Paris (AFP)
The French fund Ardian announced Thursday that it wanted to form a consortium of investors to buy from Engie its 29.9% in Suez, a stake already coveted by Veolia whose offer of 3.4 billion euros was received "favorably" by the energy group on Wednesday evening.
Arguing the "support" of the giant board of directors of Suez and the director representing the employees, Ardian said in a press release that he had informed Engie of his "interest" in taking shares in the services giant. 'environment.
"Ardian wishes to form a consortium of private and public institutional investors, predominantly French, to carry out this project and launch a friendly public offer," he said in his press release.
On Wednesday evening, the prospect of an agreement between Veolia and Engie on the sale of the latter's shares in Suez had however drawn closer, the two groups nevertheless giving themselves until Monday to refine the details of a transaction at 3, 4 billion euros
At the end of a long board of directors, a few hours before the expiry of Veolia's offer, the energy company had said to welcome "favorably" the improved terms of this one for the 29.9% of the capital. de Suez which he owns.
Engie had however asked Veolia "to extend the validity of its new offer until October 5, 2020 so that Veolia formalizes its unconditional commitment not to launch a takeover bid that is not friendly", a request that has been accepted.
Suez, which strongly opposes the maneuver of its direct competitor, did not react Wednesday evening.
He had so far been unable to mount an alternative offer with investors in order to maintain his independence.
The Ardian fund says it "manages and / or advises" for $ 100 billion of private investments in Europe, America and Asia.
The company, historically linked to the insurer Axa, is majority owned by its employees.
© 2020 AFP