(Reuters) – Swisscom (SCMN.VX) reaffirmed on Thursday it has not decided whether to buy out minorities in Fastweb (FWB.MI), after speculation over a delisting sent shares in the Italian broadband operator 10 percent higher the day before.
“Buying out minority shareholders of Fastweb has pros and cons. Whereas we are convinced it would be a good investment to own 100 percent instead of the current 82 percent, a buyout would also consume part of our limited financial capacity,” Swisscom said in a statement.
“We have to weigh the option to buy the minorities against the alternatives, and have not reached a decision on this matter.” [ID:nLDE6801QE]
Fastweb is currently under investigation for evading value added tax (VAT) as part of a money-laundering ring. It made a provision of 70 million euros ($89.6 million) in 2009 as a result of the probe. [ID:nLDE61M1O2]
(Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner)
