La Caixa will earmark the 3.9 billion euros, of which a little over 2.6 billion euros are capital gains, for acquisitions. Its idea is to reinvest this money in other companies to strengthen its presence. But Repsol, where Criteria now controls 9% after holding over 15% at one time, is off its radar. Gas Natural too, where it is the biggest shareholder with 24.4%.
A Criteria spokesman says the holding still has not decided what it will do with its Abertis stake. This is something it will do when all the details are known about the agreement between ACS and Atlantia.
The CEO of Atlantia, Giovanni Castellucci, has expressed his satisfaction with the agreement reached with ACS to buy Abertis and create what will be, he assures, the biggest infrastructure group in the world.
The Italian company considers that the agreement opens the doors to markets where they are not present, like Germany, the US, Canada and Australia. “We are delighted with the opportunity of working with ACS and Abertis, maximising our potential and creating a global platform,” Castellucci said in a statement released after the firm’s board meeting to approve the agreement.
