MAM
Vincent Bollore ups Aegis stake over 25%
MUMBAI: French financier and Havas Group chairman Vincent Bollore has upped his stake in the Aegis Group from 25 per cent to 25.05 per cent of the voting stock. The move, announced early this morning, has put Bollore at an advantage and gives him the power to veto an offer from another suitor.
The move comes as the WPP Group, Hellman & Friedman and potentially Bollore could not meet the Friday deadline to make an acceptable bid to acquire Aegis.
Aegis’ board disclosed that WPP and H&F made an offer on 16 November that was “materially below” the $2.40 per share offer previously made by Publicis, which has now pulled out of the bidding for Aegis.
“In compliance with the rules in Britain, the Bollore Group has declared to the authorities that it acquired, via holding company Financiere Loch, 735,223 shares in Aegis on November 25, thus taking its total stake in Aegis’s capital to 25.05 percent,” the Bollore Group said a statement.
According to a media report, WPP and H&F said that they were attempting to form a new company that also would have involved a third stakeholder, presumably Bollore, that would have resulted in “an enhanced offer being made in excess” of Publicis’ offer. WPP, which has pulled out of bidding for Aegis; however, said that it may re-enter the process of bidding.
Bollore, whose most recent acquisition gives him 25.05 per cent of Aegis’ shares, has been quoted as saying that his investments were a “financial holding” and that he has no intention of acquiring Aegis.
According to Takeover Panel rules, Bollore can raise his stake to 29.9 per cent of Aegis before being required to make a bid and taking seats on its board.
Brands
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India revs up with 63.69 lakh units in FY2026, posts 9 per cent growth
The two-wheeler giant closes the fiscal year on a strong note, with March 2026 delivering a blockbuster 29 per cent year-on-year surge
GURUGRAM: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has ended FY2026 in fine fettle. The two-wheeler maker recorded total sales of 63,69,504 units in the April 2025 to March 2026 period, a 9 per cent jump over FY2025, driven by sustained customer demand, improving market sentiment and a sharp focus on strengthening its presence across key segments.
The year’s finale was nothing short of spectacular. In March 2026 alone, HMSI shifted 5,49,145 units, a blistering 29 per cent growth over March 2025. Domestic sales for the month stood at 5,12,303 units, with exports contributing a further 36,842 units.
Zoom out to the full year and the picture is equally robust. Of the 63,69,504 units sold in FY2026, domestic sales accounted for 57,49,275 units, while exports came in at 6,20,229 units. The performance reflected a balanced showing across both markets, underpinned by a strong product portfolio and HMSI’s consistent emphasis on quality, reliability and customer satisfaction.
The company, which operates across 7,000-plus touchpoints in India, also underscored its commitment to road safety, pointing to its “Safety for Everyone” vision and the deployment of technologies such as ABS, CBS and rider-assist features across its range.
Twenty-nine per cent in March. Nine per cent for the year. For Honda in India, FY2026 was a very good ride indeed.
