LBOs to fly as activists poised to bring more M&A to Europe

As the shareholder acceptance deadline for German pharmaceuticals firm Stada’s €4.1bn buyout loomed on Thursday, there has been talk in the market about the rising influence of activist investors in Europe. Historically a largely US phenomenon, some market participants think Europe is set to experience a surge in shareholder activism of its own, shaking up the corporate landscape and inviting further leveraged buyouts, writes Max Bower.