Euronext completes the acquisition of VP Securities

EURONEXT COMPLETES THE ACQUISITION OF VP SECURITIES

Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Oslo and Paris – 4 August 2020 – Euronext, the leading pan-European market infrastructure, announces today that it has completed the settlement of shares under its offer launched on 23 April 2020 to acquire 100% of VP Securities, the Danish Central Securities Depository. Euronext will now fully consolidate VP Securities’ accounts in its financial statements. 

Shareholders representing more than 90% of the total share capital of VP Securities (adjusted for treasury shares) have already accepted Euronext’s offer. Euronext’s tag-along offer to acquire the remaining shares in VP Securities will remain open until 31 August 2020. Any other shareholders, and shareholders with specific rights, who accept the Euronext offer before 31 August 2020 will receive payment on or around 10 September 2020. Following such settlements, Euronext will initiate a compulsory acquisition procedure to acquire the remaining shares not already tendered, in accordance with the rules of the Danish Companies Act.

The acquisition of VP Securities positions Euronext as a leading CSD operator in Europe with three CSDs (Euronext VPS in Norway, Interbolsa in Portugal and VP Securities in Denmark) representing €2.2 trillion in assets under custody, 31 million settlement instructions per year and 4.5 million accounts. Post-trade is now a major contributor to Euronext revenues, reaching 23% of 2019 pro forma revenue, significantly increasing the share of non-volume related revenue. Furthermore, following the acquisition of Oslo Børs VPS, completed in June 2019, and Nord Pool in January 2020, Euronext has developed a strong Nordic skillset and has built increasing proximity with the client community in the Nordic region, to the full benefit of the local ecosystems.

Euronext also announces today the appointment of Maria Hjorth, current deputy CEO, as the new CEO of VP Securities, subject to regulatory approval. Maria Hjorth will replace Niels Olsen who decided to resign to pursue personal projects, after leading the strong development of VP Securities over the past seven years. Maria Hjorth will report to Anthony Attia, Euronext’s Global Head of Listing and Post-Trade.

Maria Hjorth, new CEO of VP Securities, said:
“VP Securities is entering into a new phase of its development, as a Euronext company. It is now part of a larger, international group, with a clear strategy: build the leading pan-European market infrastructure.
Since I joined VP, I have led and developed our company strategy as a standalone business. I am delighted to now become CEO of the company to lead the next step of its transformation as part of a larger group.  I want to thank Niels Olsen for seven dedicated years as CEO and I wish him all the best in this new phase of his life.”

Niels Olsen, former CEO of VP Securities, said:
“After 30 years in management positions in the financial industry, I have now decided to resign from my position as CEO of VP Securities to look into a more flexible work life. As I hand over to Maria Hjorth, I am pleased to witness VP Securities entering a new stage of its development as it becomes part of the Euronext Group, and I wish VP Securities and Euronext all the best for the future.”

Stéphane Boujnah, CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext, said:
“Post-trade activities are at the heart of Euronext’s growth strategy, and will be an even larger contributor to our revenue following the acquisition of VP Securities. Alongside Euronext VPS and Interbolsa, we will strengthen our positioning in this field, and continue to expand our footprint in the Nordic region with new and improved services to the benefit of the Danish economy and European capital markets. I would like to thank Niels Olsen for his achievements and success as CEO and welcome Maria Hjorth as the new CEO of VP Securities. I have full confidence that, under her leadership, VP Securities will continue its successful development within the pan-European framework of the Euronext Group.”

CONTACTS -
Pauline Bucaille (Europe/Paris) :                          +33 1 70 48 24 41; pbucaille@euronext.com
Pascal Brabant (Brussels):                                     +32 2 620 15 50; pbrabant@euronext.com
Michael Russell (Dublin):                                     +353 1 617 4221;  mrussell@euronext.com
Sandra Machado (Lisbon):                                    +351 210 600 614; smachado@euronext.com
GeirHarald Aase (Oslo):                                         +47 22.34.19 15; GeirHarald.Aase@oslobors.no

Analysts & investors
Aurélie Cohen/Clément Kubiak                           +33 1 70 48 24 27; ir@euronext.com

About Euronext

Euronext is the leading pan-European market infrastructure connecting local economies to global capital markets, to accelerate innovation and sustainable growth. It operates regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. With close to 1,500 listed issuers worth €3.8 trillion in market capitalisation as of end June 2020, it has an unmatched blue chip franchise and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets and is the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, FX, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. In addition to its main regulated market, Euronext also operates Euronext Growth^TM and Euronext Access^TM, simplifying access to listing for SMEs.  Euronext provides custody and settlement services through central securities depositaries in Norway and Portugal.  
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Disclaimer
This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided “as is”, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronext’s subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.
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