Renault SA shares rose by as much as 5% on Tuesday after the company decided to abandon its plans to launch an initial public offering for its electric vehicle (EV) business. The French automaker explained that unfavorable market conditions influenced its decision to abandon what could have been one of Europe’s largest IPOs this year.
Initially, Renault CEO Luca de Meo revealed that the company was seeking a valuation ranging between €8 billion and €10 billion for the EV business, known as Ampere, stopping short of Renault’s €10.1 billion valuation. De Meo insisted that improved cash flow in the EV unit has reduced the need for a share sale.
Still, de Meo did admit that falling EV demand had a role in his company’s decision. “Is the context influencing the decision? It’s one of the elements,” De Meo told reporters. “Being totally blind and not looking left and right would’ve been not been responsible.”