CEZ to buy back up to 10% of its shares

Following the government’s decision on March 19 about privatization of 7% state stake through stock market, CEZ’s CEO Martin Roman stated that company plans to buy not only mentioned 7%, but up to 10% of its shares. The process should last till the end of this year. Minister of Trade and Industry also said that no further privatization of CEZ is planed for next year.
Our view:
CEZ currently holds 0.6% of treasury shares, while there is legal restriction for up to 10%. So CEZ could buy up to 9.4% on the market if AGM approves the buy back process. CEZ’s plan to buy more than 7% state stake is due to most probably its management option program. CEZ’s AGM is scheduled on 23 April. Previously there have already been talks that CEZ will ask AGM for maximal possible limit in order to have free hands to meet its management option program. We don’t expect this news to have significant trading impact today and buying additional 2.4% stake would be rather longer process taking advantage of any possible price weakness.