group's shareholders said on Friday that they are looking at their options
BT set to drive consumer broadband industry price rises of up to 8% in 2022
BT Group's shares are also being supported by hopes of a takeover by major shareholder Altice with a key deadline approaching
BT update contained 'flurry of positives' say brokers
“BT to resume its journey towards fresh all-time highs”
Archive
FTSE 100 ends higher on bank and energy stock gains
London's blue chips finish on the front foot as US stocks rise on strong jobs data
Hardware & electrical equipment
BT sharpens up for the fast fibre and other battles ahead
The decision to go it alone highlights the long-term potential at stake
BT reaffirms full-year outlook as first-half revenue drops 3%
The group said it expects free cash flow to increase by £1.5bn by the end of the decade
Archive
BT Group, Sainsburys and the Bank of England in Thursday’s spotlight
Aston Martin, Electrocomponents, Smith & Nephew, Tate & Lyle and Wizz Air are among other notable names in the diary for Thursday.
BT teams up with OneWeb to roll out satellite services
OneWeb is expected to deliver global coverage by June 2022 and is poised to deliver services from the North Pole to the 50th parallel, covering the entire UK, before the end of 2021
BT Group surges as it confirms it is ahead of plan on cost-cutting
The telecommunications giant said it has delivered on its £1bn of gross annualised cost savings 18 months ahead of the March 2023 target.
Volt heaps pressure on BT as Deutsche Bank repeats 'sell' advice
Virgin-O2 launched Volt, a broadband package with Virgin Media and O2 pay monthly contract, today
BT: Why the share price revival may be about to unwind; a leading bank has its say
Analysts at UBS provided some grist to its 'sell' advice
BT’s broadband dominance facing major challenge from potential deal between Sky and Virgin Media O2
Analysts at UBS said a deal between Sky and VMO2 could see BT/Openreach lose over £600mln of “very high-margin revenue”
BT Group faces full trial over £600mln landline compensation claim
The claim calls for £500 of compensation each for the 2.3mln-plus customers affected
Ofcom to make it easier to switch broadband provider
The new rules will enable users to make the switch in just one day and without having to speak to both their new and existing broadband provider
BT Sport in crosshairs as Sky and DAZN are set for tense Saturday fight night
AJ and the Premier League could be find their way onto streaming platforms in the coming weeks.
BT Group may be set for ‘modest upside’ from DAZN deal, but Sky pact is seen as an obstacle
It is not clear that Sky would be happy having a new competitor in the UK market and could withdraw shared content, say UBS analysts.
BT Group Plc shares rise amid fresh reports of DAZN deal for BT Sport
The telecoms share was on the front foot in the wake of a report in the FT.
BT takeover talk stoked as Deutsche Telekom boss says he expects movement
Deutsche Telekom owns 12% of the UK telecoms giant through its pension fund
BT Group PLC shares: Was the love affair over even before it began?
Barclays Capital believes there are still reasons to be cheerful
BT's new chair Adam Crozier only works for household names
As a former state-owned company, it bears many other similarities to Royal Mail, an organisation from which Crozier emerged with a mixed score-card
BT appoints former Royal Mail and ITV boss Adam Crozier as new chair
Crozier currently chairs Whitbread PLC, ASOS PLC, Kantar Group and is a non-exec at Sony
BT Group fast-fibre pricing under fire from rival
“This would be a dangerous precedent to be setting."
BT share price pullback overdone, says Jefferies
The broker’s 12-month target price forecast is 260p. BT shares currently trade at 177p, up 0.1%.
BT pushes further into cybersecurity with new business service
Earlier this month, BT was the largest investor in a funding round by Silicon Valley-based Safe Security
BT Group’s Openreach revenue will stagnate in second half of decade - Berenberg
Berenberg rates BT as a ‘hold’, with a 175p price target.
BT under more pressure as Virgin Media 02 unveils fast-fibre plan
"Right now, we have the UK’s leading gigabit network, and this upgrade means we’ll be even stronger for the decades ahead"
BT profits and revenues dragged lower by overseas operations
Philip Jansen, chief executive, said the results were in line with expectations overall
ITV confirms talks to partner BT Sport, but not a takeover
Dividends were the focus this morning were the focus for investors, but speculation around BT Sport has made headlines.
BT Group, Lloyds, and Shell in spotlight for Thursday
BT Group, Lloyds and Shell are among the notable names in the diary for Thursday.
Archive
BT, airlines and oilers among blue-chip bonanza in coming week
There will also be eyes on the macro diary as markets await the latest interest rates decision from the Federal Reserve
BT invests in Silicon Valley cyber security outfit Safe Security
BT will be granted exclusive rights to use and sell SAFE to businesses and public sector bodies in the UK
BT’s EE network faces £25mln annual licence fee under Ofcom proposals
The telecom regulator proposed the new annual spectrum payments for the UK's major mobile networks as part of new arrangements due to come into force at the start of 2022
BT clinches deal with union members over modernisation plans
The agreement with the Communication Workers Union and the telecoms giant includes a commitment to implement pay rises for UK staff next year as well as a review of site closures and redundancies
BT Group in talks with satellite internet specialist OneWeb over rural connectivity
OneWeb is part-owned by UK taxpayers after it was rescued by the government last year
BT’s EE makes U-turn on roaming charges with new hefty fee
Three and O2, instead, have lowered the maximum amount of data available per month, after which users have to pay extra
BT shares can hit £3 reckons Barclays
BT shares have already had a good run and are up 52% year to date
News UK drops out of BT Sport talks
A number of TV companies and streaming platforms have in recent weeks been linked to a potential deal for BT Sport.
