vivendi (VIV) Snapshot

Vivendi Société Anonyme (ENXTPA:VIV) is pushing France Télécom SA (ENXTPA:FTE) to step in with a last-minute bid for Itissalat Al-Maghrib (IAM) S.A, according to people familiar with the matter. France Telecom has been weighing whether to join the contest for several months but has yet to make a decision, some of the people familiar with the matter said. "It's something we're looking at because it's strategically interesting, but there's no offer on the table," a spokesman for France Telecom said.

Ooredoo Q.S.C. (DSM:QTEL) has withdrawn its offer to acquire 53% stake in Itissalat Al-Maghrib (IAM) S.A. (CBSE:IAM) (Maroc Telecom) from Vivendi Société Anonyme (ENXTPA:VIV). Nasser Marafih, Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo, said, “Although Maroc Telecom represents a good fit for our global portfolio, it is no longer in the best interests of our shareholders to continue to commit capital to what has become a lengthy process. We are thus withdrawing our offer and we will focus our attention on generating value in other opportunities across our global footprint through organic and acquisitive strategies.” Ooredoo made an indicative offer in December 2012 and submitted a fully financed, binding offer on April 24, 2013 which met all the requirements of the process.

Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (ADX:ETISALAT) has offered the highest bid for Vivendi Société Anonyme (ENXTPA:VIV)’s stake in Itissalat Al-Maghrib (IAM) S.A. (CBSE:IAM), according to two people familiar with the matter. While the exact prices of the offers were not clear, sources earlier told Reuters that they had come in lower than €5 billion.