Smith & Williamson (S&W) has put its plans for a stock market listing back on the table after the wealth manager’s talks for a merger with rival Rathbone Brothers PLC (LON:RAT) fell through.
S&W said it had been looking to float when Rathbone approached the company about a potential all-share merger and now that the talks have ended, it was resuming its plan.
READ: Rathbone Brothers confirms £2bn all-share merger talks with financial services provider Smith & Williamson
Rathbone decided to end exclusive talks with S&W on Thursday after carrying out extensive due diligence and negotiations. The proposed deal valued S&W at between £500mln and £600mln, Reuters reported, citing a source.
“We continue to believe that our proposition was both a compelling strategic and value creation opportunity for all Smith & Williamson’s stakeholders,” Rathbone’s boss Philip Howell said in a statement.
In talks with Tilney?
The collapse of talks between the two companies could lead to rival Tilney reviving its unsuccessful counterbid for S&W that was reported earlier this week.
Tilney put forward its bid after Rathbone confirmed its merger talks with S&W, owned by former and current employees along with AGF.
An S&W spokeswoman said the firm was not in discussions with Tilney.
"AGF will actively pursue alternatives to realise value in its investment in Smith & Williamson for the benefit of AGF shareholders," Blake Goldrin, chief executive officer of AGF, said in a statement.
Rathbone expects a charge of £5mln related to the failed deal in 2017.