French entrepreneur Vincent Bollore, has bought a further 1.26 million shares in UK media company Aegis, taking Groupe Bollore’s total interest to 26.03%.
Bollore has steadily increased his stake in the company since the beginning of the year, fuelling industry speculation of a possible merger between the UK media company and Havas (see Bollore Raises Aegis Stake To Over 25%).
Many city analysts expect Bollore, who now is the largest shareholder in both Aegis and Havas, will orchestrate a move to join the two company’s, despite Havas’s claims that Bollore’s actions “not be taken as having any bearing on the question of whether or not Havas might participate at any time in any offer for Aegis in any capacity (see Havas Denies Takeover Rumours).