BT shares top £2 for first time in eighteen months
CEO Jansen has been a heavy buyer of BT shares himself
Hardware & electrical equipment
Can BT Group cope with a backseat driver in the boardroom?
Shareholder activism is on the rise across the City and BT Group’s new 12% shareholder is not expected to sit quietly in the background.
BT's new investor not a passive shareholder says JP Morgan
Drahi has “ambitious return expectations for all of his investments"
FTSE 100 giants warned over paying dividends with pensions shortfalls
Dividends might have to go on hold says the Pensions Regulator
BT will not face takeover bid from new 12% shareholder Altice
Altice said it “holds the Board and Management team of BT in high regard and is supportive of their strategy"
BT shares becoming overcooked, says Deutsche Bank
In a note, the bank said downgraded the stock to ‘sell’ from ‘hold’, saying a number of events following the telecom's giant's recovery from its dividend cut had left the shares well above their 140p target price
BT facing more broadband competiton from billionaire-backed startup Upp
The eastern England broadband network has received £1bn of investment from Mikhail Fridman's LetterOne vehicle
BT Group downgraded as outlook looking more challenging, says Berenberg
BT looks cheap on earnings metrics, but expensive on cash flow
BT faces new challenger as CMA approves merger of Virgin Media and O2
The UK regulator said following a review it had concluded that the £31.4bn combination of the broadband firm and mobile network is “unlikely to lead to any substantial lessening of competition”
BT boss Philip Jansen forks out £2mln to increase his stake
This is not a share award; Jansen has actually paid cash for these shares
Premier League TV deal may keep the wolves from the door but Sky and BT Group Plc’s bundle model is facing existential threat
As Sky and BT roll over their Premier League deals the online streamers are lurking with intent.
BT gets nod of approval for faster fibre roll-out from three City heavyweights
The new capex is being spent on what should be an attractive project
BT puts itself on a high fibre diet
Has BT turned a corner? A more sensible dividend policy, a willingness to seek partners in its Openreach business and progress on the pension deficit are all causes for optimism.
BT Group extends exclusive Premier League rights as deal looms for sports broadcast unit
An announcement from the Premier League coincided with BT Group's results for 2020
BT 'pivoting to consistent and predictable growth after profits are hit by the pandemic
Revenues and profits were down but BT said it put in a "strong operational performance" during the COVID-19 pandemic
BT to pick up the pace of fast broadband connections after latest pension deficit agreement
The new pension deficit reduction plan keeps the group on course to wipe out the shortfall by 2030 and appears to have freed up cash to step up the fibre to the premises rollout
BT Group, Burberry, and Greggs are key names in Thursday’s diary
It is set to be an active day of company reporting with BT, Burberry and Greggs among the highlights.
BT Group shares have 'little reason to outperform' further, says Deutsche Bank
The analysts see “limited evidence of interest” for a BT Sport sale
Archive
FTSE 100 lower with Scottish Mortgage trust leading the retreat; Wall Street mixed as Dow crosses 35K
Tech shares appear to be out of fashion this week, as the US Nasdaq gave up more than 1%
JP Morgan shines light on why private equity is looking at BT and other telcos
Fibre is likely to lead to lower maintenance costs as more of the network is converted
If BT Group deals in a streamer it would upend the sports broadcasting landscape
The likes of DAZN, Amazon, Disney and ITV have been linked to talks, whichever lands a deal may massively disrupt pay-TV sports broadcasting.
BT Group confirms talks about selling sports broadcast unit
DAZN, Amazon, and Disney are among the names linked to a possible deal.
BT faces added uncertainy over European football rights, UBS says 'sell' the shares
Among the potential scenarios, the bank's analysts warned that another broadcaster such as Amazon might acquire rights to the new Super League
BT shares in holding pattern as breakaway European Super League threatens to devalue broadcast deals
Twelve ‘founding’ clubs this weekend inked a proposal to set up a new 20-team European Super League to usurp the existing UEFA Champions Leage.
