Itaúsa evaluates invest in gas market

Itaúsa, Itaú Unibanco investment holding company, to evaluate investments in the gas sector, said the Chairman of the group, Alfredo Setubal. Owner of Alpargatas and shareholder of NTS, holding pipeline is also in one of the consortia vying for parent carrier gas (TAG), which belongs to Petrobras. According to Setubal, there is the expectation of the Petrobrás re-open the dispute by active. "We have looked at a lot of the gas sector, which brings a very good return," said the banker, in a teleconference with analysts and investors following the release of your swing. The TAG pipeline, which transports natural gas in the North and northeast of the country, was put up for sale by Petrobras, but an injunction from justice of Pernambuco has suspended the deal in the middle of last year. With the injunction quashed earlier this year, the State must resume the sale process. The French Engie had an exclusive contract with Petrobras to seal the deal, but other consortiums are paid by outside. The sale of the pipeline could be worth between US $ $8 billion and $ $9 billion to Petrobras, according to sources. The State had already sold two years earlier, 90% of NTS, transports gas pipeline in the Southeast, for $ $4.2 billion. According to Setubal, Itaúsa also does not rule out looking at other assets that can be put up for sale in the privatization program of Petrobras, but gave no details. "We believe this year may arise several opportunities. We select what will be our priorities. We don't want to grow up (non-financial) portfolio of Itaúsa extremely accelerated to take a very large holding debt, "explained Setubal. Itaúsa's main asset is the Itaú Unibanco, which accounts for more than 90% of the holding company. In addition to the Bank, the Group's controlling of Alpargatas, Duratex and a member of the NTS. Results last year, the holding company's net profit totaled $9.436 billion, R high of 15.9% from 2017. In the fourth quarter, net profit was R $2.7 billion, 19% high. In the year, the total assets of the Group amounted to R $58.420 billion, 3.4% in 2017.