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ADJOURNMENT OF COURT MEETING AND GENERAL MEETING

16th Aug 2021 15:00

RNS Number : 7954I
Morrison(Wm.)Supermarkets PLC
16 August 2021
 

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

16 August 2021

WM MORRISON SUPERMARKETS PLC

ADJOURNMENT OF COURT MEETING AND GENERAL MEETING

On 6 August 2021, the boards of directors of Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC ("Morrisons") and Oppidum Bidco Limited ("Bidco") announced that they had agreed the terms of an increased recommended all cash offer at an increased offer value of 272 pence for each Morrisons Share, comprising increased Cash Consideration of 270 pence for each Morrisons Share and the Special Dividend of 2 pence for each Morrisons Share (the "Increased Fortress Offer") for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Morrisons (the "Increased Fortress Offer Announcement").

Following the Increased Fortress Offer Announcement, the Morrisons Board further announced on 6 August 2021 that CD&R had asked that it be provided with more time to consider its options in response to the Increased Fortress Offer and that the Morrisons Directors considered it to be in Morrisons Shareholders' interests to adjourn the Court Meeting and the General Meeting required to implement the Increased Fortress Offer, both due to be held on 16 August 2021.

The Morrisons Directors confirm that the Court Meeting and the General Meeting required to implement the Increased Fortress Offer were adjourned earlier today. The Court Meeting will now start at 11.00 a.m. on 27 August 2021 and the General Meeting will start at 11.15 a.m. on 27 August 2021 (or as soon thereafter as the Court Meeting shall have been concluded or adjourned). The Court Meeting and the General Meeting will both be held at Hilmore House, Gain Lane, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD3 7DL. In light of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 restrictions that may be in place as at the date of the Meetings, and in order to protect the health and safety of all stakeholders, Scheme Shareholders, Morrisons Shareholders and other attendees (including any of their duly appointed proxies and/or corporate representatives) are strongly encouraged not to attend the Court Meeting or the General Meeting in person. Scheme Shareholders and Morrisons Shareholders (and any of their duly appointed proxies and/or corporate representatives) will be able to (i) attend and vote at the Meetings remotely via the Virtual Meeting Platform and (ii) submit questions and/or objections remotely in writing via the Virtual Meeting Platform or orally by telephone.

The Morrisons Board also notes that the Panel has ruled that, unless the Panel consents otherwise, CD&R must, by 5.00 p.m. on 20 August 2021, either announce a firm intention to make an offer for Morrisons under Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for Morrisons.

The Morrisons Directors continue to believe that the Increased Fortress Offer is in the best interests of Morrisons Shareholders taken as a whole and recommend unanimously that Morrisons Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolution at the General Meeting.

In light of the adjournment of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting to 27 August 2021, the expected timetable of principal events for the implementation of the Scheme (as amended to reflect the terms of the Increased Fortress Offer) set out on page 15 of the Scheme Document (as defined below) will be revised in accordance with the timetable set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement. Any subsequent revision to these dates will be notified to Morrisons Shareholders by issuing a further announcement through a Regulatory Information Service.

Capitalised terms used and not defined in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the scheme document in respect of the Fortress Offer published and made available to Morrisons Shareholders on 22 July 2021 (the "Scheme Document").

 

Enquiries

Morrisons

Andrew Kasoulis (Investor Relations Director)

Simon Rigby (Director of External Communications)

 

+44 7785 343 515

+44 7771 784 446

Further information

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Fortress Offer or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Morrisons in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The Fortress Offer will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the Scheme Document (as modified by this announcement) (or, if the Fortress Offer is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the Fortress Offer Document), which contains the full terms and conditions of the Fortress Offer (as modified by this announcement), including details of how to vote in respect of the Fortress Offer. Any vote in respect of, or other response to, the Fortress Offer should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document (or, if the Fortress Offer is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the Fortress Offer Document).

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, prospectus equivalent document or an exempted document.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement, oral statements made regarding the Fortress Offer, and other information published by Bidco and Morrisons contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Bidco and Morrisons about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include statements relating to the expected timing and scope of the Fortress Offer and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Although Bidco and Morrisons believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Bidco and Morrisons can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future.

There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete the Fortress Offer; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on the proposed terms; changes in the global political, economic, business and competitive environments and in market and regulatory forces; changes in future exchange and interest rates; changes in tax rates; future business combinations or disposals; changes in general economic and business conditions; changes in the behaviour of other market participants; the anticipated benefits from the Fortress Offer not being realised as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions in the countries in which Bidco and Morrisons operate; weak, volatile or illiquid capital and/or credit markets; changes in the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Bidco and Morrisons operate; and changes in laws or in supervisory expectations or requirements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected in the forward-looking statements. If any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialises or if any one or more of the assumptions proves incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors.

