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☆ French IT firm Atos falls 12%, faces major share dilution after selecting rescue deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This photograph taken on April 26, 2024 shows the headquarters of the French multinational information technology company ATOS in Bezons, near Paris. Atos said it would go ahead with a proposal by major shareholder David Layani, whose IT firm Onepoint held around 11% of Atos' share capital and voting rights as of December 2023 according to its website. The deal will nevertheless lead to a "massive dilution" of existing shareholders, who are set to hold less than 0.1% of share capital once it is completed, Atos said. Atos said Layani's deal included a stronger capital structure and provided the firm with enough financial liquidity to stay in business. Layani's deal is fronted by Onepoint, as well as investment company Butler Industries, IT company Econocom and some of Atos' financial creditors.

Persons: Ludovic MARIN, LUDOVIC MARIN, Atos, David Layani, Onepoint, Daniel Kretinsky Organizations: Getty, Butler Industries, Paris Locations: Bezons, Paris, AFP, French, London, Czech

☆ Atos falls 18% as embattled French IT firms weighs rescue deals set to result in 'massive dilution'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

This photograph taken on April 26, 2024 shows the headquarters of the French multinational information technology company ATOS in Bezons, near Paris. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)Shares of the struggling French IT firm Atos tumbled on Monday as the company weighs between two rescue deals both set to lead to "massive dilution" of existing shareholders. The two restructuring deals on the table are led by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and key Atos shareholder David Layani. "The implementation of the proposals will result in all cases in a massive dilution of the existing shareholders of Atos SE," Atos said in a statement on Monday. The company said it was working with financial creditors to secure maximum support for one of the deals by June 5, aiming to reach final agreement on restructuring in July.

Persons: Ludovic MARIN, LUDOVIC MARIN, Atos, Daniel Kretinsky, David Layani Organizations: Getty, Atos Locations: Bezons, Paris, AFP, London, Czech

☆ Royal Mail owner agrees to ₤3.6 billion takeover by Czech billionaire Kretinsky
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Royal Mail's parent company International Distributions Services said on Wednesday it had agreed to a 3.57 billion pound ($4.55 billion) formal takeover offer by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. The offer valued IDS, which owns Royal Mail and international parcels network GLS, at 370 pence per share. Royal Mail has been trying to transform itself into a parcel-led business as letter volumes declined sharply over the years. Kretinsky has said that private investment in Royal Mail was crucial given its challenging situation with poor service delivery, slow transformation and increasing competition. Any takeover bid for Royal Mail would be subject to "normal" national security scrutiny but it would not be opposed in principle, Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt said earlier.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Keith Williams, Kretinsky, Jeremy Hunt, Jonathan Reynolds Organizations: International, Services, Royal Mail, Service, Government, IDS, Labour, VESA Equity Locations: Czech, London

☆ Britain’s Royal Mail has been bought by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský for $4.5 billion
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The owner of Royal Mail has accepted a £3.5 billion ($4.5 billion) takeover bid from Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský, paving the way for the sale of one of Britain’s oldest and most iconic institutions to a foreign owner for the first time. The deal follows a torrid few years for Royal Mail, which was privatized in 2013. “Royal Mail is as British as it gets, and Labour will take the necessary steps to safeguard its undeniable identity and place in public life,” he wrote in the letter, which he posted on X. A low-profile Czech national, Křetínský made his fortune through a sprawling empire of European energy companies, retailers and football clubs. He is worth an estimated $7.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, and owns a 27% stake in West Ham United Football Club.

Persons: Daniel Křetínský, Křetínský’s, Jonathan Reynolds, ”, Křetínský Organizations: London CNN, Royal Mail, Distribution Services, Labour Party, Conservative, Labour, Royal, Bloomberg, West Ham United Football Club Locations: Czech, United Kingdom, West

☆ Royal Mail: Meet Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský who wants to buy Britain’s postal service
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It has been operating a postal service in England since the reign of Henry VIII. EP Group has until May 29 to convert its £3.5 billion ($4.4 billion) non-biding offer into a formal bid for IDS. The likely sale would come after a difficult few years for Royal Mail, which was privatized in 2013. ‘As British as it gets’The potential buyout of Royal Mail has stirred anxieties about the consequences of the iconic British institution coming under foreign ownership. “Royal Mail is an important national asset that would benefit from being able to take a longer-term view,” the firm said.

