Jan 19 2021, 12:18 PM
January 17 2021, 11:52 PM
January 19 2021, 12:18 PM
(Bloomberg) --
(Bloomberg) --
Two private equity firms waded into the bitter takeover battle between Suez SA and Veolia Environnement SA, but there was little indication that their involvement would break the stalemate.
Ardian SAS and Global Infrastructure Partners said Sunday theyâre prepared to make a friendly, 11.3 billion-euro ($13.6 billion) offer for French water utility Suez, which is trying to fend off a takeover attempt by arch rival Veolia.
Suez said it was ready to discuss the potential private-equity approach with Veolia, though stopped short of ending its months-long refusal to engage with Veoliaâs takeover proposal. Veolia countered that it would only discuss its own bid for Suez and had no intention of selling the 29.9% stake it bought in the company in October.