Sky Shares Shaken By Vivendi Stake Sale Speculation

Shares in satellite broadcaster BSkyB were shaken yesterday by speculation that european media giant Vivendi Universal was seeking to sell its 23% stake in the company to institutional investors.

Shares began the day’s trading at £7.16½, but as the speculation appeared across the media, shares dipped, dropping below the £7 mark by late morning.

By the afternoon Vivendi had officially denied that it was hoping to dispose of its £3bn stake. This did not stop shares slipping below £7 again in mid afternoon, from which they later climbed back to finish at £7.04, a drop of 12½p or 1.88% on Friday’s finish.

BSkyB: 020 7705 3000 www.sky.com

UK media shares are monitored and listed daily in MediaTel Newsline’s Sharewatch