Jeronimo Martins chairman did not know new shareholder Heerema until stake buy |
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Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:24
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LISBON (AFX) - Jeronimo Martins SGPS group chairman Alexandre Soares dos Santos said that he was not familiar with Heerema Holding Company Inc, which acquired a 10 pct stake in the retailer late February, before he was informed of the deal.'I don't know why they have bought the stake, you have to ask the investor,' Soares dos Santos said at a press conference after the full-year results.J Martins said Swiss firm Heerema acquired 10 pct of the group's capital, through its Asteck SA investment vehicle in an over-the-counter operation on Feb 23.On Feb 22, Banco BPI placed 15 pct of J Martins belonging to Banco Privado Portugues with institutions at 19.2 eur a share.Soares dos Santos said the date for the purchase by the group of a 49 pct stake held by Dutch group Ahold has not been set yet.'Ahold's priority is not selling the stake in JMR,' said Soares dos Santos adding Ahold is now trying to sell its US food service business, which is a much larger deal.He restated that the retailer will invest 300 mln eur in 2007, most of it for opening new stores in Portugal and Poland, where it is present with its Biedronka discount chain.In 2006, the group invested about 346 mln eur and about 1 bln eur will be invested in 2007-09.luis.morais@thomson.comlm/jg/amCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
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Switzerland's Heerema acquires 10 pct of Jeronimo Martins in extra-market deal 