IB on EMI derby

ON SECOND THOUGHT... Here’s I.B. Bad’s take on the latest developments in the EMI derby (see next three items): Has Boris got cold feet? Is he already disillusioned with his acquisition of WMG and decided not to double down? If he loses EMI, how soon after does he become a seller? Most insiders still believe he will be the ultimate buyer, but the regulatory issues here could provide EMI staffers with a much-needed extended period of time—as much as a year—to continue to run their company until the regulators decide how this whole thing will turn out. One should note that UMG cleverly got through regulation when it bought BMG’s pubco by the divesting of assets. (11/9a)