Countrywide & LSL confirm plot for property industry mega-merger
LSL and Countrywide - which operate around 1,000 estate agency branches between them, including Marsh & Parsons, Hamptons and John D Wood - are reported to be in "serious" discussions about merging. "Countrywide confirms that it is in discussions with LSL Property Services plc regarding a possible all-share combination," said the firm's Company Secretary this morning.
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