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Paris, December 20, 2007
Planned agreement between SFR and the Louis Dreyfus
group
Vivendi confirms the planned agreement between its subsidiary SFR and the
Louis Dreyfus group relating to the potential sale of the latter’s stake in Neuf
Cegetel.
The transaction would represent an important step in SFR’s
strategy by: • investing in fiber optics capacity; • accelerating its
fixed-line/mobile convergence strategy for businesses and individuals; •
integrating a growing asset.
Commenting on the transaction, Jean-Bernard
Lévy, Chairman of Vivendi’s Management Board, stated: “This investment is a very
attractive opportunity for Vivendi to strengthen its position and development in
one of its main business sectors. The planned agreement would make it possible
to merge two companies with increasingly complementary and healthy businesses
and would create value for Vivendi shareholders.”
Following SFR’s
purchase of Louis Dreyfus group’s stake at a share price of €34.50*, the
transaction would be completed by a public offering for Neuf Cegetel at a share
price of €36.50*.
SFR would finance this transaction through debt,
notably with Vivendi granting a loan under market terms. To repay this loan, SFR
has agreed to considerably reduce dividend payments that it would pay in the
three next financial years.
This transaction would contribute to an
optimization of Vivendi’s financial structure. In order to preserve its
strategic and financial flexibility, Vivendi plans to raise funds of €1- €2
billion from its shareholders at the appropriate time. The potential amount of
this capital increase and the precise timetable will depend on market
conditions.
This transaction would be accretive for Vivendi in terms of
adjusted net profit per share in 2009.
*2007 coupon
attached
Important disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements with
respect to the financial condition, results of operations, business, strategy
and plans of Vivendi. Although Vivendi believes that such forward-looking
statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not
guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the
forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties,
many of which are outside our control, including, but not limited to, the risks
described in the documents Vivendi filed with the Autorité des Marchés
Financiers (French securities regulator) and which are also available in English
on our web site (www.vivendi.com).
Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of documents filed by
Vivendi with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers at www.amf-france.org
, or directly from Vivendi. The
present forward-looking statements are made as of the date of the present press
release and Vivendi disclaims any intention or obligation to provide, update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
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