Billionaire Bill Ackman Makes $65 Billion Bid to Acquire Universal Music Group
American billionaire Bill Ackman has proposed a $65 billion acquisition of Universal Music Group, the record label representing global stars like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny. His investment firm Pershing Square Capital Management already holds 4.5 percent of UMG shares. The deal would merge UMG with Pershing Square and transfer its listing from the Amsterdam stock exchange to New York. Ackman believes the New York exchange offers greater potential to increase the company's value. Universal Music Group is currently publicly traded in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Key facts
- Bill Ackman made a $65 billion offer to acquire Universal Music Group
- Universal Music Group represents artists including Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny
- Pershing Square Capital Management already owns 4.5% of UMG shares
- The deal proposes merging UMG with Pershing Square
- UMG is currently listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange
- The acquisition would transfer UMG's listing to the New York stock exchange
- Ackman believes New York listing offers better growth opportunities
- The offer was reported in April 2026
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Universal Music Group
- Pershing Square Capital Management
- Amsterdam stock exchange
- New York stock exchange
- Pershing Square
- Abbey Road Studios
- EMI
- Island Records
- Meta
- Amazon
- Restaurant Brands International
- Burger King
- AJ Bell
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- TikTok
- Bolloré Group
- New York Stock Exchange
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- New York
- United States