Metro International ("Metro"), the world's largest international newspaper, today announced that its equity stake in Metro Czech Republic will decrease from 40.0% to 6.7% due to a decision not to participate in a capital increase.
Metro sold 60% of Metro Czech Republic in December 2007 to Mafra Media Group, a German media conglomerate. Since Mafra committed fully to the recent capital increase, their equity stake has increased to 93.3%. The decision not to participate in the capital increase is yet another step in the strategy where Metro aims to focus on emerging markets. Metro Czech Republic will become a franchise operation from now on.
For further information please visit www.metro.lu or contact:
| Per Mikael Jensen | President and CEO | Tel: +46 8 120 570 00 |
| Anders Kronborg | CFO | Tel: +44 79 1254 0800 |
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ABOUT METRO INTERNATIONAL AND METRO
Metro is the largest international newspaper in the world. Metro is published in over 100 major cities in 22 countries across Europe, North & South America and Asia. Metro has a unique global reach - attracting a young, active, well-educated Metropolitan audience of over 17 million daily readers.
Metro International S.A. shares are listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm through Swedish Depository Receipts of series A and series B under the symbols MTROA and MTROB.
The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: Metro International via Thomson Reuters ONE
