EasyJet rejects fourth Castlelake bid but opens books and extends takeover deadline
EasyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) has rejected a fourth takeover proposal from Castlelake, saying the US private equity firm's latest approach still undervalues the airline and raises significant concerns over whether a deal could be completed. The low-cost carrier has nevertheless agreed to provide Castlelake with limited commercial information after concluding that further due diligence could lead to a higher offer that better reflects the company's value.
Easyjet suitor Castlelake takes takeover offer public after three bids rejected
EasyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) has rejected a third takeover approach from investment firm Castlelake, prompting the bidder to take its proposed 625p-a-share offer directly to shareholders ahead of a takeover deadline later this week. The US private equity firm said its latest non-binding proposal was rejected on Sunday, with the airline's board having already turned down earlier approaches at 560p and 600p per share.
Value of easyJet's airport slots mean Castlelake approach 'should not be taken lightly'
EasyJet PLC's (LSE:EZJ) sprawling collection of airport slots is attracting almost as much attention as its aircraft fleet, leading Deutsche Bank to upgrade the budget airline and give a sharp hike to its share price target. Swapping his former 'sell' rating for a 'hold' view instead, analyst Jaime Rowbotham raised his target price to 540p from 340p, arguing that growing investor interest has shifted the balance of risks around the stock.
easyJet: Why Castlelake Is Looking To Buy The Airline
easyJet remains a strong buy, with a compelling valuation and robust liquidity despite recent losses and sector headwinds. Castlelake's potential >$4B takeover faces significant regulatory hurdles and undervalues EZJ's owned fleet and cash position. Fleet value analysis suggests a fair takeover price should be at least $7.20 per share, offering 15%+ upside from current levels.
EasyJet fleet alone could be worth double the share price, says Citi
Shares in easyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) climbed 3.5% after Citi estimated that the airline's aeroplane fleet could be worth double the recent share price. The US investment bank said the company's aircraft assets should help underpin the share price as takeover speculation continues, following the Castlelake announcement that it was exploring a potential bid.
Castlelake interest puts easyJet in play, but a deal faces formidable obstacles
The confirmation by US private investment firm Castlelake that it is considering a possible offer for easyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) has thrown a spotlight on an airline that has spent years frustrating shareholders, and raises the question of whether outside pressure can unlock value that management has so far failed to deliver. Castlelake's interest is not entirely surprising.
EasyJet says Clearlake approach 'highly opportunistic' but will consider offer
EasyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) said it has not held any discussions with Castlelake and has received no approach from the investment firm, after the US private equity firm disclosed on Friday that it was considering a possible offer for the airline. The FTSE 100-listed budget carrier said its board "will consider any proposal, should one be made", but stressed it would focus on both valuation and deliverability.
easyJet H1 Earnings Call Highlights
easyJet LON: EZJ reported a wider first-half loss for the period ended March 31, 2026, while management said the airline is responding to Middle East-related volatility, higher fuel prices and softer forward bookings from a position of balance sheet strength.
EasyJet losses swell as Iran war raises costs and delays bookings
EasyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) posted a wider first-half loss as the Iran war led to higher fuel costs and reduced visibility into summer bookings, offsetting improvements in passenger numbers and its holidays business. The budget airline said forward bookings had slowed since the escalation in Middle East tensions, with customers booking closer to departure dates than normal.
EasyJet first-half loss expected to widen as jet fuel prices spike
EasyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) first-half losses are likely to widen as fuel costs were ratcheted up by the war in the Middle East, offsetting what it said was strong demand for flights and holidays. The budget airline said it would report a headline pre-tax loss of £540 million to £560 million for the six months to March, up from the headline loss of £394 million a year ago.
EasyJet stands out as best long-side bet in European airlines after sector sell-off, says Citi
easyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) has emerged as the most compelling buy opportunity among European airline stocks following a broad sector sell-off, with its shares now trading close to the valuation lows last seen during the 2008 global financial crisis. The low-cost carrier's price-to-book ratio, a measure that compares a company's share price to the net value of its assets, has fallen to levels that historically have marked extreme stress points for the stock, suggesting much of the bad news is already reflected in the price.
Citi upgrades easyJet to ‘buy' as margin recovery expected in 2027
easyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) shares rose 1% to 489.6p after Citi upgraded the stock to ‘Buy', citing a clearer path to earnings recovery and improved capital returns from 2027 onwards. Analysts said easyJet's margins are expected to bottom out in the current financial year to September 2026, with attention now shifting to FY27, when a refreshed fleet is set to bolster its core airline operations.