Persons: Henry VIII, Daniel Křetínský, Křetínský, Patrik Tkáč, Rishi Sunak, Kemi Badenoch, Dave Ward, ”, ” Ward, Jonathan Reynolds, ” Ivana Kottasová Organizations: London CNN — Royal Mail, Distribution Services, IDS, Royal Mail, UK Department for Business, Trade, CNN, Bloomberg, Equity Investment, Newsweek, West Ham United Football Club, Reuters, Communication Workers Union, Labour Party, Royal, Labour Locations: England, Czech, British, United States, FNAC, France, United Kingdom, West

☆ Royal Mail owner IDS set to agree $4.4 bln Kretinsky takeover bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

IDS owns UK's Royal Mail, which is loss making, and international parcels network GLS. Royal Mail was privatised in 2013 in one of Britain's biggest state sell-offs in decades. It is expected the commitment to offer these contractual undertakings to the British government would be reflected in the cooperation agreement between the parties if a firm offer is made, it added. EP Group now has until May 29 to make a formal offer or walk away. EP is a 100% shareholder in VESA Equity investment which owns Kretinsky's IDS stake of nearly 28%.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Keith Williams Organizations: International, Services, IDS, Royal Mail, UK's, Royal, National Security and Investment, Reuters, Equity Locations: Czech, London, Britain, British

☆ France moves to rescue Atos as former IT crown jewel struggles to stay afloat
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This photograph taken on April 26, 2024 shows the headquarters of the French multinational information technology company ATOS in Bezons, near Paris. The offer was based on an indicative enterprise valuation between 700 million euros ($750 million) and 1 billion euros as part of the offer, the firm said. "There are within Atos sovereign activities that must remain under the exclusive control of France," he said, according to a CNBC translation. Atos' net debt stood at 3.9 billion euros at the end of the first quarter, the company said earlier this month. Shares in Atos jumped as much as 19% on the news of the French government's offer early on Monday, and were last up by 22.01% at 11:57 a.m. London time.

Persons: Ludovic MARIN, LUDOVIC MARIN, Bruno Le Maire, Le Maire, Daniel Kretinsky, Atos Organizations: Getty Images, CNBC, Reuters, Airbus, Paris Locations: Bezons, Paris, AFP, French, France, Atos, London

The logo of Atos is seen on a company building in Nantes, France, March 11, 2022. It is also in advanced negotiations with Kretinsky's EP Equity Investment (EPEI) vehicle to "modify and simplify" some terms of its proposed 2 billion euro ($2.11 billion) sale of Tech Foundations, the group said. AlphaValue analyst Helene Coumes attributed the drop to "the endless uncertainty on the deal on Tech Foundations, the financing issues and how the change of some terms of the agreement will be favorable for the minority shareholders". The Tech Foundations deal would also see Kretinsky take a 7.5% stake in the group's cybersecurity unit Eviden, which is what would be left of Atos. Reporting by Diana Mandiá; Editing by Kirsten Donovan, Robert Birsel and Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Daniel Kretinsky, Helene Coumes, Atos, Diana Mandiá, Kirsten Donovan, Robert Birsel, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Tech Foundations, Kretinsky's, Equity Investment, Tech, Thomson Locations: Nantes, France, Czech, Atos

