Czech Television reports that EP Global Commerce (EPGC), owned by the Czech business moguls Daniela Křetínský a Patrik Tkáč, have taken a 7.3 percent stake in Metro AG. They also have an option for a further 15.2 percent stake in the company, which operates the Makro chain of hypermarkets. The deal for the shares was made with Haniel Finance Deutschland, a subsidiary of Franz Haniel & Cie which is the biggest shareholder in Metro. Křetínský said EPGC was likely to use the option. “We don’t rule out shares in the company from other shareholders,” he said. Křetínský has a broad range of financial activities around the Czech Republic, including the Sparta football club, which he owns. Tkáč is one of the founders of the J&T investment group.
