Metlen Energy & Metals has taken a significant step by initiating the process to list its new holding company, Metlen PLC, on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The company submitted an optional public offer to acquire all outstanding common registered shares of Metlen Energy & Metals S.A. at €0.97 each. This move is part of a strategic plan to transition from an emerging to a mature market status, a shift that JP Morgan has evaluated positively for the group’s valuation and market position. The expected passive inflows to Metlen PLC are estimated to exceed outflows by around $400 million, which would bolster the company’s share through demand from passive investment funds.

To ensure the success of the public offer, acceptance of at least 90% of Metlen’s shares is required. Achieving this threshold would allow Metlen PLC to be included in major European and UK stock indices, significantly enhancing its visibility and access to a broad range of global investors. Evangelos Mytilineos, the company’s main shareholder, alongside entities he controls, has committed to tender their entire 21.59% shareholding. Likewise, Fairfax Financial Holdings, which holds a 6.42% stake through subsidiaries, has also pledged participation, further strengthening the offer’s position.

According to the company, the reorganisation aims to consolidate the group under the new UK-based parent entity without altering its operational footprint in Greece. Metlen PLC plans to maintain its investments, workforce, and activities within Greece. The company has assured there will be no impact on employees’ jobs, salaries, or benefits due to this restructuring, which also maintains its tax residence in Greece. There are plans for a secondary listing of Metlen PLC shares, denominated in euros, on the Athens Stock Exchange to reflect the company’s continuing connection to its home market and to provide local investors with ongoing access.

Metlen’s strategic focus encompasses leveraging the listing to reflect its growing international presence more accurately, improve access to global capital markets, and enhance commercial operations daily. The group’s leadership stresses that the international listing will facilitate a more institutional operating model aligned with its expanded footprint, enabling better engagement with global equity and bond markets. This move comes at a pivotal time for the London Stock Exchange, which has seen fewer than 20 listings so far in 2024, the lowest figure since 2009, according to industry observers.

Metlen’s CEO, Evangelos Mytilineos, has publicly expressed his preference for London over New York as a more advantageous venue for listing, particularly for gaining a place in the FTSE 100 rather than competing with thousands of companies listed on US exchanges. He argues that London offers greater visibility and is vital for supporting the revival of the city’s capital markets. The company, with a market capitalization surpassing €6 billion, operates across electricity generation — including gas-fired, solar, and wind energy — as well as in aluminium, alumina, and bauxite production. Furthermore, Metlen is expanding into the production of gallium, an effort aligned with European initiatives to reduce dependency on Chinese imports for critical materials.

The decision to list predominantly in London also aligns with wider strategic reviews conducted by Metlen over the past year. These reviews have focused on growth opportunities, capital allocation strategies, and optimal listing structures that would better reflect the company’s geographical diversification and long-term ambitions. Despite pursuing this international expansion of its financial market presence, the group remains deeply committed to sustaining its contributions to the Greek economy and society.

Fairfax Financial Holdings has recently increased its investment in Metlen through a €110 million exchangeable bond agreement, which could raise its stake to over 8% in the near term, highlighting investor confidence in Metlen’s growth potential and strategic direction. This further solidifies the company’s position as it seeks to navigate the complex transition to the London market while retaining solid shareholder support and operational stability.

In summary, Metlen Energy & Metals’ decision to list its new parent entity on the London Stock Exchange marks a significant development that aims to combine the advantages of international market exposure with the preservation of its Greek heritage and operational base. The company’s approach illustrates a strategic balancing act: seeking greater access to global capital and investor diversity while affirming its long-term commitment to Greece’s economic landscape.

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Source: Noah Wire Services