H&M CEO Rejects Spin-Off Trend; CVC Invests in ISP; Nordnet Expands Pre-Market Trading in Sweden
A roundup of recent corporate strategy and investment updates: H&M’s CEO rejects spin-off strategies, CVC acquires a stake in education firm ISP, and Nordnet opens pre-market trading for U.S. stocks in Sweden.
- • H&M CEO Daniel Ervér opposes brand portfolio spin-offs, emphasizing integration benefits.
- • CVC Capital acquires around 20% stake in education company ISP, operating in 25 countries.
- • Nordnet launches pre-market trading of American stocks for Swedish investors starting at 13:00 Swedish time.
- • Pre-market trading offers real-time market reaction but comes with increased volatility and same-day order validity.
Key details
Recent corporate and investment developments highlight significant strategic moves involving Swedish and Nordic companies. H&M CEO Daniel Ervér has dismissed the growing trend of spin-offs as a success formula. Contrary to suggestions for separating H&M’s brand portfolio into independent entities, Ervér emphasized the benefits of maintaining an integrated brand portfolio, stating, “I don't think it would have helped me to not have the brand portfolio – on the contrary.” This underscores H&M’s commitment to a unified strategy amid industry speculation (ID 85201).
Meanwhile, private equity giant CVC Capital has acquired approximately a 20 percent minority stake in International Schools Partnership (ISP), an education company with operations in 25 countries. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal signals increased investment interest in the international education sector (ID 85160).
On the financial markets front, Nordnet, a leading Swedish broker, has pioneered pre-market trading of American stocks for Swedish investors. Starting at 13:00 Swedish time, traders can react to U.S. market news in real time, ahead of regular opening at 15:30. Investment coach Ara Mustafa highlights the strategic advantage of timing in trading, though warns of increased volatility and lower liquidity during pre-market hours. Orders during pre-trading are valid only for the same day, with unexecuted orders rolling over to regular hours. Nordnet’s move aims to enhance market agility for Nordic investors and deepen engagement via its social investment network, Shareville (ID 85205).