Neither Bidco nor Morrisons, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur. Given the risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place any reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations, neither Bidco nor Morrisons is under any obligation, and Bidco and Morrisons expressly disclaim any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Dealing and Opening Position Disclosure requirements

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in one per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified.

An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th Business Day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th Business Day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in one per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8 of the Takeover Code. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the Business Day following the date of the relevant dealing.

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code.

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4 of the Takeover Code).

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

Publication on a website

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this announcement will be made available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Morrisons' website at www.morrisons-corporate.com/investor-centre/offer-from-fortress and Fortress' website at www.fortress.com/offer-for-morrisons by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the first Business Day following the date of this announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the contents of these websites nor the contents of any websites accessible from any hyperlinks is incorporated into or forms part of this announcement.

APPENDIX 1

EXPECTED TIMETABLE OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS

All times shown are London time unless otherwise stated. All dates and times are based on Morrisons' and Bidco's current expectations and continue to be subject to change. If any of the dates and/or times in this expected timetable change again, the revised dates and/or times will be notified to Morrisons Shareholders by announcement through a Regulatory Information Service, with such announcement being made available on Morrisons' website at www.morrisons-corporate.com/investor-centre/offer-from-fortress.

Event

Expected time/date(1)

Latest time for lodging Forms of Instruction for:

Court Meeting (BLUE form)

General Meeting (WHITE form)

 

11.00 a.m. on 24 August 2021

11.15 a.m. on 24 August 2021

Latest time for lodging Forms of Proxy for:

Court Meeting (BLUE form)

General Meeting (WHITE form)

 

11.00 a.m. on 25 August 2021(2)

11.15 a.m. on 25 August 2021(2)

Voting Record Time

6.30 p.m. on 25 August 2021(3)

Court Meeting

11.00 a.m. on 27 August 2021

General Meeting

11.15 a.m. on 27 August 2021(4)

The following dates are indicative only and subject to change; please see note (1) below

Scheme Court Hearing

3 September 2021

Last day of dealings in, and for registration of transfers of, and disablement in CREST of, Morrisons Shares

6 September 2021(5)

Suspension of listing of, and dealings in, Morrisons Shares

6.00 p.m. on 6 September 2021

Scheme Record Time and record date for the Special Dividend

6.00 p.m. on 6 September 2021

Effective Date of the Scheme(6)

7 September 2021

Cancellation of listing of Morrisons Shares

by 8.00 a.m. on 8 September 2021

Latest date for electronic payment/dispatch of cheques/settlement through CREST in respect of the consideration for the Fortress Offer and payment of the Special Dividend

Within 14 days of the Effective Date

Latest date by which Scheme must be implemented

2 April 2022(7)

 

Notes:

(1) These times and dates are indicative only and will depend on, among other things, the date(s) upon which (i) the Conditions are satisfied or (where applicable) waived, (ii) the Court sanctions the Scheme, and (iii) the Court Order sanctioning the Scheme is delivered to the Registrar of Companies. If the expected date of the Scheme Court Hearing is changed, Morrisons will give adequate notice of the changes by issuing an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service.

(2) The BLUE Form of Proxy for the Court Meeting, if not received by the time stated above (or, if the Court Meeting is adjourned again, 48 hours (excluding non-working days) before such adjourned Court Meeting), may be handed to a representative of Equiniti Limited, on behalf of the Chair of the Court Meeting, or to the Chair of the Court Meeting, before the start of that Meeting. However, in order to be valid, the WHITE Form of Proxy must be received no later than 11.15 a.m. on 25 August 2021 (or, if the General Meeting is adjourned again, 48 hours (excluding non-working days) before the time fixed for such adjourned General Meeting). Please see "Action to be taken" in the Scheme Document.

(3) If either the Court Meeting or the General Meeting is adjourned again, the Voting Record Time for the relevant adjourned Meeting will be 6.30 p.m. on the date which is two Business Days before the date set for such adjourned Meeting.

(4) To commence at 11.15 a.m. or as soon thereafter as the Court Meeting shall have concluded or adjourned.

(5) Morrisons Shares will be disabled in CREST from 6.00 p.m. on 6 September 2021.

(6) The Scheme will become Effective pursuant to its terms upon the Court Order being delivered to the Registrar of Companies

(7) The latest date by which the Scheme must be implemented may be extended by agreement between Morrisons and Bidco with the prior consent of the Panel and (if required) the approval of the Court.

 

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