Regulator launches formal probe into Barratt-Redrow tie-up
![Barratt Developments | Sharecast graphic / Josh White dl barratt developments housebuilder house home builder developer poppy fields ftse 100](https://img.s3wfg.com/web/img/images_uploaded/b/d/dl-barratt-developments-housebuilder-house-home-builder-developer-poppy-fields-ftse-100_620x350.jpg)
The competition watchdog has launched an official investigation into the proposed £2.5bn takeover of house builder Redrow by Barratt Developments, it was confirmed on Friday.
Barratt Developments
492.60p
17:15 06/09/24
FTSE 100
8,181.47
16:55 06/09/24
FTSE 250
20,494.00
16:44 06/09/24
FTSE 350
4,510.61
16:44 06/09/24
FTSE All-Share
4,467.47
17:09 06/09/24
Household Goods & Home Construction
14,390.31
16:44 06/09/24
Redrow
779.00p
16:44 22/08/24
The Competition and Markets Authority first started gathering information on the all-stock deal in March, a month after the tie-up was agreed, but on Friday it confirmed it was moving to a phase 1 investigation.
The CMA said it wanted to assess what impact the takeover could have on competition in the UK.
It also invited interested third parties to comment, with a deadline of 28 June.
The CMA will then have until 8 August to decide whether to proceed with a more in-depth phase 2 probe.
Both companies were informed on Thursday.
The takeover of its smaller rival will secure Barratt’s position as the UK’s largest housebuilder. The combined business - Barratt Redrow - expects to build around 22,000 homes a year with turnover of more than £7bn.
It is part of a wave of consolidation seen recently across the UK housebuilding sector. In 2022, Vistry snapped up Countryside for £1.25bn, while on Thursday Bellway confirmed that its proposed all-share bid for Crest Nicholson had been rejected.