Up +13.5 (4.5%) to 313.25 with an aggressive volume of 26.5m.. National Grid indicated that they are less likely to sell their shares in EGS soon as they expect the current price to improve...thus suggesting last year price..and reassuring comments for the long term value of EGS...but as they are buying Niagara for 8.9 billion pounds and making other investments, they'll probably need cash, maybe they are trying to signal CW. to make a proper offer..
LONDON (AFX) - National Grid Group PLC is less likely to undertake an imminent sale of its 33 pct stake in Energis PLC than it was 12 months ago, finance director Stephen Box said in an interview with AFX News.
There has been strong speculation in the last week that Energis is a bid target for Cable & Wireless PLC.
Box would not comment on whether National Grid had been approached by C&W but did say current market conditions make an imminent sale unlikely.
"The prospects of a near-term trade sale are much lower than they were 12 months ago," he said.
National Grid has stated it intends to exit the business within the nextthree years, but Box said they will not be rushed into a sale.
"A trade sale remains the most likely exit route at some point but we're prepared to sit on the stake particularly at current prices. We don't see ourselves as a forced seller and are quite happy to wait until more sensible
values reemerge in the telecoms sector," he said.
Box indicated a sale next year is a more likely option.
Riz