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Stake in the Economist draws interest as deadline approaches: Reuters
The Rothschild family's 27% stake sale could value The Economist at £800 million amid limited British media asset opportunities, with over a dozen bidders expressing interest.
- On Nov 28, bidders were asked to submit expressions of interest for a 27% Economist stake, which includes about 20% in voting shares and could value the company around 800 million pounds.
- Philanthropist Lynn Forester de Rothschild is putting the family's share up for sale three years after Evelyn de Rothschild's death, while governance rules at The Economist bar any one owner from a controlling stake.
- The Economist is profitable and has been expanding its subscriber base, reporting 170 million pounds in revenue and 800 million pounds in operating profit for six months ended Sept. 30, 2025.
- At least a dozen parties, including ultra-wealthy individuals and media companies, have shown preliminary interest, while two senior US media executives said ownership opens doors and offers elite access.
- Regulatory precedents in UK media deals could shape how bids unfold, as few recent opportunities raise competition and UK regulators forced RedBird Capital to withdraw a 500 million pound joint Telegraph bid.
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Exclusive: Stake in the Economist draws interest as deadline approaches, sources say
The sale of a large stake in the Economist publication is coming to a head this week, as bidders submit expressions of interest by Friday's deadline for a 27% stake, three people familiar with the matter said.
·United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources4
Leaning Left0Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
C 75%
R 25%
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