EP Group, a.s. is one of the largest privately owned industrial conglomerates operating across the European Union and the United Kingdom. Through its main subsidiaries, Energetický a průmyslový holding, a.s. (“EPH”) and EP Energy Transition, a.s., EP Group is a leading European electricity producer and operator of vital energy infrastructure assets, including power grids and gas distribution and storage facilities.
Recently, the Group and its affiliates successfully finalized three strategic transactions:
• A take-private offer for International Distribution Services Plc (“IDS”), the parent company of Royal Mail and GLS.
• A delisting offer for Metro AG (“Metro”), launched by EP Global Commerce GmbH (“EPGC”), an affiliate of the Group.
• EPH becoming a 66% shareholder of Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. (“SE”).
Through its controlling stake in IDS, EP Group has become one of the leading European parcel logistics companies and a proud shareholder of Royal Mail, the universal provider of postal services in the United Kingdom with a history spanning more than 500 years. With METRO AG, EP Group will acquire the largest European cash & carry and food service delivery provider, active in 23 countries worldwide. The acquisition of Slovenské elektrárne, a.s., Slovakia’s dominant electricity producer generating power from zero-emission assets such as nuclear, hydro, and solar, has strengthened EP’s position in clean energy production.
These three transactions redefine EP’s scale and diversification, making it one of the most prominent and financially resilient business conglomerates in Europe. If aggregated, EP Group, a.s., Slovenské elektrárne, a.s., IDS, and METRO AG would generate revenue close to EUR 80 billion, EBITDA of EUR 8 billion, and employ around 275,000 people.
S&P Global Ratings reviewed the Group and its major companies, assigning the following credit ratings following the completion of these transactions:
1. EPH: long-term issuer credit rating affirmed at BBB- with a Positive outlook, having the same credit quality as EP Group
2. IDS: Long-term issuer credit rating at BBB- with a Stable outlook.
3. Metro: Long-term rating affirmed at BB+ with a Positive outlook.
S&P emphasizes that this balanced mix—with low correlation between segments, strong geographic reach and low risk of cash-flow volatility – has materially strengthened EPG’s credit profile.
„We appreciate S&P Global Rating’s decision to upgrade EP Group’s credit outlook to Positive. This validates EP Group’s strategic efforts to build a robust, multi-segment industrial group with leading positions in energy, logistics, and food wholesale. Our goal is to achieve and maintain investment-grade ratings for all core subsidiaries – EPH, IDS, and Metro. We are dedicated to enhancing the business and financial profiles of our key companies and maintain a flexible dividend policy, ensuring no dividends are paid from core subsidiaries until a sustainable investment-grade rating is achieved,“ stated Pavel Horský, Member of the Board of Directors and CFO of EP Group.