BREAKING NEWS

Gov't exit from Leumi underway

By YAEL GRUNTMAN/GLOBES

JANUARY 19, 2011 12:02

Sources inform Globes that UBS AG (NYSE; SWX: UBS) bought 5% of Bank Leumi (TASE: LUMI) from the government for NIS 1.3 billion. UBS will resell the shares to mostly foreign investors in off-floor transactions.

UBS paid NIS 16.95 per share, a 0.9% discount on Bank Leumi's closing price yesterday. Bank Leumi's share price fell 0.4% in early trading today to NIS 17.70, giving a market cap of NIS 26.18 billion.

UBS won the Ministry of Finance tender, beating eight other foreign banks.

A capital market source told Globes today, "In contrast to the privatization tenders for Israel Discount Bank (TASE: DSCT), in the case of Bank Leumi, the competition for the bloc that was distributed was fierce and aggressive. The banks were prepared to buy the shares at even higher prices, risking losses."

A source added that UBS aims to resell the bloc of shares by noon today, and plans to sell 90% of the shares to foreign investors.

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