Investor Daniel Kretinsky Moves to Take Metro AG Private

The Czech businessman plans to delist the wholesale giant from the stock market with backing from major stakeholders and management.

Daniel Kretinsky, who currently owns 49.99% of Metro AG, has announced plans to take the company private through a delisting agreement.
Kretinsky's investment firm EPGC has offered €5.33 per share, a significant premium over the current market price of €3.90, valuing the deal at approximately €650 million.
Major stakeholders, including the Beisheim Holding and Meridian Foundation, have agreed to retain their shares post-delisting, while the Metro board has expressed support for the move.
The delisting proposal requires approval from German financial authorities (BaFin) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with a formal offer expected in March 2025.
Metro AG reported a 5.6% increase in revenue to €8.6 billion for the first quarter of the 2024/25 fiscal year, driven by growth in its hospitality sector business.