Atos does not say no to the State taking a stake in its capital

Atos’ difficulties are pushing management to imagine new solutions for the group’s future. And one of them could involve state investment.

This is not news to anyone. The French digital activities giant Atos has experienced serious financial difficulties in recent years, illustrated in particular by the waltz of managers at the top of the company. A situation which appears to have worsened since the failure of negotiations with billionaire Daniel Kretinsky relating to the sale of his outsourcing activities. So, in the end, support could well come from the state.

Atos begins to open up to the State

Could Atos end up having to accept state aid? This hypothesis seems more and more plausible over time, failures and new operations announced by Atos. On Tuesday, the group indicated the signing of an agreement in principle with several banks and the State on obtaining intermediate financing of 450 million euros.

The objective is to be able to hold out until July, which would allow a refinancing agreement to be validated in the meantime. The State thus produces for its part a loan of 50 million euros for Atos, which allows it to receive in exchange a “preferential share” in Bull SA, an entity within which Atos has grouped sensitive and sovereign activities. of France such as supercomputers, used as part of the national nuclear deterrent, and contracts signed with the army.

The State could take a stake in the capital

The objective is summarized by President Jean-Pierre Mustier. “ We are committed to ensuring that so-called sensitive activities are well protected whatever the solution provided by the buyer. » he thus indicated before the senatorial commission which is examining the group’s troubles. He added that other activities, which were not originally in Bull SA, could be added if the State wished.

Finally, he said he was open to the State coming “ invest and purchase so-called sensitive activities if Atos’ shareholding were to change. » A way of reassuring the authorities, while Atos will be required in the coming months to carry out activities within the framework of the Olympic Games.

aSource: Reuters, BFM TV