☆ France's Casino is looking to sell more supermarkets, Les Echos reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Heavily indebted French supermarket group Casino (CASP.PA) is preparing to sell more supermarkets to Intermarche, a unit of Groupement Les Mousquetaires, or even put its remaining stores for sale to the highest bidder, daily Les Echos said in its Monday edition. Casino already received expressions of interest for its remaining 291 supermarkets, including 60 franchises, and 52 large-scale hypermarkets, the daily said. It warned last week of likely 2023 losses for its core French business due to a slower-than-expected turnaround at its hypermarkets division. Candidates for a takeover must submit their offer by Wednesday, Les Echos said. Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide and Claude Chendjou; Editing by David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Les, Les Echos, France's, Daniel Kretinsky, Sybille de La Hamaide, Claude Chendjou, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: aÊCasinoÊsupermarket, Nantes, France, Czech

Steel coils are waiting for delivery at the storage and distribution facility of German steel maker ThyssenKrupp in Duisburg, Germany, November 16, 2023. As a result of the impairment, Thyssenkrupp, which has been trying to divest its steel division for several years, posted a 2-billion-euro net loss for the fourth quarter. Shares of the company, which proposed a stable dividend of 0.15 euros apiece, were indicated to open 1.8% lower in pre-market trade. Thyssenkrupp - which apart from steel builds submarines, car parts and operates a large materials trading business - said it was in constructive and open-ended talks with EPH about a potential steel joint venture. EPH, controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, would support Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe with its energy expertise in any joint venture, the company said.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Miguel Lopez, Daniel Kretinsky, Thyssenkrupp, Christoph Steitz, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Sandra Maler, Miranda Murray, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: REUTERS, Wednesday, EPH, Thyssenkrupp Steel, Thomson Locations: Duisburg, Germany, FRANKFURT, DUESSELDORF, Czech, Europe

☆ Upstart steals march on Atos’s M&A battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Atos (ATOS.PA) may have found a helper, and potential acquirer. Smaller rival Onepoint said on Wednesday that it had bought a 9.9% stake in the ailing French IT company. Mustier is trying to implement a plan devised before he took over, which will see Atos split into two entities. Its 10% stake will have cost no more than 70 million euros. If a 900 million euro rights issue included in the split plan is confirmed, the total outlay for the stake will be about 160 million euros.

Persons: Atos, Sarah Meyssonnier, Onepoint, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Daniel Kretinsky, Mustier, Pierre Briançon, Aston Martin, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, French IT, Airbus, Pfizer, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, French, Czech, Orange, cybersecurity

☆ Debt-ridden retailer Casino Q3 sales down 5.3% as France weighs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A logo of French retailer?Casino?is pictured on a shopping trolley outside a?Casino?supermarket in Nantes, France, May 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Debt-burdened retailer Casino (CASP.PA) said on Tuesday group sales fell 5.3% in the third quarter, as weakness in its core French market outpaced robust growth in Brazil. Consolidated group net sales fell 5.3% on a same-store basis in the third quarter to 4.562 billion euros ($4.83 billion), the retailer said in a statement. Last week, Casino reported French retail sales fell 5.6% in the third quarter year on year on a same-store basis, reflecting an 18.6% fall in hypermarket sales and an 11.5% fall in supermarket sales. At September-end, Casino's group net debt stood at 6.2 billion euros, of which 5.6 billion euros was in France and 600 million euros in Brazil.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Daniel Kretinsky, France's, Dominique Vidalon, Tassilo Hummel, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Consolidated, Casino, Thomson Locations: Nantes, France, Brazil, Czech

☆ France's Atos posts lower Q3 revenue dragged by Tech Foundations unit
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Atos is seen on a company building in Nantes, France, March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - French IT company Atos (ATOS.PA) on Thursday reported lower third-quarter revenue as good performance at its Eviden division was offset by the loss-making Tech Foundations unit. Atos is in talks to sell its legacy IT division, dubbed Tech Foundations, to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, which would end its initial turnaround plan to split the group into two listed entities. Atos posted quarterly revenue of 2.59 billion euros ($2.73 billion) for the whole group, down 3% organically and 5.3% on a constant currency basis from 2.82 billion euros last year. It still expects cash burn for the year to be about 1 billion euros.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Daniel Kretinsky, Yves Bernaert, Atos, Michal Aleksandrowicz, Milla Nissi Organizations: REUTERS, IT, Tech, supercomputing, Thomson Locations: Nantes, France, French, Czech, Eviden, Gdansk

