Two of Merlin Entertainments' private equity backers sold 100 million shares in the British theme park owner for 366 million pounds ($615 million) on Friday, according to Deutsche Bank, one of the banks handling the sale. Plans to place the shares by CVC Capital Partners Ltd and Blackstone Group LP via Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley were announced after Thursday's close.Merlin is the world's second-biggest operator of visitor attractions behind Walt Disney with brands such as Madam Tussauds and Legoland and counted Blackstone and CVC as its biggest shareholders after Kirkbi A/S, according to Thomson Reuters data.($1 = 0.5956 British Pounds)
The Blackstone Group L.P. (Blackstone) is a manager of private capital and provider of financial advisory services. Shares of BX fell by 1.18% or $-0.4/share to $33.54. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $19.15 and as high as $35.39. On average, 5659780 shares of BX exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 4646363.
Morgan Stanley is a global financial services company that, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides its products and services to a range of clients and customers, including corporations, governments, financial institutions and individuals. Shares of MS traded higher by 0.13% or $0.04/share to $31.73. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $23.83 and as high as $33.52. On average, 11459200 shares of MS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 7086735.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI traded higher by 0.23% or $0.08/share to $35.33. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $31.38 and as high as $38.73. On average, 824656 shares of TRI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 644078.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI traded higher by 0.03% or $0.01/share to $38.38. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $33.08 and as high as $42.10. On average, 706388 shares of TRI.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 298436.
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