PARIS — French media group Vivendi said Tuesday that it has no interest in selling its stake in Telecom Italia following a buyout offer from US private equity fund KKR.
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The public tender offer by New York-based Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for Telecom Italia’s entire share capital sent the stock price of the former public telephone operator soaring on Monday.
But a spokesman for Vivendi told AFP on Tuesday that “it has no intention of ceding its participation in Telecom Italia.”
Vivendi is the largest shareholder in Telecom Italia with a nearly one-quarter stake.
“Vivendi has been a long-term shareholder in Telecom Italia from the start and reiterates its desire to work with the Italian authorities and public institutions to ensure the long-term success of Telecom Italia.”
The share price of Telecom Italia, which were about 2 percent lower in midday trading in Milan, recovered to trade flat at 0.45 euros after the Vivendi announcement.
Telecom Italia has said that KKR’s initial offer is for 0.505 euros a share.
Italy’s economy ministry welcomed the interest by KKR as “positive news for the country” over the weekend and said a working group would be formed to study the matter.
The ministry said it was necessary to ensure that such a project would be compatible with the rollout of ultra-wideband in the country.
Any sale would need the approval from government stakeholders, as Telecom Italia’s network is considered a national strategic asset.
Telecom Italia has said the proposal was subject to around four weeks of due diligence and would require the backing of holders of least 51 percent of both ordinary and savings shares.
KKR already has a 37.5 percent stake in FiberCop, a joint venture with Telecom Italia and Italian internet provider Fastweb to provide fiber optic broadband across Italy.
The takeover proposal comes amid news reports that shareholders are putting pressure on Telecom Italia’s top management following disappointing company results.
A spokesman for Vivendi has earlier denied it was in discussions with any funds.
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