Dr. Martens shares
DOCS,
+5.68%
were among Europe’s top performers on reports of stake building by an activist investor.
The footwear-makers stock jumped more than 5% after Sky News said Sparta Capital Management, a London-based fund manager run by former Elliott Management executive Franck Tuil, had accumulated stock worth tens of millions of pounds and was now a top ten shareholder.
A Dr. Martens spokesperson said the London-listed group did not know the percentage holding the Sparta stake represented as this has not been disclosed, adding: “We engage with all our shareholders on a frequent basis and met with Sparta as part of the regular roadshow after our full-year results.”
Sparta did not respond to a request for comment.
Dr. Martens stock is down nearly 60% from its IPO price of 370 pence set in early 2021, battered by problems at its U.S. distribution hub and weaker than expected sales in America.
However, they are well off lows of just a few weeks ago, analysts noted. “A fortnight ago, Dr. Martens’ chief executive Kenny Wilson bought £399,999 worth of shares off the back of a more reassuring trading update versus previous ones over the past year or so. The company is hoping to improve performance in the Americas after a disappointing period,” said Laith Khalaf, head of investment analysis at AJ Bell.
Meanwhile, a notable underperformer on the continent was Heineken
HEIA,
-7.06%.
Shares in the Netherlands-based brewer slumped 7% after it cut its profit growth forecast for this year, citing weak demand in Asia and the reluctance of U.S. and European drinkers to swallow higher prices.
The broader market tone was mildly positive, with the Europe-wide Stoxx 600 index
SXXP,
+0.16%
adding 0.2%, partly on hopes that further stimulus by Beijing will help boost demand in China’s economy.
The euro
EURUSD,
+0.23%
was little changed at $1.1020, but 10-year German bund yields
TMBMKDE-10Y,
2.507%
nudged up 1.3 basis point to 2.504% after data showed eurozone annual core inflation remained sticky at 5.5% in July.
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