“The Board of Directors of the Securities Market Commission (CMVM) has decided […] to suspend trading of Impresa – SGPS, SA shares, pending the release of relevant information to the market,” stated a communiqué released today, which did not disclose further details.
On Thursday, Jornal de Negócios reported on its front page that “Italians are expected to enter SIC’s parent company by the end of the year” and indicated that “negotiations between Impresa and MFE, controlled by the Berlusconi family, are nearing completion,” with “parties now negotiating the details of the agreement.”
Contacted by Lusa, an official source from Grupo Impresa reiterated that it “will always communicate relevant information to the market as legally prescribed,” and today there is “no relevant information to be communicated.”
Earlier today, Sábado reported that MFE will acquire a minority stake in SIC’s parent company and that the Balsemão family will retain control for now.
According to the publication, this deal is viewed as a first step for the Italians to eventually take control of Impresa.
Prior to the trading suspension, Impresa shares were up 1.48% at 0.28 euros, with a volume of 323,139 shares traded.
In late September, trading of Impresa shares had already been suspended by the CMVM to “allow the market to absorb the information” that had been released.
At that time, Impresa stated in a communiqué to the market that it was in negotiations with the Italian group MFE for the acquisition of “a significant stake” in the parent company of SIC and Expresso.
The news was initially reported by the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, which highlighted MFE’s intention to proceed with the acquisition of a stake in Impresa.
[Updated at 16:30]
