According to reports, O2 is planning to delay its stock flotation until after Brexit.

The mobile operator was due to float on the London Stock Exchange in 2018 but the Press Association reported a delay due to Brexit uncertainty.

O2 is owned by Spanish parent Telefonica, which has declined to comment.

Analysts have valued the company at between £9 billion and £10 billion.

Telefonica chief executive Jose Maria Álvarez-Pallete said in August that he was “under no pressure” to sell O2 in an initial public offering but would monitor the stock market.

“It would be a sizeable IPO, [which] would need attractive conditions, but it doesn’t look like the financial markets are ready,” he said at the time.

Earlier this month, Funding Circle (LON: FCIF) and Aston Martin floated on the stock market and shares sank.

The luxury carmaker saw its initial offer price fail to hit the top end of the £17.50 to £22.50 valuation range that it put forward in September.

When Funding Circle floated, the initial share price fell by almost a quarter, before regaining to 17% below the 440p opening price.

 

Previous articlePremier Inn owner to launch new no-frill hotel brand
Next articleNetflix to raise further $2bn in debt
Avatar photo
Safiya focuses on business and political stories for UK Investor Magazine. Her interests include international development, travel and politics.