((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto))
(Updated with more information on the report and company context in paragraph 2)
The billionaire owner of L’Occitane International 0973.HK is set to make a proposal to take the French skincare company private as early as Monday, in a deal that could value it at around $7 billion , including debt, Bloomberg News reported.
Chairman Reinold Geiger’s investment holding company, L’Occitane Groupe SA, is considering an offer for shares in the Hong Kong-listed company that he does not yet own, at a price of HK$33 to HK$34 per share, according to the report, citing people familiar with the matter.
Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Mr. Geiger was in advanced discussions with investors and lenders and was considering trying to buy the company, several months after abandoning a previous attempt, according to two sources.
A possible bid could value L’Occitane at around 6.5 billion euros ($6.95 billion), Bloomberg reported, adding that Blackstone Inc. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s tactical opportunities fund BX.N could provide around €1.6 billion in funding.
Trading in L’Occitane was suspended in Hong Kong on April 9, pending an announcement related to redemption codes.
Last September, Geiger abandoned a plan to take the company private, which led to a drop in shares.
L’Occitane, Blackstone and Goldman Sachs did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
(1 dollar = 0.9353 euros)