UK firms opting to leave stock exchange jump 40% under Brexit uncertainty

The number of publicly listed companies opting to leave the stock exchange and become private firms e rose to 28 in 2019 from 20 in the previous year, a 40% increase, as Brexit is making UK firms cheaper. The value of those deals rose to £21.1bn last year from £9.9bnn in 2018, with private equity firms leading the privatisation wave. The £4bn buyout of defence group Cobham by US private equity group Advent International was the most high profile deal in a trend that goes back more than a decade for businesses to reject the stock market in favour of private ownership. Pinsent Masons...