EasyJet should consider listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange as well as London to attract more American investors, according to the low-cost airline’s founder.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who set up EasyJet in 1994, told The Mail on Sunday that a New York listing could boost its value and bring it closer in size to rival Ryanair. The latter is mainly listed on the Irish stock market and Nasdaq.
—Why would you oppose a secondary listing on the Nasdaq? the tycoon asked. ‘London has lost nothing. You are simply attracting more US shareholders.
“I often look at Ryanair’s value and wonder why it is higher than EasyJet.”
Ryanair is worth £19.6bn, compared to EasyJet’s value of £4.2bn.
Behind: Ryanair is worth £19.6bn, compared to EasyJet’s value of £4.2bn
Haji-Ioannou, whose stake in the company is worth around £649m, has previously been in conflict with the board over its strategy.
He added that the decision would ultimately rest with EasyJet’s management team.
Last week, holiday company Tui became the latest in a series of companies to leave London after shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favor of its delisting, leaving it with a single listing on the Frankfurt stock exchange. in Germany.