Lisbon, Nov. 5, 2024 (Lusa) - It was announced on Tuesday that ECO co-founder and director António Costa, who is not related to the former prime minister of Portugal, has become a shareholder in the online newspaper, with a 39.2% stake. This affirms his confidence in the publication's independence and financial sustainability.

"The shareholder structure of Swipe News, the company that owns ECO, has changed. And so, with the same principle of transparency, I share with readers that I myself have gone from being a co-founder (with Paulo Padrão) and director of ECO to a leading shareholder," reads a note from the director, published this Monday.

António Costa now has a 39.% stake in ECO.

According to the publication's fact sheet, António Costa and Paulo Padrão had a 6% stake in the online newspaper.

In turn, 79% was divided amng owners and institutional investors, namely Amorim, Palopique, CIN, MGP, APCL Invest, José Alexandre Oliveira, António Falcão, Alfredo Casimiro, Parinama, Eunea Investments, Rising Ventures and Valens Private Equity.

The remaining 15% was distributed among private individuals.

The shareholder said that this is the opening of a new cycle "which will have other developments", without giving any further details.

On the other hand, he said that the decision to become the largest individual shareholder in the online newspaper, in line with the reference shareholders Luís Guimarães (Polopiqué) and João Serrenho (CIN), reflects his confidence in ECO's editorial success and financial sustainability.

"We will continue to scrutinise the various powers and contribute to an informed society, an essential condition for creating wealth and strengthening the country's social cohesion," reads the same note.

PE/ADB // ADB.

Lusa