Speculation is mounting that the Issa brothers are preparing to buy another target.
A jump in profit at the petrol station company EG Group has prompted its owners to say that they want to “take advantage of the opportunities ahead”. Annual underlying profits at EG rose by 16% to $1.45bn in 2021. Revenue grew by 24% to $26.5bn.
The brothers are thought to be the frontrunners to buy health and beauty retailer Boots, in partnership with TDR Capital.
The multi-billion-pound sale of the retailer has run into difficulties after Bain Capital and CVC Capital abandoned their bid for the 2,000-store business.
Early non-binding bids have been received from the Issas and US buyout group Apollo.
