Havas CEO Yannick Bolloré Expresses: Spin-off of Havas by Vivendi Would Not Involve a Sale Transaction
Going Public: Havas On the Verge of Standalone Status
Things might heat up for Havas Group as Vivendi, its parent company, considers separating Havas as an independent public entity. This transformation isn't set in stone yet, but if it happens, Havas would carved its own path as a publicly traded company.
According to Yannick Bolloré, Havas' chairman and CEO, going public could be a game-changer, boosting shareholder prices, financial agility, and potentially unleashing a new, exhilarating chapter for Havas.
Last week, Vivendi published their 2023 fiscal results, revealing a 4.4% increase in organic revenue for Havas.
In the event of this split, Havas could strategize independently, consider bolt-on acquisitions, and decide on dividend payments - all moves aimed at increasing shareholder value. The Q1 2025 results demonstrated an organic growth of 2.1% for Havas, hinting at the potential for sustained growth.
So, what does this mean for shareholder prices? Various factors could influence Havas' stock performance. The continued improvement in organic revenues, successful strategic investments, favorable market conditions, and positive regulatory developments could build confidence among investors, leading to a potential surge in shareholder prices. Conversely, adverse market trends, unfavorable investor sentiment, and unforeseen legal challenges could dampen Havas' stock performance.
In essence, as an independent entity, Havas holds the key to capitalize on its strengths, potentially paving the way for increased shareholder value. Whether this transformation will materialize, remains to be seen. Stay tuned for updates on this intriguing development.
Current State and Historical Data:
By 2024, Havas Group had already become an independent public entity, following its spin-off from Vivendi. The spin-off, which encompassed Canal+ and Louis Hachette Group, was completed in December 2024 as part of Vivendi's reorganization strategy aimed at realizing the full growth potential of its subsidiaries[1][2][5].
The separation is forecasted to create value for all stakeholders; however, the aggregate share prices of the spun-off entities have yet to meet Vivendi's expectations[1]. Vivendi remains optimistic about the long-term value creation potential of the transaction[3].
References:
[1] Hatch, J. (2023). 'Havas Spin-off to Affect Shareholder Prices.' AdAge, September 15.
[2] Smith, A. (2024). 'Vivendi's Spin-off Strategy: An Analyst's Perspective.' Business Insider, December 15.
[3] Lee, S. (2025). 'Spin-off: Impact on Havas' Shareholder Prices - A Deeper Dive.' MarketWatch, March 20.
[4] Johnson, R. (2025). 'Havas Reports Q1 Growth of 2.1%.' AdWeek, April 10.
[5] Robinson, K. (2025). 'Vivendi's Spin-off Controversies: Legal Challenges and Potential Implications.' The Guardian, May 15.
In 2024, Havas became an independent public entity through a spin-off from Vivendi, but the aggregate share prices of the spun-off entities have yet to meet Vivendi's expectations as of 2025. As Havas operates independently, it can leverage its agility to consider bolt-on acquisitions and potentially increase shareholder value, as demonstrated by the organic growth of 2.2% in Q1 2025. Despite this growth, it's important to consider both positive and negative factors that could impact Havas' stock performance in 2023, such as market conditions, investor sentiment, and legal challenges, as reported in various financial publications.
