Fosun International Limited (SEHK:656) is open to selling its remaining stake in Portugal's Millennium bcp (Banco Comercial Português, S.A. (ENXTLS:BCP)) after disposing of some shares earlier this year, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The Chinese conglomerate, which aims to boost its working capital amid what analysts see as debt pressure, has been evaluating options, such as finding a strategic buyer for the 20% holding, one of the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The stake was worth around EUR 836 million ($910 million) on March 18, 2024, according to LSEG data.

European lenders including Spain's Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BME:BBVA) and CaixaBank, S.A. (BME:CABK) have been sounded out as potential buyers, the second source said. However, CaixaBank has indicated it has little interest in acquiring the stake, that source and a third one familiar with the lender's thinking said. Fosun did not respond to a request for comment.

Millennium bcp, BBVA, and Caixabank declined to comment. In January, Fosun sold 5.6% of Portugal's largest listed bank for EUR 235 million in a private offering to institutional investors arranged by UBS. A spokesperson for the Chinese group said at the time that it planned to retain a stake above 20%.

Fosun is the largest single shareholder in Millennium bcp, followed by Angolan state oil company Sonangol with 19.49%.