The FTSE 100 is going through an unprecedented period of change with a variety of corporate restructurings, spin-offs and takeovers.

Life insurer Prudential (PRU) is to break into two separately-listed companies, potentially by the end of 2019.

Shareholders will receive free shares in M&G Prudential which is the UK and European operations. The remaining business (essentially US and Asian operations) will continue to be listed as Prudential.

There is uncertainty over whether Unilever (ULVR) will remain in the FTSE 100 after the food and drink giant picked Rotterdam as its new headquarters, a move that could have implications for its qualification in the UK’s blue chip stock index.

RELX (REL) recently simplified its corporate structure and opted for London as its sole headquarters.

GKN (GKN) may find itself either taken over or broken up this year. We’ll have a better idea on 29 March which is the deadline to accept Melrose’s (MRO) takeover offer. GKN’s board would prefer to merge its automotive business with US peer Dana.

BHP Billiton (BLT) is thinking about spinning off its US shale oil and gas business as a separately-listed entity, subject to reviewing
trade bids later this year.

Comcast last month kicked off a bidding war for Sky (SKY) which was already subject to a takeover by 21st Century Fox. Smurfit Kappa (SKG) earlier this month rejected an offer from International Paper. (DC)

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