What is the size and nature of the disclosed position by Weiss Asset Management LP in Spectris plc?

Disclosed position

• Who disclosed it? Weiss Asset Management LP – acting as the investment manager for Brookdale International Partners, L.P. and the Brookdale Global Opportunity Fund.
  
• What was disclosed? A equity holding in Spectris plc that meets the “1 % or more” threshold that triggers a Rule 8.3 disclosure under the UK Takeover Code.
  
• Size of the holding The filing states that the holding represents at least 1 % of Spectris plc’s voting‑right‑eligible shares. The exact number of shares (or the precise percentage above 1 %) is not given in the excerpt, but the requirement to file a Form 8.3 means the holding cannot be below the 1 % floor.
  
• Nature of the position The disclosure is a long (ownership) position – there is no mention of a short‑selling or derivative exposure. The reference to “owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different” is simply a standard clause in the form; in this case the disclosed interest is a straightforward shareholding.

What this means

• Weiss Asset Management LP (through its Brookdale vehicles) now publicly acknowledges that it is a material shareholder of Spectris plc, holding a stake that is large enough to potentially influence voting outcomes and that must be reported to the market under the Takeover Code.
• The filing satisfies the regulatory requirement that any person who acquires 1 % or more of a UK‑listed company’s voting rights must make a public opening‑position disclosure (Form 8.3).

Bottom line

Weiss Asset Management LP disclosed a long equity position in Spectris plc amounting to at least 1 % of the company’s voting‑right‑eligible shares. No short‑position or derivative exposure was disclosed.