Frasers Group, parent company of Sports Direct and many other operations, has failed to address so far recent rumors that Mike Ashley, its biggest shareholder, may want to take the company private. He already owns about 68 percent of the shares, and an ongoing share buyback program may soon take his stake up to 70 percent, close to the 75 percent threshold that would allow him to bid for the remaining shares. According to The Telegraph, the rumors have been triggered by strong trading for Frasers on the London Stock Exchange. The company’s share price has gradually appreciated by more than 60 percent so far this year, fueled most recently by excellent results for the first half of its financial year, with the prospect that it may generate net profit of £350 million (€410m-$460m) for the full year. Observers feel that Ashley may not wish to make his bid until the stock price goes down significantly.

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