Vincent Bolloré Avoids Multi-Billion Vivendi Buyout After Paris Court Ruling
The ruling removes the risk of a mandatory buyout after CIAM argued Bolloré effectively controlled Vivendi despite holding 29.3% of shares.
- On Wednesday, the Paris Court of Appeal ruled that French tycoon Vincent Bollor and the Bollore Group do not exercise control over Vivendi, avoiding a mandatory buyout estimated between €6 billion and €9 billion.
- Minority investor CIAM initiated the claim following Vivendi's 2024 restructuring, arguing that Bollore kept his stake just under France's 30% mandatory-bid threshold while still exercising effective control over the media conglomerate.
- Rejecting Attorney General Carla Deveille-Fontinha's argument, the court found the group had "never encountered any opposition" at AGMs, yet ruled that "decisions lacking Vincent Bollor's support" did not constitute absolute control.
- Following the ruling, shares in Vivendi fell 10%, and CIAM partner Catherine Berjal announced the investor group will appeal to the Court of Cassation while facing roughly €350,000 in legal costs.
- The decision eases pressure on the Bollore Group to sell its 18.4% stake in Universal Music Group, though Bollore's influence over France's media ecosystem remains under political scrutiny heading toward 2027.
17 Articles
17 Articles
The Paris Court of Appeal found that Vincent Bolloré did not control Vivendi at the time of its division. But the case is not yet over. ...
Vincent Bolloré Avoids Multi-Billion Vivendi Buyout After Paris Court Ruling
Paris’s Court of Appeal handed Vincent Bolloré a major legal victory on Wednesday, ruling that the French billionaire and his holding company Bolloré SE did not control Vivendi at the time of the media conglomerate’s 2024 overhaul. The decision removes, for now, the threat of a mandatory buyout offer analysts had estimated could cost between €6 billion and €9 billion. The ruling is a significant win for Bolloré, whose influence over France’s me…
The Paris Court of Appeal today decided that billionaire Vincent Bolloré and holding Bolloré SE do not exercise control over Vivendi, informed the media company in a statement. Exclusive material for subscribers. To have full access, access the link of the material and register.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
