The probe of the European Union involving an underwater power cable cartel is a test of the regulators' ability to penalize private equity investors and their parent firms, Bloomberg reported.
Italy
Italian startup AdEspresso secures $500K seed funding to optimize Facebook ads for SMBs
Italian spin-off AdEspresso raised $500,000 in seed funding from institutional and angel investors, for its Facebook ad optimization service for small and medium businesses (SMBs).
Unipol receives offer for $2 bln insurance business up for sale
Italian insurer Unipol said it had received an offer to buy the insurance business with 1.7 billion euros ($2.3 billion) worth of premiums which it must sell to meet conditions set by the local competition watchdog to clear its merger with peer Fondiaria-SAI.
Monte Paschi's top shareholder nears deal to sell its 20pct stake as shareholder meeting looms
Fondazione Monte dei Paschi, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena's top shareholder, is reportedly nearing a deal to divest its 20% stake in the Italian bank to three other banking foundations and a group of investment funds.
Telecom Italia shareholders reject bid for board's removal by a slim majority
Shareholders of Telecom Italia on Friday thwarted by a slim majority a proposal by rebel investor Marco Fossati to oust its board. Fossati, the third-largest shareholder in Telecom Italia, may consider pursuing a legal challenge.
Latest News
German Efromovich, the owner of Colombian flag carrier Avianca, is reportedly looking to acquire Italian airline Alitalia or Polish flag carrier LOT Polish Airlines. Efromovich seeks to boost his presence in Europe.
Shareholders of Italian telecom company Telecom Italia are were said to vote this week on whether or not to oust its current board. Rebel investor Findim Group on Monday proposed candidates for Telecom Italia's new board.
Private equity firms Blackstone Group, CCMP Capital and Investcorp are the only remaining bidders for a minority stake in Italian fashion house Versace. Versace seeks to exit a 20% stake in the first quarter of next year.
A report by Bloomberg read that New York-based investment firm BlackRock said it complied with disclosure rules in its Telecom Italia stake after a watchdog said in a newspaper interview that the firm may have not followed rules when it did not report an increase in its stake in the telecommunications firm..
BlackRock Inc will have to say on Monday what stake it holds in Italy's biggest telecom operator Telecom Italia, after the Italian market watchdog threatened to fine it for not disclosing an increase.
The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported on Friday including ITC Holdings, Dave & Buster, Time Warner Cable, Banca Etruria, Cube Capital, Cargolux, Simon Property and Versace.
New York-based money manager BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in Telecom Italia to 10%, becoming its second-largest shareholder. This could potentially tip the balance at a shareholder meeting set to vote on the proposed ouster of Telecom Italia's board, according to a Reuters report.
Italy's state backed Fondo Strategico Italiano (FSI) and private equity firm CCMP Capital are leading the race to secure a minority stake in Italian luxury goods group Versace.
Monte dei Paschi di Siena's board has opposed a proposal by its top investor to push back a €3 billion cash call to May next year. Monte Paschi's largest shareholder earlier threatened to vote against the impeding capital increase.
