DJ DGAP-Adhoc: Axel Springer sells its stakes in several regional newspapers at EUR 310 million
DJ DGAP-Adhoc: Axel Springer sells its stakes in several regional newspapers at EUR 310 million
Axel Springer AG / Disposal 04.02.2009 Release of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. =-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Axel Springer AG is in final negotiations on the disposal of its stake in several regional newspapers in North and East Germany. Verlagsgesellschaft Madsack GmbH & Co. KG, Hannover is about to purchase participations of Axel Springer AG in Kieler Nachrichten (24.5%), Lübecker Nachrichten (49%), Leipziger Volkszeitung (44.9%) and North German holding Hanseatische Verlags-Beteiligungs AG (23%). An additional stake of 5.1% in Leipziger Volkszeitung is to be acquired by Leipziger Medien Beteiligungs GbR. The purchase price for these participations is EUR 275 million; for Verlagsgesellschaft Madsack GmbH & Co. KG it amounts to EUR 263 million. The stake of 50% of Axel Springer AG in Ostsee-Zeitung, Rostock, will at the same time been sold to Lübecker Nachrichten GmbH at a purchase price of EUR 35 million. The transaction volume in total amounts to EUR 310 million. With the disposal of its minority participations Axel Springer AG focuses more consistently on investments in its own newspapers, the multi-media development of its brands and on acquisitions of new online growth businesses. The consummation of the transaction is subject to approval by anti-trust authorities. Berlin, February 4, 2009 Investor Relations Contact: Claudia Thomé +49 (0)30 2591-77421 [email protected] 04.02.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP =-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: Axel Springer AG Axel-Springer-Straße 65 10888 Berlin Deutschland Phone: +49 (0)30 2591-77421 Fax: +49 (0)30 2591-77422 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.axelspringer.de ISIN: DE0005501357, DE0005754238 WKN: 550135, 575423 Indices: SDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hannover, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service =--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 04, 2009 12:27 ET (17:27 GMT)