The ACS-controlled German construction group, HOCHTIEF, announced on June 28th, 2013, that it has increased the Group's stake in subsidiary Leighton Holdings Ltd., Sydney. For this purpose, around 4.8 million shares of the Australian company were acquired in the market. Now HOCHTIEF's stake in Leighton is about 55% (exactly: 54.96%).

"We see Leighton as a strategic investment and as our core business. The company has excellent growth opportunities and a very good market position. We intend to further increase our shareholding in Leighton", says Marcelino Fernández Verdes, CEO of HOCHTIEF.

HOCHTIEF sais the current market environment as an excellent opportunity to step up its shareholding in the Australian company.

"For several decades now, HOCHTIEF has been a major shareholder, and oriented in the long term, in Leighton. Both companies have mutually aligned, complementary business strategies and cooperate on a trustful basis. The HOCHTIEF Management is convinced of the unique competitive position of Leighton, the subsidiary's strategy and the future opportunities of the company."

HOCHTIEF can acquire 3 per cent of Leighton every six months, under Australian law.

In March 2013, Leighton Holdings chairman Stephen Johns quit in protest after Marcelino Fernandez, ACS's board member in HOCHTIEF and Leighton, tried to intervene in the appointment of Leighton's independent directors, when there was an agreement of Board independence.