The knives are drawn between Casino and Galeries Lafayette, Monoprix owners. Both shareholders are certainly agree on one point: the Galeries Lafayette want to sell 50% of Monoprix, as they have indicated on December 7 at Casino, and it wants to redeem him. It will even soon have a war chest of 800 to 900 million euros, after its partial withdrawal of its subsidiary Mercialys. But both groups, associated for 15 years, do not agree on the valuation of Monoprix.
Casino, advised by Rothschild bank is willing to pay 700 million euros for 50% of Monoprix. Galeries Lafayette, advised by Societe Generale, in initially wanted $ 1.95 billion. The variance explained by the high volatility of the valuations of distribution groups, is such that JP Morgan, called to break the tie, threw in the towel.
Casino feels "taken hostage"
The conflict took a turn legal last week, when Galeries Lafayette Casino assigned to the Commercial Court of Paris to make their own estimate no fax payday loans. Meanwhile, Galeries Lafayette has made a new offer at $ 1.35 billion, still too far from the estimate of Casino.
Wednesday, a board of Monoprix, which was to convey, as of March 31, President of Monoprix to Jean-Charles Naouri, CEO of Casino, voted to maintain this position Philippe Houze, CEO of Galeries Lafayette … time an agreement is reached on the valuation.
The board is composed of three members appointed by Casino and three others by the Galeries Lafayette, but the chairman has the casting vote. Casino, who feels "taken hostage" will "seize the competent courts to uphold its commitments by Galeries Lafayette".