☆ Atos shares plunge as nationalisation calls threaten planned Kretinsky deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Atos (ATOS.PA) shares plunged on Monday after calls from opposition lawmakers for the nationalisation of the ailing IT firm on national security grounds raised doubts about a planned deal involving Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. Asked by Reuters if the government was considering nationalisation, or could support an amendment to do so, a finance ministry source replied "no". Lawmakers from Les Republicains said the deal threatened to allow French supercomputers, made by Atos and used for virtual nuclear tests, to fall into foreign hands. Others, including Brun, have said critical Atos components were also used in combat systems used by France's navy and air force. Atos had also won a contract to process data for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Persons: Atos, Sarah Meyssonnier, Daniel Kretinsky, Olivier Marleix, Socialist Philippe Brun, Philippe Brun, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Les Republicains, Brun, Leigh Thomas, Mathieu Rosemain, Tassilo Hummel, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Les Republicans, Socialist, Atos, Reuters, supercomputing, Paris, National Assembly, Thomson Locations: Paris, France

☆ Jean-Pierre Mustier enters Atos last chance saloon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Atos (ATOS.PA) is ending its long-running governance farce by starting at the top. Former UniCredit (CRDI.MI) CEO Jean-Pierre Mustier is taking over as chairman of the 540 million euro French IT group. Mustier, who led a recapitalisation for UniCredit in 2017, has his work cut out. On Monday, Atos also delayed the split until the second quarter of 2024, sending its shares down as much as 4%. Atos’s growing cybersecurity unit Evidian, which accounts for two-thirds of its current operating profit, will remain listed after the split.

Persons: Jean, Pierre Mustier, Mustier, Atos, Daniel Kretinsky, Pierre Briancon, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, HSBC, UBS, X, Infosys, Thomson Locations: UniCredit, Czech, Europe

☆ French retailer Casino finalises rescue deal led by Czech tycoon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Dominique Vidalon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A logo of French retailer Casino is pictured outside a Casino supermarket in Nantes, France, May 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 5 (Reuters) - French supermarket group Casino (CASP.PA) said on Thursday that it had finalised a deal to avert bankruptcy through a debt restructuring agreed with its main creditors, led by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. Casino was brought to the verge of default after years of debt-fuelled acquisitions and recent losses in market share to rival supermarket operators. It said the binding debt deal was reached with the consortium led by Kretinsky's company EPGC alongside Casino's biggest creditor Attestor, its second-biggest shareholder Fimalac and the retailer's secured creditors. "Casino has reached a major milestone in its financial restructuring process by obtaining the agreement of its main creditors on a financial restructuring plan," Casino CEO and controlling shareholder Jean-Charles Naouri said in a statement.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Daniel Kretinsky, Jean, Charles Naouri, Naouri, Dominique Vidalon, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Casino's, Fimalac, Thomson Locations: Nantes, France, Czech

☆ Casino shares suspended, news on debt deal expected soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Dominique Vidalon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A logo of French retailer Casino is pictured outside a Casino supermarket in Nantes, France, May 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Shares in French retailer Casino (CASP.PA) were suspended on Wednesday pending a statement, boosting speculation a final debt restructuring deal with creditors led by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky to avert bankruptcy could be imminent. The deal, which massively dilutes shareholders, would bring an end to the 30-year reign of Casino CEO and controlling shareholder Jean-Charles Naouri, 74, who controls Casino via his listed holding company Rallye. On Sept. 29, Casino extended the deadline to Oct. 3, fuelling expectations an announcement was to come this week. The consortium led by Kretinsky would end up owning between 50.4% and 53% of Casino shares.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Daniel Kretinsky, Jean, Charles Naouri, Kretinsky, Dominique Vidalon, Tassilo Hummel, Mark Potter, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Casino, Casino's, Thomson Locations: Nantes, France, Czech, France's

