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EQT lifts Intertek bid to £58 per share

Wall Street Journal US Business •
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Swedish private‑equity firm EQT has lodged a revised offer to acquire UK‑based testing and certification group Intertek. The updated bid lifts the cash component to £58 per share, translating to an enterprise valuation of roughly £8.93 billion (about $12.08 billion). EQT lodged the proposal on Tuesday, signaling its intention to close the transaction swiftly.

The premium over Intertek’s last closing price narrows the gap that previously prompted shareholder resistance. By offering a higher cash consideration, EQT hopes to win backing from institutional investors who control most of the float. A successful bid would give the buyout group a foothold in the quality‑assurance market, complementing its industrial portfolio. The sector has seen consolidation moves this year, as firms chase scale.

If the offer clears regulatory scrutiny in the UK and EU, the deal could close later this year, potentially creating a delisted entity and reshaping Intertek’s capital structure. Creditors and minority shareholders will watch the terms closely, as cash‑only take‑privates often trigger debt refinancing. The transaction underscores EQT’s appetite for large‑scale, cash‑financed acquisitions.