DB board decides to prepare for sale of DB Schenker
DB Schenker generated €1.2bn ($1.3bn) in operating profit in H12022, best mid-year earnings in its 150-year history
The supervisory board of Deutsche Bahn (DB) has assigned DB's management board the task of examining and preparing the case for a potential sale of up to 100 percent of its shares in DB Schenker.
"Decisions as to the categorical initiation of a divestment process and the form any sale may take will be made separately at a later date," says an official release.
In the first half of 2022, DB Schenker generated €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) in operating profit, the best mid-year earnings in the company's 150-year history, the release said.
"Selling DB Schenker would further sharpen DB Group's focus on its strong rail strategy and on DB's core business. The objective of the group strategy, which was launched in 2019, is to shift traffic to environmentally friendly rail, in both passenger and freight transport, and to expand the rail infrastructure in Germany.
"With record results, DB Schenker has made a significant contribution to the DB Group's economic growth over many years. In the medium term, however, DB Schenker will require larger financial resources and more independence to make international acquisitions with a view to retaining and enhancing its market position in the ever more competitive logistics sector and its enterprise value in the future. For this reason, a sale could open up new opportunities for DB Schenker in terms of growth and development."
The company's position as a global market leader makes it attractive for buyers and investors, the release added. "In the light of the economic challenges being faced worldwide and current uncertainty on the capital markets, DB does not want to rush a possible sale of DB Schenker. A starting date for a specific divestment process is dependent on the overall situation and not yet decided. A sale shall only take place if it is of financial advantage for DB Group compared to keeping DB Schenker in the Group."
Pursuant to the supervisory board resolution, revenue from the sale of DB Schenker would remain in the DB Group in its entirety and be put towards considerably, for example, to reduce the company's debt, the release added.
