There has been much to mull over in the couple of days since easyJet said it was minded to recommend a proposed £5 billion-plus takeover bid to shareholders.

It has been a fast-moving situation.

US private equity outfit Castlelake has repeatedly raised the price as it has made one bid approach after another.

Of course, while easyJet has announced an agreement in principle with Castlelake on “the key financial terms of a recommended cash offer”, the private equity player has yet to table a firm offer.

What is more, it remains to be seen what easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family, who together own about 15% of the airline, make of the price being pitched by Castlelake.

And, on the basis that a firm offer is tabled by Castlelake and this does win approval from easyJet shareholders, there is much more to consider.

Crucially, what would the takeover of the stock market listed easyJet by a private equity player mean for employees and customers of the airline?

Before getting to this, it is worth highlighting some observations from analysts about the UK listed companies being taken over or targeted by overseas private equity players. Such moves are part of a broader trend of a sharp decline in the number of major companies listed on the stock market and a surge in ownership by private equity outfits.

Garry White, chief investment commentator at stockbroker Raymond James, said: “The number and size of takeover bids from overseas buyers suggest that many UK-listed companies remain significantly undervalued. London Stock Exchange data shows that announced merger and acquisition activity involving UK targets exceeded $231bn by early July 2026, up 210% from the same point a year earlier. Foreign acquirers accounted for around 86% of the total deal value, with companies including easyJet, SEGRO, Beazley, Gamma Communications and Animalcare Group attracting bid interest.”

These numbers are eye-catching.

Mr White added: "Overseas buyers and private equity........

© Herald Scotland