Swedish Government Raises US$2.7 Billion From TeliaSonera Share Sale

STOCKHOLM -(Dow Jones)- The Swedish government Thursday said it has sold an 8% stake in telecom operator TeliaSonera for 18 billion Swedish kronor (US$2.68 billion).

The news comes a day after the government said it would sell the 8% stake.

The government said it sold a total of 359.2 million shares in TeliaSonera at SEK50 a share, lowering its stake in the Stockholm-based telecom operator to 37.3% from 45.3%.

Sweden's financial markets minister Mats Odell, who is responsible for selling SEK200 billion worth of state-owned stakes by 2010, said the sale is an important milestone in cutting government ownership.

Deutsche Bank and UBS acted as bookrunners and Carnegie was a selling agent.

-By Magnus Hansson, Dow Jones Newswires; +46 8 545 130 91, magnus.hansson@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 3rd May 2007