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Mark Mobius not certain about Franklin Templeton’s participation in Rosneft privatization

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. Executive Chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group and well-known investor Mark Mobius is not certain whether Franklin Templeton investment holding participates in privatization of Russian oil major Rosneft.

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"[I am] not certain since various analysts within the organization are looking at that and other issues," Mobius told TASS on Monday.

Sanctions and other factors not disclosed by Franklin Templeton are reasons of such uncertainty, the investor said. Analysts of Franklin Templeton are currently performing a deep analysis of the company, including an assessment of undertaking value and management quality of Rosneft to decide on the investment, Mobius said.

"I can’t comment on specific issues but in all such cases analysts in Templeton will look at all factors as regards to valuation and management to determine their willingness to invest. Besides sanctions it is a matter of a straightforward analysis just like any other company in which we might invest," Mobius said.

The Russian Government made a decision to sell its stake in Rosneft early in 2016. An option of bringing in a strategic investor is suitable, Chief Executive of Rosneft Igor Sechin said earlier on the air with Rossiya 24 TV Channel.

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