Hochtief increases stake in Leighton to 55pc GERMANY'S Hochtief has increased its stake in Leighton to 55.0 per cent from 53.5 per cent, while indicating it wants to buy more shares in the Australian construction company. Leighton, however, attempted to ward off speculation that a takeover bid could be forthcoming. It said in a filing today that Hochtief had indicated to the company that it only wanted to buy more shares under Australia's so-called "creep" provisions.