FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private IssuerPursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of April, 2007
Commission File Number: 001-09531
Telefónica, S.A.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Gran Vía, 2828013 Madrid, Spain
3491-459-3050
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
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Form 40-F |
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Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
Telefónica, S.A.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item |
Sequential Page Number |
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1. |
Telefónica, Mediobanca, Generali, Intesa Sanpaolo and Benetton unite to take a stake in Telecom Italia |
5 |
28/04/07
Creating a consortium, now the largest shareholder in the Italian operator with 23.6% of the capital
TELEFÓNICA, MEDIOBANCA, GENERALI, INTESA SANPAOLO AND BENETTON UNITE TO TAKE A STAKE IN TELECOM ITALIA
Madrid, 28 April 2007.- The Board of Directors of Pirelli, in an extraordinary meeting held today, and Edizione (Benetton Group), have agreed to sell their stakes in Olimpia, principal shareholder of Telecom Italia, to a consortium made up of Telefónica, the groups industrial partner, the insurance company Generali, the banks Mediobanca and Intesa Sanpaolo, and Benetton (partially reinvesting in the consortium). The operation is subject to the mandatory authorisations.
The new consortium, in which Telefónica holds 42.3% of the shares, will have a 23.6% participation in Telecom Italias capital (18% indirectly through Olimpia and 5.6% directly), thus becoming the largest shareholder of the Italian operator. The other members of the consortium have the following shareholdings: Generali (28.1%), Mediobanca (10.7%), Intesa Sanpaolo (10.7%) and Benetton (8.2%).
The new company starts out with a capital structure of 5,145 million euro, representing a 2,314 million euro investment for Telefónica. An additional capital increase of 900 million euro is foreseen in which Telefónica will have the right to subscribe for new shares on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with its current participation.
The agreement enables Telefónica to enter Telecom Italias Board with two members, a number proportionate to its 10% economic interest in the company. In the new company, Telefónica will have the right of first refusal on the sale of shares, as well as veto rights in certain decisions related to share ownership changes, dividend policy and divestitures.
This operation enables Telefónica to both strengthen its relationship with Telecom Italia, with whom it has entered into cooperation agreements in Germany, and to reinforce its position in Europe and Latin America. Nonetheless, the two companies (Telefónica and Telecom Italia) will be managed separately and independently and it is foreseen that both Telefónica and the board members it appoints will abstain from participating and voting in meetings of the relevant corporate bodies whose purpose is to consider business decisions related to countries in which both companies have a presence.
As a result of meetings with the Italian operator, Telefónica and Telecom Italia foresee the generation of synergies which would give rise to costs savings for both companies.
This investment in no way alters Telefónicas commitment to the markets with respect to limiting its financial investments this year to a net total of 1,500 million euro.
Shareholder Structure
Mediobanca | Generali | Intesa | Benetton | Telefónica | ||||||||||
| | | \/ |
10.7% | | | | \/ |
28.1% | | | | \/ |
10.7% | | | | \/ |
8.2% | | | | \/ |
42.3% |
___________________________________________________________________________________ | New Company | ___________________________________________________________________________________ |
| | | \/ |
100% |
| | | | |
|||
________________ | Olimpia | ________________ |
| | | | |
||||
| | | \/ |
18% |
_______ | 23.6% | _______ |
| | | \/ |
5.6% |
___________________________________________________________________________________ | Telecom Italia | ___________________________________________________________________________________ |
ANNEX: | |
Newco investment: | |
100% Olimpia (2.82 euros/share) | 4,118 Million euros |
5.6% in TI (2.53 euros/share) | 1,897 Million euros |
Total | 6,015 Million euros |
Newco sources of funds: | |
Telefónica | 2,314 Million euros |
Mediobanca (in kind) | 522 Million euros |
Generali (in kind) | 1,375 Million euros |
Intesa | 522 Million euros |
Benetton | 412 Million euros |
Total equity | 5,145 Million euros |
Net debt 1 | 870 Million euros |
Total sources | 6,015 Million euros |
For further information, please contact: | ||
Investor relations | ||
Telf: (+34) 91 584 4713 - (+34) 91 584 4700 | ||
Ezequiel Nieto | ezequiel.nieto@telefonica.es | |
Dolores García | dgarcia@telefonica.es | |
Diego Maus | dmaus@telefonica.es |
1 To be reduced through a potential capital increase of up to 900 Million Euros to be executed in the 6 months following the completion of the deal.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Telefónica, S.A. | |||||
Date: |
April 28th, 2007 |
By: |
/s/ Ramiro Sánchez de Lerín García- Ovies |
||
Name: |
Ramiro Sánchez de Lerín García- Ovies | ||||
Title: |
General Secretary and Secretary to the Board of Directors |