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Numericable May Explore Other M&A Options If SFR Bid Fails: BI 2014-03-13 08:39:40.472 GMT
By Blanche Gatt March 13 (Bloomberg) -- Numericable likely to examine alternative M&A opportunities if its bid to merge with SFR fails, Bloomberg Industries says in research note. * Bloomberg Industries says potential tie-up with Free, or a new SFR-Bouygues entity make strategic sense * Co.’s mobile operations still just beginning, needs to strengthen convergence investments * May also be potential in cost savings from migration to Numericable’s network, sharing cost of high-speed broadband rollouts * Kepler Cheuvreux said yday co.’s SFR bid isn’t “lost battle,” despite mkt’s apparent view that Bouygues Telecom will finally buy SFR * If Numericable doesn’t get SFR, still has other L/T strategic options: later join new Bouygues-SFR group, merge with Iliad, or be target of any international group * Numericable shares up 0.5% today; gained 5% after earnings yday; down 3.8% YTD: data compiled by Bloomberg * Related stories: * Today: Bouygues Improves SFR Offer to Vivendi by EU1b * Today: Numericable CEO Denoyer Says SFR Bid Valid Until Friday
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To contact the reporter on this story: Blanche Gatt in London at +44-20-7392-0351 or bgatt@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: James Ludden at +44-20-7673-2645 or jludden@bloomberg.net James Cone