BT upgraded as JP Morgan sees Openreach driving recovery
If BT can convince investors of the opportunity in fibre, the shares will get a rerating
BT and Virgin to face more competition as Sky launches business broadband product
This is a smart strategic move for Sky for a number of reasons, said analyst Ian Whittaker
BT Group plans to pay a £1,500 special bonus to key staff
The payment is being made despite BT freezing pay across the company and unresolved talks with its largest union over the group’s transformation and modernisation plans
BT’s shares buzzing but JP Morgan thinks they can go higher
Ofcom review gave Openreach “the most regulatory visibility that it has ever had”, added analysts at Berenberg
BT Group welcomes fibre-to-the-premises 'green light' to 'build like fury'
Having avoided the prospect of price caps (for at least 10 years) on new fibre-optic broadband connections, BT is ready to "build like fury"
Ofcom to hold off from insisting on cost-based prices for fibre services for at least 10 years
The telecoms regulator has published its Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review
UK government rakes in £1.36bn from first stage of 5G airwaves auction
BT is paying £452mln for the largest allocation with O2 and Three also heavy spenders
Archive
FTSE 100 closes lower as market indecision reigns ahead of Fed rate decision
The UK's premier share index finished down almost 41 points at 6,762
BT shares rise despite threat of strike
The CWU said BT wants to concentrate the majority of its operations at 30 key locations
BT boardroom upheaval doesn’t point to Openreach stake sale, says UBS
“We see the move in the BT share price as overdone - the tax changes from the UK Budget are a net negative"
BT says no rift on strategy between chairman and CEO
"Any suggestion that he has impeded the transformation of BT is without foundation"
BT chairman retired after CEO ultimatum, says report
Instances of chief executives instigating a change of chairperson are rare
BT Group upgraded as Credit Suisse expects “one of the strongest” post-Covid rebounds
BT shares rose by 3% to 138.73p, which is still some way beneath Credit Suisse's new target price of 200p
Archive
BT given Budget boost by investment super deduction tax break
Other winners from Chancellor Sunak's announcements included oil companies, banks and the hospitality sector
BT chairman Du Plessis to step down after four years
In a statement, the South African said: “BT has made good progress over the last few years."
BT Group sees quarterly profits decline ease
The group's Openreach arm has now installed 5G masts in 125 towns and cities
Archive
BT Group, Shell, Unilever, and Barratt Developments to feature in Thursday’s busy diary
It is set to be a busy Thursday for blue-chip updates.
BT slips as it faces class action lawsuit over landline overcharging
If successful, the lawsuit could see the telecoms giant shell out £600mln in payments to 2.3mln customers
Sell BT says UBS on risks from competiton, pension deficit and spectrum costs
The analyst said BT’s Openreach arm and the group’s pension deficit are the “two biggest drivers” for the shares
BT sets up digital unit to accelerate new product development
The telecoms firm said the new unit will focus on “the development and rapid delivery of innovative products, platforms and services” in areas such as healthcare and data
BT fined for breaking Ofcom rules over tender process for Northern Ireland contract
The regulator said the telecoms giant failed to give a rival company the same information as its own bid team during the bidding process regarding one of its wholesale products
Virgin Media and O2 merger referred for full UK competition investigation
The phase 2 investigation starts immediately and follows a request from the two telecoms companies for a fast-track review
BT Group lower as workers overwhelmingly back strike action
The telecoms giant is facing its first national strike since 1994 as a ballot of 45,000 of its workers affiliated with the CWU returned 97.9% support for an official vote on a walkout
BT faces more promotional competition from Vodafone PLC and Three, says UBS
“In our view the key drivers for [BT's] stock from here are the valuation of Openreach and the clarification of the pension deficit,” analysts said
BT boss floats possible sale of Openreach business
Philip Jansen told a conference that there was “potentially” room to consider selling a minority stake in the business
BT’s Openreach hails Ofcom report on strategic independence of broadband business
The communications regulator said Openreach has made “good progress in strengthening and safeguarding” its strategic independence from the wider business
BT Group gets target price raise from Citigroup over consumer recovery, fibre expansion
The expected levels of free cash flow should offer tight cover to BT’s 7.7p dividend resuming next year
BT workers mull strike action as company 'puts profit before people'
If the CWU vote in favour of industrial action, it would be the first national strike at BT since 1994
BT Group eyes £7.9bn underlying earnings in 2023
In the half-year to September, adjusted underlying earnings came in at £3.2bn
UK to ban selling of locked mobile phones under new Ofcom rules
From next December, the regulator said mobile networks will not be able to sell handsets that can only be used on their network alone in a move designed to make switching providers easier for customers
BT and Sky to show all Premier League games in October, ahead of broadcast rights battle
Amazon has been making incursions in the Premier League broadcast clique ahead of next year's big rights auction
BT to replace Huawei kit with Nokia across mobile networks
All Huawei equipment must also be removed from UK 5G networks by 2027
The market's got it wrong about BT profits, says Credit Suisse
A lack of global sport will result in around a £400mln profit hit to BT Sport in 2021 but the analysts believe by 2022 most of the negative impact will have reversed
Archive
Why is Amazon playing with the Premier League, is it a timebomb for the TV and telecoms ‘bundle’?
Amazon is edging its way into Premier League broadcasting.
BT upped to 'overweight' as Barclays highlights rapidly improving Openreach outlook
The bank also said derisked consensus estimates with an attractive valuation were also key reasons were taking a “more constructive view” on the stock
BT is in private equity’s crosshairs but who else might be in the sniper’s lens?
The BT team has begun manning battlements amid reports that private equity