Future AsiaSat sale likely in view as large shareholders make buyout offer

摘要

The largest shareholders in AsiaSat (HKG:1135) are likely making a buyout offer for the Hong Kong-based satellite operator with the aim of a future exit. The deal is probably being made in part because it would be easier to sell AsiaSat as an independent company, Blaine Curcio, founder of Asia-based satellite consultancy Orbital Gateway Consulting and Euroconsult consultant, said in an interview. An independent company would mean that CITIC Group and Carlyle Group (NASDAQ:CG), which are making the shareholder buyout offer, would have fewer hoops to jump through as part of a company sale. CITIC Group is a government-owned investment company in China, and US-based Carlyle Group is a private equity firm and provider of other financial services.