Business and City Summary

MBOs dip in first quarter Management buyout activity in the first three months of the year was 'disappointing,' according to KPMG Corporate Finance.

Its latest statistical survey showed that there were 460 pounds 10m- plus MBOs in the UK, worth a total of pounds 640m, compared with 640 worth pounds 820m in the same period last year. The average value was higher, however, at pounds 51m against pounds 40m.

Airport property boost

BAA's properties are worth pounds 5bn, rather than the pounds 3bn shown in the balance sheet, according to the company's annual report. If a recent open-market valuation by Drivers Jonas, the chartered surveyors, had been incorporated in the financial statements, net asset value per share would have been increased from pounds 4.03 to pounds 8.05, the report says.

Irish-American move GPA, the hard-pressed Irish aircraft leasing group, and General Electric Capital Corporation have agreed the basis of a new company to provide management, service and technical services for GPA's aircraft. The company will be a GE Capital subsidiary. Tony Ryan, GPA's chairman, said the agreement was an important element in the company's restructuring.