Euronext, the leading pan-European exchange, welcomes the clearance from Norway’s Ministry of Finance to acquire  up to 100% of Oslo Børs VPS’s capital, as applied for. Reaching this critical milestone, Euronext confirms its intention to complete the transaction by the end of June 2019.

Euronext receives clearance from the Norwegian Ministry of Finance to acquire Oslo Børs VPS https://t.co/9VVcVt53mp

— Euronext (@euronext) May 13, 2019

Euronext has already secured a majority of the capital of Oslo Børs VPS (53.4%) including irrevocable pre-commitments, shares tendered to the Offer, and directly owned shares. This satisfies the 50% minimum ownership condition of its offer, as described in its offer document available on www.euronext.com.

The Ministry’s decision was one of the last major conditions to complete the transaction.

Euronext’s shareholders have been asked to approve the transaction at the general meeting convened on 16 May 2019, and Euronext’s reference shareholders, who represent 23.86% of the capital, have confirmed their joint support for the transaction.

Euronext is strongly convinced of the benefits that its combination with Oslo Børs VPS would bring to all Norwegian stakeholders. It has a strong track record of pan-European and decentralised independent market infrastructure management. Euronext’s model, capitalising on local strengths, identity and vibrant markets, fuels its ambition to finance the real economy, especially SMEs, by providing them with access to the largest liquidity pool in Europe. Euronext will be fully committed to the further development of Oslo Børs VPS, both its stock exchange and the Central Securities Depository (CSD, known as `VPS`), through a client-centric plan benefitting all parties of the Norwegian financial community. Euronext will act accordingly to preserve and develop the specific contribution of Oslo Børs VPS to the Norwegian economy including the Equity Capital Certificates market, the Fish Pool market located in Bergen, the high yield bond market and a seamless efficient listing platform.

Stéphane Boujnah, CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext said: “Euronext welcomes the Ministry’s clearance to acquire up to 100% of Oslo Børs VPS’s capital and look forward to completing the next steps to close the transaction by the end of June 2019. As part of the Euronext family, Oslo Børs VPS will continue to be a strong and leading Nordic exchange and CSD, and a hub for Euronext’s ambitions in the region. Euronext looks forward to supporting the Norwegian financial and business community, to working constructively with all key constituents and stakeholders to further drive the success of Oslo Børs VPS.”

Source: Euronext