METRO AG and EPGC Agree on Delisting of Shares

METRO AG has reached a delisting agreement with major shareholder EP Global Commerce GmbH (EPGC), which holds about 49.99% of METRO's voting rights. EPGC is set to offer to purchase all remaining METRO shares for EUR 5.33 each. This agreement entails METRO applying to delist its shares from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange during the delisting offer period.

EPGC commits to supporting METRO's current sCore strategy, providing financial backing during a transitional period if necessary. Post-delisting, EPGC plans to privatize METRO but will avoid a domination agreement for 18 months, barring financial requests from METRO.

Prior to this, EPGC secured an agreement with two key shareholders, Meridian and Beisheim, who will retain their shares and back the sCore strategy. They have also formed a shareholder accord effective after delisting. METRO's management will evaluate EPGC's offer document and issue a statement, noting that while the proposed price is a premium, it may not capture METRO's long-term potential.