US fund KKR interested in Italian telecoms giant TIM
ROME (AP) — The Italian telecommunications company TIM is assessing a non-binding “indication of interest” by the U.S. investment fund KKR to acquire the entire capital share, a potential 11 billion-euro deal.
Any agreement would need the OK of the Italian government.
TIM in a statement issued on Sunday evening says its board of directors met and “acknowledged” the fund’s interest in launching a possible public tender. The due diligence process is expected to take four weeks.
Although TIM is a private company quoted on the stock exchange, because it is considered a strategic asset for Italy, the Italian government can exercise its so-called “golden power” option to oppose any acquisition it considers wouldn’t be in the public’s interest.
TIM's statement said its board “acknowledged the intention” of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., to date qualified as “non-binding and indicative." TIM said that among conditions is a "minimum level of acceptance of 51%” for both ordinary and savings shares.
KKR's indication of interest was described by TIM as “friendly” and aimed at obtaining approval by TIM's directors and support by TIM's management.
The government is expected to evaluate KKR's interest keenly, especially with regard to any layoffs in TIM, a major Italian company.
The move by KKR comes as Premier Mario Draghi's government has pledged to use billions of euros in EU pandemic economic recovery funds to facilitate the country's digital transition.
TIM said the indication of interest foresees a indicative price, to be paid fully in cash, of 0.505 euros per ordinary or savings share. Italian media calculated that would make the offer worth up to 11 billion euros (more than $12 billion).
KKR already has links to...