- France: French state is giving up majority control of the consumer electronics group THOMSON MULTIMEDIA, of which it currently holds a 51.7% stake. The operation began on Monday and should be completed on 4 October. It will be carried out in a complex manner, through the sale of part of the stake held by the State via the THOMSON SA holding - 10% of the capital, that is, around 25 million shares - and through a capital increase as well as the issue of convertible securities, thus reducing the State's participation to a blocking minority of about 35%. The latter will have EUR 1.7 billion brought into its coffers through the move, while the company will collect EUR 1.8 billion. Currently valued at EUR 15.8 billion, THOMSON MULTIMEDIA made a turnover of EUR 4.07 billion during the first half of 2000.