The media group, which counts as the first shareholder Vincent Bolloré, offers several possibilities to the shareholders of Lagardère to bring their titles.
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Put the small dishes in the big ones and open the cords of the stock market to attract the barge. This is the strategy adopted on Monday, February 21 by Vivendi, which finally launched its takeover bid (OPA) on Lagardère, six months after advertising. The group of media, owner of TV channels (Canal +, C8, CNEWS) and Editis publisher, deploys an ambitious and complex strategy to convince the shareholders of Lagardère (Hachette, Europe 1, the Sunday newspaper, Paris Match or the Relay stores) to bring their titles to its offer.
First, Vivendi confirmed the price – at 25.50 euros -, or 1.40 euro more than announced in September 2021. At that date, the group, whose first shareholder is Vincent Bolloré, had offered some 610 million euros to seize the 17.5% held by Amber Capital. In a hurry to disengage, the activist fund had forced him to buy his participation. Vivendi then found with 45% of the capital of Lagardère, and then had to announce an OPA on the rest of the group.
If, six months later, he decided to offer an additional bonus to the holders of securities, is that since, brought by the economic recovery, Lagardère improved his results: in 2021, his annual loss has has been reduced to 101 million euros, much less than the 688 million deficit recorded in 2020.
remains to know how the Lagardère shareholders will react. Arnaud Lagardère (11% of the capital), said before the Senate Inquiry Committee on the concentration of the media on February 17, which he wished to remain, and that he even considered to increase his stake to 15%. A symbolic gesture that will not change the status of Jean-Luc’s heir in the new set. If he succeeds his OPA, Vivendi will have any leisure to absorb Lagardère, and to do without the services of Arnaud Lagardère if he wishes.
Several proposals made to the shareholders of Lagardère
At this point, neither Qatar (11.5% Lagardère), nor Bernard Arnault (9.97%) communicated on their intentions. The billionaire of luxury had marked its willingness to detach from Arnaud Lagardère, breaking a bilateral shareholder pact for the spring of 2020. At the time, the heir had called him for the hope of resisting In the invading Vincent Bolloré. Two years later, the wind turned between the two men.
The desire to squeeze the shareholders of Lagardère, Vincent Bolloré, who officially retired on February 17, now makes several proposals. Those wishing to benefit from the 25.50 euros will have to make their titles between April 14 and May 20, 2022. Those who hesitate – and this is all the originality of the procedure – will have the opportunity to raise the hand and s ‘Engage to sell, but they will be able to wait for the best time by December 31, 2023, while being sure to benefit from a guaranteed price at 24.10 euros. This system has been imagined to reassure holders of securities that think that the supply of Vivendi is undervaluated, and that the Lagardère course can still increase. Shareholders who do not manifest itself at all the risk of seeing the course. By adopting this method, Vivendi hopes to quickly know the result of the races, and multiply its chances of success.
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