UK's YouGov considers U.S. listing as recent deal bulks up business -FT (updated)

CRH

14/08/2023 06:18

(Adds details from the report in paragraphs 2-5; background in
paragraphs 3,6,7)
       Aug 14 (Reuters) - YouGov  YOU.L  is considering a U.S.
listing after a recent acquisition bulked up the British polling
company's operations to examine such a move in its "natural"
market, non-executive chairman Stephan Shakespeare told the
Financial Times.
    YouGov could move its primary listing to the United States
or establish a secondary listing in the market, the FT reported
on Monday.
    This follows YouGov's $342 million acquisition of
Germany-based GfK's consumer panel business last month.
    "With the recent acquisition, that's increased our size by
50 per cent overnight," Shakespeare told the paper.
    "I think the (U.S.) markets are better at supporting
companies like ours there. (The U.S.) spends the most on
marketing data; they are the most savvy. It is a natural base."
    YouGov did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for
comment.
    The move adds YouGov to the growing list of London-listed
companies looking to shift their listing to the U.S.
    Plumbing products supplier Ferguson  FERG.L  moved its
primary listing to New York last year, while CRH  CRH.L , the
world's biggest supplier of building materials, is slated for a
similar move next month.

 (Reporting by Lavanya Ahire in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio
D'Souza)
 ((LavanyaSushil.Ahire@thomsonreuters.com;))