Vivendi Reveals Assessment to Split the Company is Ongoing

Vivendi SE, a French mass-media holding firm based in Paris, is considering splitting the company into four business units. This plan was reportedly discussed because of the stock’s “conglomerate discount.”

Split Decision for Growth and Development

Now, Vivendi is already conducting a feasibility study for its planned split, which is said to be in progress. According to Reuters, the company first mentioned its plan to examine splitting up some of its units to accelerate growth and development in December 2023.

The media firm said that once separated from the three entities, Vivendi will be able to remain listed and retain its role of helping with the expansion of its business units. This will also allow the group to actively manage its investments.

The ongoing feasibility study to break up the company was revealed via the first-quarter growth report led by Vivendi’s chief executive officer and chairman of the management board, Arnaud de Puyfontaine, on Monday, April 29.

"Today we are publishing a particularly sharp increase in revenues for the first quarter. This reflects the strength of our three core businesses and the Group's ability to transform and grow,” De Puyfontaine and Yannick Bolloré, chairman of Vivendi’s supervisory board, jointly stated in the press release for the revenue growth report.

They added, “The feasibility study for the split project announced on December 13, 2023, is progressing. We will continue to keep the market informed. We approach 2024 with confidence, despite a tense macroeconomic context.”

Vivendi’s Shares Spiked

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Vivendi posted a quarterly revenue of €4.28 billion or around $4.59 billion today. This showed an increase of 5.4% over the year-ago period. Additionally, it revealed an almost 87% jump in first-quarter sales. The company said the strong growth of its core units encouraged the management to consider dividing the company.

Photo by: Vivendi Media Library