The goal is to go down to 33,5% of Banca Mps and for now the Foundation of the same Sienese institution is succeeding. In fact, the strategic sale of its shares continues, continuing "primarily in negotiations with other potential strategic counterparties and in off-market sales operations (so-called block sales) in order to maximize the strategic and economic value of the sale", reads a note from the 'body.
On Saturday, the Foundation announced that the Aleotti family, owner of the pharmaceutical group Menarini, bought 4% of Banca Mps for 150 million euro. In this way the two Florentine brothers, Lucia and Alberto Giovanni have become the second shareholders of the institution, behind the Foundation, which has now fallen below 41%, and ahead of Axa (2,05%) and Unicoop Firenze (2,42% ).
To date, therefore, the Foundation has sold 8,2% of its original stake of 49,01% at an average price of 0,376 euro. He now controls just under 40% of the bank, but is continuing to sell shares to blocks and is negotiating to further reduce his stake to a maximum of 33,5%.
According to a source close to MPS, the Foundation has already raised "over 550 million euros" through the sale of the various equity investments: over half of the debt afflicting the institution amounting to 900 million. However, FMps has yet to sell the stake in Fontanafredda, which is worth around 30 million, and that in Matteo Arpe's private equity fund Sator.
Again according to the source quoted by Reuters, the Foundation's objective is "to reduce the debt up to 300-400 million and keep around 200 million for the needs of the same". So he still has to sell 6% of Mps to collect a little more than 250 million and reach his target.
As regards the rumors on the intention to proceed with an accelerated placement of the shares on the market (ABB), the Foundation has denied in a note.
The Banca Mps share lost 0,99% at mid-morning to 0,3498 euros per share.
