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Xavier Niel to become Vodafone’s top shareholder in $6B deal
- Xavier Niel agreed to buy a 16.2% stake in Vodafone from UAE's e& for roughly $5.95 billion, according to Reuters.
reuters - The deal, made through a Niel family investment vehicle at 112.5 pence per share, will make the Iliad founder Vodafone's largest single shareholder.
wmbdradio+1 - Niel said he has no intention of launching a takeover bid, but his activist track record could influence Vodafone's ongoing restructuring, per the Financial Times.
morningstar+1
French telecoms billionaire Xavier Niel has agreed to purchase a 16.2% stake in Vodafone from UAE operator e& for approximately $5.95 billion, a deal that will make him the British telecom giant's largest single shareholder.reuters+2
The Deal
The transaction, announced on Thursday, values the stake at 112.5 pence per share — a 13% premium to Vodafone's last closing price of 97.76 pence. The acquisition is being made through a Niel family investment vehicle. According to e&'s regulatory filing with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, proceeds of $5.95 billion are expected to be received on completion.techafricanews+2
Niel, who is the founder of French telecoms group Iliad and owner of Irish operator Eir, has stated he has no intention of making a takeover offer for Vodafone following the purchase. Vodafone shares rose sharply on the news, reflecting the premium paid and investor interest in the ownership shift.wmbdradio+3
Why e& Is Exiting
The sale marks the end of e&'s investment in Vodafone, with the Gulf state operator divesting its entire holding in the FTSE 100 company. e& had built up its stake in Vodafone starting in 2022, making it the largest shareholder at the time. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval.finance.yahoo+1
What It Means for Vodafone
The arrival of Niel — one of Europe's most active telecoms investors — as Vodafone's top shareholder could reshape the company's strategic direction. Niel has a track record of pushing for consolidation and cost efficiency across European telecoms markets through Iliad, which operates in France, Italy, and Poland.capacityglobal+1
According to the Financial Times News Corp , the move will make Niel the top shareholder in the FTSE 100 telecoms group, giving him substantial influence over a company that has been undergoing a prolonged restructuring under CEO Margherita Della Valle. The deal is expected to complete in the coming weeks, pending regulatory clearance.lemonde+1
Sources (15)
- 1 French tycoon Niel becomes Vodafone's top shareholder in $6 billion deal www.reuters.com
- 2 UAE's E& to sell Vodafone stake to French telecoms tycoon ... wmbdradio.com
- 3 French billionaire Xavier Niel becomes Vodafone's top ... www.ft.com
- 4 Niel plans no takeover offer for Vodafone as buys 16% ... www.morningstar.com
- 5 Vodafone Shares Surge After French Billionaire Xavier Niel ... www.wsj.com
- 6 e& Group signed an agreement to sell its entire stake in ... www.eand.com
- 7 e& Agrees to Sell Entire Vodafone Stake to Niel Family ... techafricanews.com
- 8 Eir's owner Xavier Niel becomes biggest Vodafone investor ... www.irishtimes.com
- 9 French billionaire buys £4.4bn stake in Vodafone to ... uk.finance.yahoo.com
- 10 UAE Telco E& to Exit Vodafone via $6 Billion Stake Sale uk.finance.yahoo.com
- 11 Niel to become Vodafone's largest shareholder with €5.1 ... www.lemonde.fr
- 12 Niel to become Vodafone's biggest shareholder in £4.4bn ... capacityglobal.com
- 13 Niel Becomes Biggest Vodafone Investor With $6 Billion Deal www.bloomberg.com
- 14 Xavier Niel to Become Vodafone's Largest Shareholder ... www.morningstar.com
- 15 Telecom billionaire Xavier Niel will become Vodafone's ... www.instagram.com
