Worldline to Raise €500m in Two-Stage Capital Operation to Repair Balance Sheet

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Worldline, the French payments group, said on Thursday it will seek to raise €500 million through a two-stage equity operation aimed at shoring up its finances and restoring confidence among investors after a difficult period.

The plan begins with a €110 million reserved share placement to key French lenders Bpifrance, Credit Agricole and BNP Paribas, with the trio committing to subscribe about €135 million in aggregate. The second element is a €390 million rights issue available to all shareholders, which the company expects to complete in the first quarter of 2026. If carried out as planned, Bpifrance would hold 9.6%, Credit Agricole 9.5% and BNP Paribas 7.9% of Worldline.

Once a high-flying name in France’s tech sector, Worldline has seen its market value collapse by roughly 97% from a 2021 peak above €20 billion. The company has grappled with client losses, repeated profit warnings, boardroom instability and softer consumer spending that has weighed on payments volumes.

Adding to its troubles, Worldline faces a criminal inquiry over alleged money laundering at its Belgian unit, an investigation that has further damaged its reputation and complicated its recovery efforts.

Financial strain intensified in 2025 as weaker operating results and elevated restructuring costs have squeezed cash generation, with forecasts showing free cash flow ranging from roughly break-even to a €30 million shortfall by year-end. To improve liquidity, the firm is preparing to divest its mobility arm, its North American operations and its electronic data management business, targeting up to €400 million in proceeds.

Management still aims for a turnaround over the medium term: planning for about 4% annual revenue growth from 2027 to 2030, €1 billion in core earnings and a return to positive free cash flow potentially as early as 2027.

Combined, the capital raise and asset sales are intended to strengthen Worldline’s balance sheet, calm investors and provide a platform to rebuild competitiveness in the global payments market after several turbulent years.