Telefonica leaning towards listing for O2 rather than sale - Irish Independent on Sunday
O2’s owner Telefonica is leaning towards floating the UK-based mobile telecoms operator rather than selling the business, according to an Irish Independent on Sunday report.
The newspaper cited unspecified sources who dismissed as “premature” a possible GBP 8.5bn (EUR 11.00bn) MBO bid reportedly led by O2 CEO Ronan Dunne.
Many buyout groups have indicated their interest in buying O2 since the European Commission blocked an EUR 13bn sale of the mobile network operator to Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, the item said.
Telefonica would not identify the bid groups that have indicated interest, the report continued.
The bidders are thought to include the buyout group CVC Capital Partners, according to the newspaper.
Despite the EC’s decision to block the sale of O2 to Hutchison, Telefonica and the Hong Kong-based conglomerate’s exclusivity agreement will remain in place until the end of June, the item said.
Irish Independent on Sunday