UK's Bellway cancels takeover proposal for Crest Nicholson

14 Aug 2024 CW Team

British homebuilder Bellway has withdrawn its $921 million takeover proposal for FTSE midcap peer Crest Nicholson without providing an explanation. Following the announcement on Tuesday, Bellway's shares rose by about 4%, while Crest's stock, which had gained 15% since the approach was revealed in June, dropped by approximately 9%.

Bellway stated that it remains confident in its robust balance sheet, operational strength, and the quality of its land bank, which it believes will support volume growth in the coming years.

In a separate statement, Crest Nicholson expressed confidence in its standalone prospects. Last month, Crest indicated it might recommend a firm offer to its shareholders after Bellway had sweetened its proposal. The most recent proposal, made in July at 273 pence per share, was Bellway's third offer in four months. The previous offer at 253 pence per share, along with the initial bid, had been rejected by Crest.

The consolidation in Britain's homebuilding sector continues as a shortage of properties drives up prices and rents, leading the new Labour government to promise eased planning restrictions and increased building. In February, Barratt, Britain's largest homebuilder, agreed to acquire Redrow in an all-stock deal, while Vistry purchased Countryside in 2022. Last week, Bellway joined larger rivals Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey in expressing optimism about the sector's outlook after the Bank of England lowered its main interest rate.

Real Estate

03 Apr 2026

Loomcraft Enters South India with Kerala Store Launch

Loomcraft has launched its exclusive store in Kerala, marking its entry into South India and a key step in its nationwide expansion strategy. The move targets a region driven by tourism and premium real estate demand, where outdoor spaces play a central role in hospitality and residential experiences.Kerala’s growing base of luxury resorts, boutique hotels, villas and gated communities has created strong demand for specialised outdoor furniture. However, the region has remained underserved, with buyers relying on imports or generic products not suited to humid, coastal and monsoon-heavy cond..

Mild Steel Prices Seen Rising to Rs 61,000 Per Tonne

Mild steel prices in India, currently around Rs 58,000 per tonne, are expected to rise to nearly Rs 61,000 per tonne in April, indicating an increase of about Rs 3,000 per tonne. The anticipated rise reflects structural pressures driven by geopolitical tensions, energy constraints and limited raw material availability.Ongoing global conflict has disrupted energy markets, leading to LNG shortages that are affecting domestic steel production. Small and mid-sized manufacturers, particularly those dependent on gas-based processes, are witnessing production cuts due to constrained energy supply, re..

Vedanta Expands Transgender Workforce to 75 Employees

Vedanta has strengthened its commitment to workplace inclusion by employing 75 transgender individuals across its businesses, including Vedanta Aluminium, Hindustan Zinc, Sesa Goa, FACOR and Cairn Oil & Gas. The initiative reflects sustained hiring efforts since 2022 to build equitable opportunities across operations, corporate and technical roles.Transgender employees are engaged in functions such as operations, finance, logistics, HR, CSR, healthcare and security, with provisions for internal mobility to support career progression. The company has implemented structured policies, includi..