Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 21, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 24, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleVivendi cuts its stake in Telecom Italia to 18.4% as part of a strategic divestment. The move follows the sale of TIM's fixed-line network and Poste's increased shareholding.
(Corrects figures in the second paragraph to 18.37% ordinary shares from 19.32%, and 13.19% of share capital from 13.87%)
(Reuters) -Vivendi on Friday said it has reduced its ownership in Telecom Italia (TIM) to 18.4% from 23.8%, in line with its earlier strategic decision to divest from the Italian telecom operator.
After further sales made post-March 18, the Paris-listed group said it now owned 18.37% of the ordinary shares and voting rights, and 13.19% of the share capital, in the Italian telecom operator, the company said in a statement.
This month Vivendi's CEO Arnaud de Puyfontaine confirmed the company intended to sell its stake in TIM, as the Paris-listed group no longer considers the investment to be strategic.
"When we are in a position to be able to exit the company in good terms, we'll do it," he told analysts in a post-result call.
Vivendi first invested in TIM in 2015.
The former Italian phone monopoly last year became the first telecom incumbent in a major European country to opt for a full separation of its fixed-line network, selling it to a consortium led by U.S. fund KKR.
Vivendi opposed the grid sale, and is challenging the move in court.
In February, state-backed financial conglomerate Poste became TIM's second-largest shareholder after Vivendi by acquiring a 9.8% stake from state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, a move backed by leading officials in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office.
Sources told Reuters Poste was considering raising its stake further.
(Reporting by Pretish M J in Bengaluru and Elvira Pollina in Milan; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
The main topic is Vivendi's reduction of its stake in Telecom Italia as part of a strategic divestment plan.
Vivendi reduced its stake as it no longer considers the investment in Telecom Italia to be strategic.
Telecom Italia sold its fixed-line network, and Poste became its second-largest shareholder.
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