U.K. Designer Ted Baker Invites Bids as Interest Builds

The consolidation trend reflects structural changes in the industry, as investors increasingly favor index-tracking strategies with lower fees.

The potential divestiture comes as Schroders advances its $13.5 billion acquisition by U.S.-based Nuveen.

As consumers drink less and producers grapple with oversupply, alcohol M&A has cooled — but seasoned investors say today’s reset could mirror past downturns that produced outsized returns.