Shares in French Connection surge on prospect of sale

Bengaluru

FRENCH Connection shares rose as much 45 per cent on Monday after the British fashion retailer said the company could be sold as it reviews its strategic options.

The statement follows a weekend report from Sky News that chief executive officer and chairman Stephen Marks, who founded the company in 1969 and remains the largest shareholder, had approached bidders to offload his stake.

Mr Marks retains a 41.6 per cent stake, according to Refinitiv Eikon data while Mike Ashley's Sports Direct International holds 27 per cent. French Connection shares were up 34 per cent at 57.5 pence at 0800 GMT, giving the company a valuation of around £55 million (S$99.34 million).

The company, whose brands include its namesake French Connection, Great Plains and YMC, said that there is no certainty an offer will be made for the company.

French Connection has closed stores and hired new management and design teams as it battles fast-fashion rivals such as ASOS, Forever 21 and Inditex's Zara.

Once best known for its FCUK brand of clothes and accessories, the company had said in March that it was close to turning profitable and later added that it would consider restarting dividend payments.

In its most recent financial results, the company's cost-cutting measures helped reduce losses marginally in the first-half of the year.

However, revenue was down over 10 per cent with comparable sales in Europe and Britain falling 7 per cent. French Connection expects to close eight more stores this year as UK high street sales disappoint.

The company reported an underlying pretax operating loss of £5.5 million for the six months ended July 31

In April, the company agreed to sell its 75 per cent stake in clothing brand Toast, known for its Venetian palazzo and pyjamas for women, to Dutch firm Bestseller United A/S for £23.3 million. REUTERS