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Evening Standard

Business

Simon Freeman

National Express’ £1.9bn tie-up with Stagecoach put on ice for merger probe

Stagecoach National Express

Stagecoach has confirmed talks over a potential all-share takeover by rival National Express (Dave Thompson/PA)
(Picture: PA Archive)

TRAVEL firm National Express's proposed takeover of smaller rival Stagecoach hit a bump today as the competition watchdog opened a merger investigation.

The Competition and Markets Authority has served an initial enforcement order putting the brakes on the £1.9 billion marriage. It cited "reasonable grounds for suspecting" the two bus and coach operators will "cease to be distinct", reducing competition in the sector.

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