Key facts
- US firm Firstcash is acquiring UK pawnbroker Ramsdens for £206 million.
- The acquisition will lead to Ramsdens delisting from London's AIM market.
- Shareholders will receive up to 609p per share, a 35% premium over the latest closing price.
- Ramsdens reported a 62% revenue increase to £83.7m and a 173% surge in pre-tax profit to £16.7m.
- Firstcash, valued at over $10 billion, aims to expand its UK footprint.
US-based Firstcash has agreed to acquire UK pawnbroker Ramsdens for £206 million, a move that will result in Ramsdens delisting from London's junior stock market, AIM. The offer values the retailer at 609p per share, representing a 35% premium over its latest closing price and a 24% premium over its all-time high closing price.
The Ramsdens board plans to unanimously recommend the deal to its shareholders. Firstcash, which boasts a market capitalization exceeding $10 billion, stated its intention to leverage the acquisition to expand its presence in the UK, following its acquisition of rival H&T last year.
Ramsdens has experienced significant growth, particularly benefiting from a boom in gold prices over the past year, which saw its stock price climb over 60% in 2025. In the latest financial year, the company's revenue increased by 62% to £83.7 million, up from £51.6 million the previous year. Jewellery retail was a strong contributor, with revenue up 26% to £26.1 million. This performance contributed to a substantial 173% surge in pre-tax profit, reaching a record £16.7 million.
This takeover marks another instance of companies delisting from AIM. Last week, luxury cinema chain Everyman announced plans to delist due to shareholder pressure, including from an investment firm considering a takeover bid. Everyman's stock has fallen nearly 80% in the last five years, with a significant portion of shareholders reportedly favoring a London Stock Exchange exit.