Poste Italiane

M&A Activity • Dec 5, 2016

Informazione Regolamentata n. 1130-67-2016		Data/Ora Ricezione 05 Dicembre 2016 11:40:31	MTA
Societa'	:	POSTE ITALIANE
Identificativo Informazione Regolamentata	:	82433
Nome utilizzatore	:	POSTEN03 - Fabio Ciammaglichella
Tipologia	:	IROS 01
Data/Ora Ricezione	:	05 Dicembre 2016 11:40:31
Data/Ora Inizio Diffusione presunta	:	05 Dicembre 2016 11:55:32
Oggetto	:	Poste Italiane accelerates on asset management
Testo del comunicato

Vedi allegato.

POSTE ITALIANE ACCELERATES ON ASSET MANAGEMENT AND STRENGTHENS THE PARTNERSHIP WITH ANIMA TO CREATE A NATIONAL CHAMPION

Rome, December 5, 2016 - Poste confirms its growth strategy in asset management, which constitutes one of the pillars of its Business Plan, alongside the development of digital payment platforms and the logistics.

In this perspective, Poste finalized a plan to strengthen its partnership with Anima Holding, to which it will transfer BancoPosta Fondi SGR by the first half of 2017. Following this transaction, Poste will increase its stake in Anima from 10.3% to 24.9%, thus becoming the releant shareholder of a national champion with approximately 145 billion of assets under management.

BancoPosta Fondi is Poste Italiane Group's asset management company which, as of 30 September, managed 75 billion of assets with a net profit close to 20 million as of the end of 2015. BancoPosta Fondi has engendered significant returns over time by specialising in the management of Eurozone government bonds and corporate bonds.

Anima is Italy's largest independent investment management company (SGR) listed on the Stock Exchange since 2014, with approximately 71 billion euros of assets under management as of 30 September 2016 and a net profit of almost 127 million euros as of the end of 2015.

The partnership established with Anima in May 2015 through the acquisition of a 10% stake led to a distribution agreement that has been operative since September 2015 and to the development of customised products offering citizens and Poste customers investment instruments featured by transparent risk and return profile as well as specifically designed around their needs.

Poste Italiane CEO Francesco Caio made the following comment: "By raising the stake in Anima, Poste Italiane lays the groundwork for the creation of a national champion with more than 145 billion of assets under management and steps up the implementation of its business plan, projecting asset management as one of its pillars, consistently with the role always played in protecting the savings of Italian citizens and families."

Poste Italiane CEO Francesco Caio said: "As it was indicated when it went public, Poste considers growth through acquisitions as one of the elements of its development plan, provided investments are focused on companies with strong strategic and industrial synergies and are consistent with prospective returns for shareholders. Poste's sustainability and its capacity to create long-term value for shareholders and customers remains the guiding principle underlying our decisions." In this perspective Poste, together with Anima and CDP, made a bid for Pioneer consistently with the investment selection and assessment criteria outlined in its business plan and, following further analyses and in-depth studies has decided, in agreement with its business partners, that at the current state of affairs and in consideration of other external growth opportunities that could be pursued, such operation would not be in line with the achievement of adequate returns for its shareholders.

Contact details

Poste Italiane S.p.A. – Press Office Pierpaolo Cito Head of Press Office Tel. +39 0659589008 Mail citopier@posteitaliane.it

Poste Italiane S.p.A. – Investor Relations Luca Torchia Head of Investor Relations Tel. +39 0659589421 Mail luca.torchia@posteitaliane.it