## KEY TAKEAWAYS
- EQT raised its takeover bid for FTSE-listed Intertek to £58 per share in cash, valuing the deal at £8.9 billion and escalating pressure on the testing and inspection company ahead of a regulatory deadline.
- The increased offer represents a material step-up from EQT's previous bid and signals sustained private equity interest in acquiring the London-listed company.
- The timing of the bid intensifies negotiations as regulatory review processes approach completion, creating urgency for Intertek's board to respond.
## DETAILED SUMMARY
Private equity firm EQT has tabled a revised takeover offer for Intertek Group, a FTSE-listed testing, inspection, and certification company, at £58 per share in cash, according to an announcement on May 5, 2026. The all-cash bid values the transaction at £8.9 billion and represents an increase from EQT's previous proposal, demonstrating the sponsor's commitment to acquiring the British company.
The raised offer comes with strategic timing, as both parties operate within constraints imposed by regulatory review deadlines. For Intertek shareholders, the bid presents a valuation choice that must be assessed against the company's standalone prospects and the likelihood of alternative bidders emerging. For EQT, the move signals conviction in Intertek's asset base and cash generation profile—factors that typically attract large-cap private equity sponsors seeking mature, diversified industrial services platforms.
The escalation of EQT's offer underscores competitive tension in the large-cap buyout market, where control of essential service providers like Intertek remains strategically valuable. Testing and inspection services command recurring revenue streams across regulated sectors including energy, construction, and consumer goods, characteristics that appeal to buyout sponsors targeting stable cash flows and operational improvement opportunities.
