According to interview for Financials, Ivan Fuksa a deputy finance minister sees the thought that the state will sell a stake in CEZ of closer to 4 percent as correct but it is not a strategic goal for the Czech government in 2007, however didn’t elaborated more on this. This thought is fuelled by announcement from March, that the government plans to raise CZK 31bn, which at that time represented some 7%. Besides, Fuksa sees that the government should hold onto the remainder of its stake at least until 2010, once it raises the money it needs for roadbuilding.
Our view:
The government sold so far some 1% of its stake in CEZ. There have been speculations on the market, that the government will not need to sell whole 7% stake. CEZ currently owns approximately 7.2% of own shares, which provides the capacity for additional 2.8% to be acquired. This indicates, that no share over-hang will result, should the government match CEZ’s buying activity.