Waterstones eyes 2026 London float in latest sign of a revival in stock market listings
Waterstones could float in London next year in the latest sign of a revival in stock market listings.
Elliott Management, the activist fund that bought the bookshop in 2018, is understood to be looking at spinning off Waterstones and US counterpart Barnes & Noble.
Among the options are a float in London or New York, with the UK thought to be the front-runner.
Elliott declined to comment, but a source said: ‘Everything is very much on the table.’ A listing in London would be a major boost after a dearth of initial public offerings, though tuna firm Princes Group and challenger bank Shawbrook listed in London in recent weeks.
The RAC motoring group is also weighing up a float next year. Waterstones has staged a dramatic recovery under chief executive James Daunt, who took over in 2011 and also owns his eponymous chain Daunt Books.
Daunt’s turnaround was so successful that Elliott later installed him to lead the revival of Barnes & Noble after its acquisition in 2019.
New chapter: Waterstones has staged a dramatic recovery under chief exec James Daunt (pictured), who took over in 2011 and also owns his eponymous chain Daunt Books
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