French Government is Selling Part of Its Stake in Renault

The French government said Thursday it is selling part of its stake in Renault SA, after buying shares two years ago to block the auto maker's efforts to change its shareholding rules.

The French Ministry for the Economy and Finance said it is selling 14 million shares, or 4.73% of Renault's total capital, in a placement with financial institutions. After the sale, the government will still be the largest shareholder in Renault, with 15% of its shares.

In 2015, President Emmanuel Macron, who was economy minister at the time, boosted the government's stake in Renault to stop the company from passing a measure that would ensure each share in the company is worth one vote.

Renault was seeking to override France's so-called Florange Law, a measure that was passed in March 2014 and allows those who own shares of a public company for longer than two years to have double-voting rights.

Write to Matthew Dalton at Matthew.Dalton@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 02, 2017 14:31 ET (18:31 GMT)