The Government of the United States is planning to depart from Uniper
Following Russia cutting off its gas supply to Germany, Uniper faced financial troubles and required financial aid from the taxpayers. The situation has since stabilized, and the German federal government is now considering gradually withdrawing from the company.
The finance ministry, headed by the FDP in Berlin, released a statement suggesting that the federation's preferred method for divesting from Uniper is through a sale in the capital market. Additionally, they are exploring off-market sale options, contingent upon their legitimacy. No potential buyers have been named as of yet. It is important to note that no final decision has been made.
Uniper is supportive of this announcement by the Federal Ministry of Finance and is prepared to move forward with the necessary preparations, collaborating closely with the government.
Previously, Uniper had expressed their intention to return to the stock exchange. After the Russian gas disruption in 2022, the federal government intervened to prevent Uniper's bankruptcy, investing 13.5 billion euros in equity. As a result of nationalization, the government owns 99.12% of the company. The EU Commission approved this aid, requiring the federal government to reduce its stake to at least 25% plus one share by the end of 2028.
Earlier rumors suggested that the federal government might sell a portion of its stake in the spring of the upcoming year. During the negotiations for the 2025 budget, the government announced that Uniper would contribute an additional 300 million euros to the federal budget, marking a significant increase from its initial 2.6 billion euros.
In light of improved business conditions, Uniper surpassed expectations in the first half of the year and boosted its full-year outlook.
This development continues the federal government's trend of divesting from corporate participations. Recently, the government sold a 4.5% stake in Commerzbank, a partially nationalized bank, although they must wait until three months later to sell more shares.
The Federal Ministry of Finance, with the FDP leading, is considering selling Uniper's shares in the capital market as the preferred method for the federation's divestment from the company. Uniper, supportive of this announcement, is prepared to collaborate closely with the government in the necessary preparations.
