Breaking news

UAE Telecom Giant e& Acquires Serbia’s SBB For $855M To Expand in Europe

e&’s subsidiary, e& PPF Telecom Group BV, has finalized an agreement to acquire Serbian broadband and pay-TV provider SBB from United Group for $854.6 million (€825 million). This move strengthens e&’s presence in Central Eastern Europe, aligning with the company’s strategy to diversify revenue streams and accelerate growth.

The acquisition will see SBB merge with e&’s Serbian mobile subsidiary, Yettel, to create a leading converged operator. This merger will enhance mobile, fixed broadband, and pay-TV services, benefiting from the region’s high growth potential. The deal is expected to generate synergies and offer a comprehensive range of services, boosting competitiveness in the market.

The acquisition is being financed through debt raised by e& PPF Telecom, with SBB’s financials integrated into e& PPF Telecom. While the deal will not significantly impact e&’s overall financials, it is expected to strengthen its market position in Serbia.

SBB is a major player in Serbia’s broadband and cable TV sector, with over 700,000 active customers. In 2023, it generated $252.8 million in revenue and had an impressive 50% EBITDAaL margin. This acquisition is expected to add 12% to revenue and 15% to EBITDAaL annually for e& PPF Telecom.

e&’s broader European expansion strategy includes its October acquisition of a controlling stake in PPF Telecom Group, which operates across Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia. e& PPF Telecom now serves over 10 million customers in these markets.Forbes has ranked e& 13th on its list of Top 100 Listed Companies in 2024, and CEO Hatem Dowidar is 9th on Forbes Middle East’s Top CEOs list.

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Uol
Aretilaw firm
eCredo

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter