Tourism

Tui favors Frankfurt Stock Exchange over London

Tui intends to make a comeback on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, opting to depart from London. The travel conglomerate announces that this move is in accordance with the preferences of investors.

Tui favors Frankfurt Stock Exchange over London

Nine years after being listed in London, the tourism company Tui is considering moving its shares from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's free market to the regulated market in Frankfurt. This move would involve shifting its primary listing from the river Thames to the Main. "Given the opinions expressed by shareholders and further feedback from shareholders, the board is currently considering whether an upgrade to the Prime Standard on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with inclusion in the MDax and a delisting from the London Stock Exchange might be in the best interest of shareholders", Tui announced on the day of the presentation of the financial statements for the fiscal year 2022/23.

Changed share ownership

As a central reason, the management states that "especially in the last four years, the ownership of Tui AG shares and liquidity on the stock exchanges have changed significantly, with a clear shift in liquidity from England to Germany." In addition, the board cites other arguments in favor of listing in Frankfurt. These include the "centralization of liquidity," cost reductions, and a potential strengthening of the equity profile given a prominent position in the index of the 50 largest secondary stocks (MDax). Finally, reference is made to "benefits in fulfilling EU requirements for ownership and control of airlines."

This year, Linde, the company with the largest market capitalization, left Frankfurt. It has fueled the debate about the attractiveness of the Frankfurt stock exchange. In recent years, various German companies, like Biontech, have chosen not to list in Frankfurt when making their initial debut on the stock market.

Successful turnaround

Meanwhile, the tourism company, which completed the past fiscal year with a record revenue of €20.8 billion and achieved a turnaround, is showing more ambition for this year than analysts expected. With a planned increase in adjusted operating profit by a quarter, Tui is aiming 7% higher than what is reflected in consensus estimates. CEO Sebastian Ebel counts on a substantial contribution from the largest segment, Markets & Airlines, thanks to "proper hedging." In addition, the booking numbers for the upcoming winter season (+11%) and the upcoming summer (+13%), accompanied by increased average prices, provide cause for optimism.