The Czech industry and finance ministers, J. Rusnok and B. Sobotka, yesterday agreed not to call for a new appraisal of stakes in eight regional power distributors to be acquired by the state-owned CEZ, despite a request to do so by the Anti-Monopoly Office. The AMO claims the currently proposed transaction prices, determined by an independent appraiser, could represent an effective state subsidy to CEZ. It is unclear at present what the next move of the AMO will be.
Despite the AMO’s consternation, we believe that the transaction will most likely be completed, and we reiterate our target price of CZK 120 per CEZ share. Nevertheless, it must be noted that the downside risk (overpaying for the distributors) has increased, and the transaction’s completion faces a delay and perhaps further challenges. The stock lacks catalyst at present, we downgraded our investment recommendation from buy to accumulate this past Friday.
Separately, trade unions at CEZ two nuclear power plants are ready to increase their pressure if they do not reach an agreement with the CEZ over the company’s planned dismissal of 450 employees, the Czech Press Agency reports.
Jiří Soustružník