☆ Xavier Niel buys Czech investor Kretinsky's stake in Le Monde
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Xavier Niel, founder of French broadband Internet provider Iliad, arrives for a hearing on the concentration of media ownership in the country, at the French Senate in Paris, France, February 18, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies NJJ Presse SASU FollowPARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - NJJ Presse, a holding of French telecoms maverick Xavier Niel, has purchased Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's stake in daily Le Monde and committed to transferring this and its existing stake to a fund defending press freedom, it said on Saturday. Finance tycoon Matthieu Pigasse, who had sold part of his stake in Le Monde to Kretinsky, will also put his shares in the fund, NJJ said. The Financial Times had reported shortly before that an agreement was close on a buyout of the shares of the Czech energy magnate, a transaction worth around 50 million euros. ($1 = 0.9388 euros)Reporting by Gilles Guillaume and Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Alexandra HudsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Xavier Niel, Sarah Meyssonnier, Daniel Kretinsky's, NJJ, Matthieu Pigasse, Gilles Guillaume, Sybille de La, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: French, REUTERS, Le Monde, NJJ Presse, NJJ, Fund, Reuters . Finance, Financial Times, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, NJJ, Czech, Le, NJJ Presse

☆ French lawmakers raise strategic concerns over Atos sale to Kretinsky
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Atos is seen on a company building in Nantes, France, March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File PhotoPARIS, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Talks to sell parts of French company Atos (ATOS.PA) to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky are raising concerns among some French lawmakers, who say the deal risks undermining the independence of France's nuclear deterrence. Lawmakers cannot block a sale of a French company, only the government can if it considers there is a strategic reason for doing so. The lawmakers questioned why an alternative French buyer, a consortium of French companies Astek and ChapsVision, who were reported in French media to have been interested, were not given more consideration. A source close to Astek said Atos's cybersecurity business also hosted other sensitive assets crucial to French intelligence interests.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Daniel Kretinsky, Atos, Thursday's, Figaro, Cedric Perrin, Kretinsky, Perrin, Astek, Atos's, Michel Rose, Mathieu Rosemain, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Les, Kretinsky, Casino, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Nantes, France, Czech, Europe

The talks, announced with Kretinsky's EP Equity Investment (EPEI) vehicle, come on top of a 900 million-euro share-sale plan, aimed at further shoring up Atos' balance sheet, the company said. The expected sale would bring in 100 million euros in cash and cut 1.9 billion euros worth of liabilities from the tech company's balance sheet, Atos said. It gives an enterprise value of 2 billion euros to the sold division, named Tech Foundations. Tech Foundations, whose activities generated 4.5 billion euros of revenue last year, offers infrastructure management services. Following the sale of the tech unit, Atos will still rename as Eviden.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Atos, Nathalie Senechault, Paul Saleh, Mathieu Rosemain, Sudip Kar, Edmund Klamann, Sharon Singleton Organizations: PARIS, Kretinsky's, Equity Investment, Tech Foundations, Tech, Casino, Thomson Locations: Czech, Paris, French, France

Atos also said on Tuesday that it plans a 900 million-euro share sale to further shore up its balance sheet. The company said 180 million euros of the shares in the capital raise would be reserved for EPEI, giving it a 7.5% stake in Eviden. The sale of the remaining 720 million euros of new shares will be underwritten by BNP Paribas and JP Morgan, the company said. The expected sale would bring in 100 million euros in cash and cut 1.9 billion euros worth of liabilities from the tech company's balance sheet, Atos said. The sale gives an enterprise value of 2 billion euros to the sold division, which generated 4.5 billion euros of core revenue last year and employs 52,000 people.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Atos, JP Morgan, Nathalie Senechault, Paul Saleh, Mathieu Rosemain, Sudip Kar, Edmund Klamann, Sharon Singleton Organizations: PARIS, Casino, Tech Foundations, Equity Investment, BNP, Thomson Locations: Czech, Europe, France, Eviden

