Vin & Sprit negotiations enter silent period

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EQT, Ratos and Nordic Capital have lost out to spirit giant Pernod Ricard in the race to acquire part of Vin & Sprit. The French drinks company paid EUR5.63bn for the business, which was significantly higher than the other bids. The Swedish Government said that Pernod Ricard offered the best and highest bid and that Vin & Sprit will continue to be based in Sweden after the transaction.

Nordic Capital joined forces with Fortune Brands, while Ratos teamed up with Bacardi just at the end of the bidding process. Also competing with these bidders for the drinks business were EQT and Investor AB.

Vin & Sprit was put up for sale by the Government last year as part of a broader sellout of state assets in a move to pay off the country's debt. Other stakes on the sales list include banking group Nordea AB, telecoms provider TeliaSonera AB, real estate company Vasakronan AB, mortgage lender SBAB and Nordic stock exchange operator OMX AB, which was recently swept up in a complex deal by Borse Dubai and Nasdaq Stock Market Inc.