Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 3, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 2, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleCriteriaCaixa, Spain’s largest shareholder in Naturgy, has bought an additional 2.5% stake from GIP‑BlackRock for €611 million, increasing its holding to 28.5%, following an accelerated placement of 11.4% by BlackRock.
MADRID, March 3 (Reuters) - Spain's Criteria has bought a 2.5% stake in energy firm Naturgy for 611 million euros, lifting its holding to 28.5%, the Spanish holding company said on Tuesday.
The Spanish company, which remains the largest shareholder in Naturgy, snapped up this stake after partially taking part in an accelerated bookbuild placement of a 11.4% stake in Naturgy on Monday.
The sale was managed by JP Morgan and Goldman on behalf of BlackRock for 2.79 billion euros, or 25.20 euros per share, a 5.8% discount to Monday's closing price of Naturgy.
BlackRock became a shareholder in Naturgy through its 2024 acquisition of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), which had previously invested in the utility.
Among significant shareholders, Australian fund IFM has a 15.5% stake in Naturgy while private equity company CVC holds 13.8%. Holding company Alba has a 5% stake.
(Reporting by Jesús Aguado; editing by Pietro Lombardi)
Criteria paid 611 million euros to acquire a 2.5% stake in Naturgy.
Criteria's total stake in Naturgy rose to 28.5% after this purchase.
The sale was managed by JP Morgan and Goldman on behalf of BlackRock.
Major shareholders include IFM (15.5%), CVC (13.8%), and Alba (5%).
BlackRock acquired a stake in Naturgy through its 2024 acquisition of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
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