SummaryCompanies Casino cut supermarket food prices by 10% on averagePARIS, July 27 (Reuters) - Cash-strapped retailer Casino (CASP.PA) swung to a loss of 233 million euros ($258.5 million) for the first half as falling sales and price cuts at its hypermarkets and supermarkets dented its core French business. The French retailer's group operating loss came after a profit of 166 million euros in the first half of 2022, with its operations in France posting a loss of 299 million euros. Consolidated group net sales fell 1.2% like for like in the second quarter to 5.5 billion euros, with retail sales in France down 4.2%. "We don't intend to go further," Lubek said when asked about possible further price cuts. Group net debt at end June-2023 was 6.1 billion euros against 6.0 billion at end June-2022.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Jean, Charles Naouri, David Lubek, Lubek, France's, Dominique Vidalon, Kim Coghill Organizations: Casino, Finance, Consolidated, Thomson Locations: PARIS, French, France, Lincoln

☆ Factbox: Corporate debt woes are on the rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Size of debt: 14 billion pounds ($18.33 billion). The firm said earlier in July shareholders would provide 750 million pounds, but warned it would need an extra 2.5 billion pounds between 2025-2030. Size of debt: 6.4 billion euros ($7.19 billion) in net debt. What's at stake: Casino faces 3 billion euros of debt repayments in the next two years, with rating agencies Moody's and Standard & Poor's warning a default is likely. Deadlines to watch: Casino aims to secure an agreement with creditors by July 27.

Persons: Toby Melville, What's, Jean, Charles Naouri, Casino, Daniel Kretinsky, Kretinsky, Chiara Elisei, Dhara, Christina Fincher Organizations: Thames, REUTERS, Water, Casino, SBB, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, LONDON, Sweden, France, England, Czech, Brookfield, Spain, Barcelona

It leaves Kretinsky, who submitted a revised offer over the weekend proposing the equity injection, as the only bidder. The cash injection plan would lead to a 4.7 billion-euro reduction in overall debt, Casino said. Casino is saddled with net debt of 6.4 billion euros and is teetering on the brink of default. The board meeting followed a separate meeting between Casino's creditors and CIRI - France's finance ministry body that helps distressed companies and their creditors draw up restructuring plans. Kretinsky and Ladreit de Lacharriere would control the investment vehicle behind the 1.2 billion-euro equity injection, a source said.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Kretinsky's, Xavier Niel, Jean, Charles Naouri, Kretinsky, Niel, Matthieu Pigasse, Moez, Alexandre Zouari, Casino, Marc Ladreit de, Ladreit, Mathieu Rosemain, Mike Harrison, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Casino, 3F, Attestor, French, Monde, Fnac, Metro, Forbes, Thomson Locations: Czech, PARIS, French, Paris, Casino, Britain, France, Germany

☆ Czech billionaire Kretinsky closes in on Casino after 3F abandons bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kretinsky has been vying to take control of Casino against the 3F Holding group, led by telecoms entrepreneur Xavier Niel, investment banker Matthieu Pigasse and businessman Moez-Alexandre Zouari. The group is saddled with net debt of 6.4 billion euros ($7.1 billion) and is teetering on the brink of default. "Today, after months of work, 3F has decided to not submit an offer," 3F said in a statement. Along with Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière’s Fimalac, he would inject 1.2 billion euros ($1.35 billion) in equity to take a 53% stake in France's sixth-largest retailer. The bidders would also convert 4.9 billion euros of debt into equity.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Kretinsky, Xavier Niel, Matthieu Pigasse, Moez, Alexandre Zouari, 3F's, Marc Ladreit de, Fimalac, Casino, John Irish, David Holmes, Emelia Organizations: Casino, 3F, Attestor, Financial, Global Commerce, Financial Times, Thomson Locations: Czech, France's, Casino

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