(News Bulletin 247) – Airbus throws in the towel. The aircraft manufacturer has just indicated that it will not continue the discussions started with Atos concerning its investment in Evidian. The Atos title unscrews.

Atos wins by more than 16% while Airbus has indicated that it will not continue the discussions started last February with Atos concerning a minority stake of 29.9% in its future branch of digital and cybersecurity activities.

Earlier in the day, BFM Business reported that several Airbus directors questioned the “unreasonable price” asked by Atos as well as “the structure of the operation”.

Airbus then estimated that Evidian was not worth the 4 billion euros requested by Atos while the group has been posting poor results for three years. In this context, Airbus is reluctant to pay the 1.2 billion euros to buy back the 29.9% stake in Evidian. An expensive price paid while the aircraft manufacturer will not be able to control the future cybersecurity division of Atos.

Atos therefore says to take note of Airbus’ decision. However, the digital services company confirms that it is exploring other options with Airbus with a view to “working on the long-term strategic and technological partnership between Airbus and Atos, which has the potential to create significant value for both companies, in the prospect of submitting these options for consideration by its board of directors”.