Investor attacks Hambros
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Regent Pacific, a Hong Kong investment group, yesterday appeared to be trying to put Hambros into play as a takeover target by disclosing a 3 per cent stake and mounting an attack on the board's performance.
Jim Mellon, chairman of Regent Pacific, said in a written statement: "Hambros appears to us to be an undervalued and undermanaged enterprise. It could be said that the board is beautifully decorated but it seems that the company itself is in urgent need of repairs. We believe that we will profit from an investment in Hambros shares."
Mr Mellon said later: "We have bought an undervalued stock and we will see what happens. Cyclically it seems like a good time to buy a stake." He added: "Something has got to happen."
The statement attacking the board was sent to Sir Chips Keswick, Hambros chief executive, ahead of the announcement.
Sir Chips said Hambros did not know Regent or do any business with it, and neither did it know Mr Mellon. "As a 3 per cent shareholder we look forward to meeting them," he added.
Regent Pacific has spent pounds 14m buying shares in the merchant bank. The money came from Regent's own capital and not from funds under management for clients.
A year ago Regent launched a successful hostile takeover bid for GT Chile, a pounds 250m offshore fund manager, and it is engaged in a battle for control of Pioneer Industries, a holding company for a small 4.5 per cent stake in the giant Bangkok Bank of Thailand.
Hambros has recently completed a nine-month review of its long-term strategy, which was published in the annual report in July. Its shares have risen well above the low of 182p in June last year, adding 9p to 266.5p yesterday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments