Universal Music Group just got a new dance partner! Shake up your playlists, because Independent Franchise Partners (IFP), an 'activist' investor from London, has snagged a 3.01% stake in the world's top music company. As of February 9, IFP is holding over 55 million UMG shares, making them the sixth-largest shareholder! And with a share price of €19.73, this investment is rocking a staggering €1.09 billion!
But who is IFP? Formed in 2009, IFP loves investing in standout companies with ‘intangible assets.’ While they're keeping their UMG plans under wraps, IFP's track record shows their belief in the power of music!
Besides their splash in UMG, IFP grooves with music industry giants. They've got a 5.37% slice of Vivendi and hold 9.1% of Warner Music Group's voting stock! Clearly, IFP is putting your favorite concert tickets on the 'hot' list.
Meanwhile, the music business is buzzing with drama! Investor Bill Ackman sold a chunk of UMG shares in 2025, passing the mic to new investors, and now IFP is rocking the shareholder scene. On another note, French mogul Vincent Bolloré's Vivendi drama unfolds with a spicy legal battle adding flavor to this musical saga.
What’s next for Universal? They’ve confidentially filed for a possible US stock exchange listing but their share price has taken a little tumble – down 10% this year and 30% in the past 12 months. But with IFP in the mix, there could be some serious hits to watch out for!