Earlier this month we heard that Vivendi’s higher-ups were going to discuss the possible sale of money-making publisher/developer hybrid Activision Blizzard, which it acquired and reforged back in 2007-2008. Now, it’s being reported that the decision has been made to cut the company loose, first by finding a seller and if that doesn’t work out, a partial free-for-all on the open market.
A source with “knowledge of the situation” has informed Bloomberg that the sale of Vivendi’s 61 per cent stake in Activision Blizzard will be going ahead. Originally valued at $US18.9 billion five years ago, ActiBlizz now weighs in at just $US8.1 billion.
Did I say just? That’s still a lot, but near 60 per cent down on 2007’s aspiring figure.
While the Call of Duty and WarCraft brands may be blockbusters in the gaming world, the names mean very little when it comes to the stock market. Vivendi’s shares on the Euronext Paris (EPA) exchange are currently priced at €14.63. In comparison, when the acquisition of Activision was announced back in December 2007, they were valued at over €30.
We’ve weathered the global financial crisis since then and Europe hasn’t been the most stable of economies in recent times, but if Vivendi wants a bit of cash right now (relatively speaking), this is one way of going about it.
Vivendi Said To Plan Sale Of Stake In Activision Blizzard [Bloomberg]
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