S& P 500 hits all time highs U.S.-Japan trade deal optimism
Investing.com -- Czech investment firm PPF launched a bid on Monday to increase its stake in Prosiebensat 1 (ETR:PSMGn) to just under 30%, positioning itself against the takeover ambitions of the Berlusconi-backed MFE-MediaForEurope (BIT:MFEB).
Shares in ProSiebenSat.1 soared nearly 18% in Frankfurt trading following the news.
In a statement, PPF said it plans to acquire up to 29.99% of the German broadcaster by offering €7 ($7.85) per share for no-par value shares. The group currently holds 14.94%, making it the second-largest shareholder behind MFE, which raised its stake to 30.14% following a March takeover offer.
PPF CEO Jiri Smejc had said earlier this month the group was evaluating MFE’s offer before deciding how to proceed, but confirmed its intention to take a more active role in ProSiebenSat.1.
Following the partial tender, PPF said it would pursue additional seats on the broadcaster’s supervisory board.
PPF chief investment officer Didier Stoessel said this would allow it “to more actively support the ProSiebenSat.1 management with our experience, namely in the digital revitalization of linear TV business models.”
The proposed €7 offer price represents a 17% premium over ProSiebenSat.1’s closing price on Friday and a 21% premium compared to MFE’s €4.48 per-share offer, according to PPF.
ProSiebenSat.1’s executive board expressed support for the proposal, saying it will “provide shareholders, who prefer to monetize their investment short-term, with a better all-cash alternative to the public takeover offer published by MFE.”