((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto))
(Adds Bain Capital declines to comment in paragraph 3, more information in paragraphs 4-13)
US private equity firm Bain Capital is considering buying some key assets of French technology and software company Atos ATOS.PA, French newspaper Les Echos reported on its website, citing sources.
Atos is in the midst of a restructuring and asset sale program. Last month, the French government made a provisional offer to acquire various strategically important assets of Atos, including its Advanced Computing, Mission-Critical Systems and Cyber Products divisions.
BainCapital declined to comment.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT:
The French government considers that Atos has assets of strategic importance for France.
Atos secures communications for the army and the French secret services and manufactures servers to create supercomputers capable of processing large quantities of data for research or to develop the emerging artificial intelligence industry.
Atos also manages data for the Paris Olympic Games.
WHO ELSE IS INTERESTED IN ATOS?
Thales TCFP.PA said this week it could be tempted by Atos’ defense assets.
Media also reported that aircraft maker Dassault Aviation AM.PA and Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky are interested in Atos.
IN NUMBERS:
Atos shares are down around 70% so far in 2024. The company has a market capitalization of around €220 million.
Atos, which has been in refinancing talks with its banks for several weeks, said this week it needed 1.1 billion euros in liquidity to finance its activities in 2024-2025.