Veolia, the world leader in water and waste, announced Thursday the launch of a capital increase of 2.5 billion euros intended to finance part of the acquisition of Suez, its historic rival.
The group, which currently holds 29.9% of the capital of Suez, launched at the end of July a takeover bid for the remaining 70.1%, for an amount of approximately 9 billion euros, in order to "
create the world champion of ecological transformation
”, after months of financial and media battles.
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Veolia-Suez: knowing how to end a war
"
The subscription price for the capital increase, in cash and with maintenance of preferential rights for Veolia shareholders, was set at 22.70 euros per new share, ie a "
discount of 19.1% compared to the theoretical value of the ex-right share based on the closing price
”of the share on Tuesday, Veolia said in a
press
release.
The subscription period for the new shares will extend from September 21 to October 1 and the results of the capital increase will be communicated on October 6 after the close of the stock market.
The listing period for preferential subscription rights will last from Friday to September 29.
This capital increase will "
strengthen the prospects of the new group and accelerate its development at a time when environmental concerns have never been so strong,
" said Antoine Frérot, CEO of Veolia, quoted in the press release. This transaction "
is part of a global financing plan also including the expected proceeds from the sale of the new Suez to the Consortium of investors made up of Meridiam, GIP and CDC / CNP Assurances for an enterprise value of 10.4 billion d. 'euros
', is it specified in the text. The public takeover bid must be finalized by “
the end of the year
”, in particular pending the authorization procedures of the competition authorities,adds the group.