16th Jul 2007 16:15
SABMiller PLC16 July 2007 16 July 2007 SABMiller announces a Rand 1.6 billion bond issue and debt refinancing SABMiller plc, the world's second largest brewer by volume, announces that itswholly owned subsidiary, SABSA Holdings (Pty) Ltd, has successfully priced a5-year Rand 1.6 billion note issue in South Africa. The notes, issued under aRand 4 billion Domestic Medium Term Note Programme, are guaranteed by SABMillerplc and will be listed on BESA, the South African Bond Exchange. Moody'sInvestors Service and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services have assigned theprogramme long-term ratings for South Africa of 'Aa3za' and 'zaAA' respectively. The notes will be issued in one tranche of Rand 1.6 billion of 5-year notes witha coupon of 9.935%. The net proceeds of the notes will be used to repay part of existing loanfacilities that were utilised to fund The South African Breweries Ltd. Thesettlement of the issue will be on 19 July 2007. In due course, short term commercial paper will be issued under the Rand 4billion Domestic Medium Term Note Programme. Moody's Investors Service andStandard & Poor's Ratings Services have assigned the programme short-termratings for South Africa of 'P-1za' and 'zaA-1' respectively. Malcolm Wyman, Chief Financial Officer, SABMiller plc, said "We are very pleasedby the reception of bond investors to the return of the SABMiller group to thecapital markets in South Africa. Investors' recognition of the strength ofSABMiller's business mix and cash flow generation has enabled us to undertakethis important refinancing at competitive pricing levels which have beenimproved further by hedging activities undertaken ahead of the issuance." The notes were placed by Standard Bank and Rand Merchant Bank, a division ofFirstRand Bank Limited. This announcement may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into theUnited States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The notes and the related guarantees have not been, and will not be, registeredunder the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), andmay not be offered or sold in the United States (as such term is defined inRegulation S under the Securities Act) unless they are registered under theSecurities Act or pursuant to an exemption from registration. No public offer ofthe notes or the related guarantees is being made in the United States. This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer to sell or anysolicitation of an offer to purchase nor shall it, or the fact of itsdistribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in any purchase. Thisannouncement and any subsequent offer of securities may be restricted by law incertain jurisdictions and persons receiving this announcement or any subsequentoffer should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Failureto comply with such restrictions may violate securities laws of any suchjurisdiction. The purchase of the notes was made on the basis of the information contained inthe formal programme memorandum (the "Programme Memorandum") and any supplementor amendment thereto. The Programme Memorandum contains detailed informationabout SABSA Holdings (Pty) Limited and SABMiller plc, as well as financialstatements and other financial data. Ends About SABMiller plc SABMiller plc is one of the world's largest brewers with brewing interests ordistribution agreements in over 60 countries across six continents. The group'sbrands include premium international beers such as Miller Genuine Draft, PeroniNastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as an exceptional range of marketleading local brands. Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is also one of the largestbottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world. In the year ended 31 March 2007, the group reported US$3,154 million adjustedpre-tax profit and revenue of US$18,620 million. SABMiller plc is listed on theLondon and Johannesburg stock exchanges. This announcement is available on the company website: www.sabmiller.com High resolution images are available for the media to view and download free ofcharge from www.sabmiller.com or www.newscast.co.uk Enquiries:----------------- ----------------------- ------------------ SABMiller plc Tel: +44 20 7659 0100 Sue Clark Director of Corporate Affairs Tel: +44 20 7659 0184David Mallac Group Treasurer Tel: +44 1483 264000 Gary Leibowitz Senior Vice President, Investor Tel: +44 20 7659 0119 Relations Nigel Fairbrass Head of Media Relations Tel: +44 7799 894265 This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or thesolicitation of an offer to buy or acquire securities of SABMiller plc (theCompany) or any of its affiliates in any jurisdiction or an inducement to enterinto investment activity. Any information contained in this announcement on theprice at which the Company's securities have been bought or sold in the past, oron the yield on such securities, should not be relied upon as a guide to futureperformance. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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