Mediobanca, acting as an intermediary on behalf of FSI Holding 2, the private equity fund of Maurizio Tamagnini, announced this morning that it has concluded the purchase of 25 million ordinary shares of Soul Holding, equal to about 7,2% of the share capital, through a reverse accelerated bookbuilding procedure. The consideration for the purchase of the shares is equal to 4,35 euro per share, for a total outlay of about 108,7 million. As stated in a note, FSI does not intend to promote any takeover bid in the next 12 months.
The merchant bank headed by Albert Nagel had already announced the launch of the operation yesterday evening, anticipating that the investor intended to purchase a minimum of 7% and up to a maximum of 9% of the company's shares.
Il title Anima closed yesterday at 4,05 euros for 1,38 billion, since the beginning of the year it has gained more than 7,3%. This morning, at the start of the session, Anima jumped by around 6% to 4,28 euros, to then retreat slightly, maintaining a rise of more than 5%. The settlement of the transaction will take place on February 17th.
Board renewal
Il new partner enters a delicate period for the corporate life of Anima. In about a week, the 24 February, the deadline for the presentation of the lists for the renewal of the board of directors will expire. The top management of the company will then have to be renewed by the assembly convened for 21 March and the major shareholders will be responsible for choosing the new directors. To submit a roster of names should be Bpm bank (leading shareholder with 20,6%), Post (11%) and Assogestioni who had already expressed the board of Anima in the last renewal. Instead Amundi it should stand still. In fact, the French group has often repeated that the 5,16% stake acquired last year has a purely financial value and is part of the normal activity of an asset manager. However, rumors remain on the market that speak of Amundi's interest in Anima. Especially after the agreement between Unicredit and Azimut made the partnership between Piazza Gae Aulenti and the French giant shaky, expiring in 2027.
