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Italy cuts Eni stake, raises 1.4 bln euros

Italy's Treasury sold a 2.8% stake in energy group Eni on Wednesday, stealing around 1.4 billion euros ($ 1.52. billion) in its drive to raise cash to boost the nation's. creaking public financial resources.

Rome performed the deal through a sped up. bookbuilding treatment (ABB) and placed the shares at 14.855. euros each, providing a 1.7% discount to Wednesday's closing. price, the Treasury stated in a statement.

The discount applied is very restricted compared with other. similar offers, according to a source familiar with the matter.

When settled, the deal will reduce the Treasury's. stake to 2% from 4.8%.

The government will however keep a company grip on Eni. with its general stake still above 30%, as state lending institution Cassa. Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) holds another 28.5% stake in the. energy group.

Goldman Sachs International, Jefferies and. UBS Europe SE functioned as joint worldwide planners for. the positioning.

As part of the offer, Rome dedicated not to offer more Eni. shares on the market for 90 days without the permission of the. worldwide coordinators, the Treasury stated.

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti raised the possibility of. the share sale in November, validating a previous . report.

Italy's public debt, the second biggest in the euro zone as. a percentage of output and under close scrutiny from rating. agencies, is anticipated to rise to 139.8% of GDP in 2026 from. 137.3% in 2023 before declining partially to 139.6% in 2027,. according to the latest Treasury price quotes revealed in April.

The projections consider profits from

asset sales

with a cumulative worth near 1% of GDP through 2027.

Disposals have handled fresh prominence in Italy as the. period of expansionary fiscal policy set off by the pandemic. is set to end next year, when the European Union will embrace. stricter spending plan guidelines under the reform of its Stability and. Growth Pact.

Rome has actually currently sold 37.5% of bailed-out lending institution Monte dei. Paschi di Siena, gathering around 1.6 billion euros. The Treasury also plans to sell all or part of its 29.3%. direct stake in postal service Poste Italiane, while. retaining control through another 35% held by CDP.

(source: Reuters)