Acquisitions on Ferretti: after Kkcg's partial takeover bid, Al-Kharafi enters the scene

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor)- Buyers on Ferretti, which is trading at a brisk pace at Piazza Affari. The shares are supported by the news that Kuwaiti businessman, Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, has entered the yacht company's capital, acquiring a 3 per cent stake. The investment was made through Bnk Holding Kscc, an internationally active private investment holding company, and is part of a strategy to build a global portfolio focused on prestigious assets and high-quality companies with strong growth potential. Al-Kharafi belongs to the historic Al-Kharafi family and is a leading figure in the financial and industrial landscape of the Middle East, holding senior positions including chairmanship of the Kuwait Stock Exchange.

The analysts of Intermonte point out "how the entry of Al-Kharafi is part of a phase of renewed attention on Ferretti's capital after the announcement of the partial tender offer launched by Kkcg Maritime on 15.4% of the capital in addition to the continuous market purchase of shares by the Chinese shareholder of reference. At the centre of attention is certainly the renewal of the board and thus the managerial control of the company expected during the next shareholders' meeting, probably in May. Last Monday, in fact, Czech billionaire Karel Komerek's company launched a partial takeover bid for the group to increase its shareholding from 14.5% to 29.9%

Positive comments also came from Banca Akros, which pointed out that Al-Kharafi is a leading figure in the Kuwaiti business world and a member of one of the country's most influential families. "The investment is part of a broader strategy by Bnk, its private investment holding company, to build a global portfolio focused on prestigious assets and high-quality, well-managed companies with strong growth potential." The company is active in several sectors, including oil and gas, retail, food & beverage, industrial, construction, engineering, procurement and construction, automotive and technology. Bnk Holding is the official distributor of Volvo and Polestar in Kuwait and represents Bang & Olufsen in the country. Al-Kharafi is also a shareholder of Coca-Cola Kuwait and sits on its board of directors. According to brokers, 'Al-Kharafi's entry comes in a context already characterised by high tensions regarding the company's shareholding and governance. At the moment we maintain a positive outlook on the stock, pending further developments'. Rating and target confirmed.