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Activist Investor Builds Stake in Universal Music

Provided by Dow Jones Feb 13, 2026, 10:45:00 AM

By Mauro Orru

Activist investor Independent Franchise Partners built a stake in Universal Music Group, according to a filing from the Dutch financial regulator.

The filing from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets shows that London-based Independent Franchise Partners now commands a stake and voting rights of just over 3% in the record label behind Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.

Independent Franchise Partners and Universal Music didn't respond to requests for comment.

The transaction makes Independent Franchise Partners the sixth largest shareholder in Universal Music, according to LSEG data. Vivendi, the conglomerate steered by the family of French billionaire Vincent Bollore, and Chinese internet company Tencent Holdings, are among the company's largest shareholders, according to LSEG data.

Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 13, 2026 05:45 ET (10:45 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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