13th Apr 2005 18:04
Aviva PLC13 April 2005 News release NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN 13 April 2005 Aviva plc Recommended Cash and Share Offer for RAC plc (the "Offer") Extension of Offer and Level of Acceptances On 9 March 2005, Aviva plc ("Aviva") announced the terms of a recommended offerfor the issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of RAC plc ("RAC"). TheOffer was made by Goldman Sachs International and JPMorgan Cazenove Limited onbehalf of Aviva by means of an offer document published on 23 March 2005 (the"Offer Document"). Aviva announces today that as at 3.00 p.m. (London time) on 13 April 2005, thefirst closing date of the Offer, valid acceptances of the Offer had beenreceived by Aviva in respect of a total of 61,791,991 RAC ordinary shares ("RACShares"), representing approximately 52.00 per cent. of the issued ordinaryshare capital of RAC. Save as disclosed in the Offer Document and above, neither Aviva nor any personacting, or deemed to be acting, in concert with Aviva held RAC Shares (or rightsover RAC Shares) immediately before the commencement of the offer period or,during the offer period, has acquired or agreed to acquire RAC Shares (or rightsover RAC Shares) and no acceptances of the Offer have been received from anypersons acting, or deemed to be acting, in concert with RAC. Aviva also announces that it is extending the Offer and the Mix and MatchFacility for 14 days and that the next closing date will be 3.00 p.m. (Londontime) on 27 April 2005. RAC Shareholders who hold their RAC Shares in certificated form and who wish toaccept the Offer in relation to those shares, and who have not done so, shouldcomplete their Forms of Acceptance as soon as possible, in accordance with theinstructions printed thereon and return them, as soon as possible, to theReceiving Agent, Lloyds TSB Registrars, by post or by hand at Lloyds TSBRegistrars, The Causeway, Worthing, West Sussex BN99 6DA or by hand only toLloyds TSB Registrars, Third Floor, Princess House, Suffolk Lane, London EC4R0AY, and in any event by no later than 3.00 p.m. (London time) on 27 April 2005. RAC Shareholders who hold their RAC Shares in uncertificated form (that is, inCREST) and who wish to accept the Offer in relation to those shares, and whohave not done so, should make their acceptances electronically through CREST, inaccordance with the instructions set out in paragraph 16 of Part II of the OfferDocument, so that the TTE instruction settles no later than 3.00 p.m. (Londontime) on 27 April 2005. SHAREHOLDER HELPLINE: 0870 609 2082 (or +44 1903 702 767 from outside the UK) For legal reasons, the Shareholder Helpline will only be able to provideinformation contained in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance and willbe unable to give advice on the merits of the Offer or to provide financialadvice. Goldman Sachs International and JPMorgan Cazenove Limited, which are authorisedand regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, areacting exclusively for Aviva and no one else in connection with the Offer andthis announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Aviva forproviding the protections afforded to their clients nor for providing advice inconnection with the Offer or this announcement or any matter referred to herein. Lazard & Co., Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdomby the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for RAC and no oneelse in connection with the Offer and this announcement and will not beresponsible to anyone other than RAC for providing the protections afforded toits clients nor for providing advice in connection with the Offer or thisannouncement or any matter referred to herein. -ends- Enquiries: Aviva plc Analysts and investors Nicole Marques, investor relations executive +44 (0)20 7662 8302 Media Hayley Stimpson, director of external affairs +44 (0)20 7662 7544 Liz Kennett, senior media relations manager, NUI +44 (0)1603 688 263 Goldman Sachs International +44 (0)20 7774 1000John RafterAndrew Dodd JPMorgan Cazenove Limited +44 (0)20 7588 2828Tim WiseConor Hillery Financial Dynamics +44 (0)20 7269 7200Rob Bailhache RAC plc Analysts and investorsNiall Addison, +44 (0)7764 624 701Group Finance and Investor Relations Manager MediaNeil Lovell, Corporate Communications Director +44 (0)7768 298 636 Lazard +44 (0)20 7187 2000Will SamuelPaul JamesonSamuel Bertrand Hoare Govett +44 (0)20 7678 8000Bob PringleCaroline Griffiths Brunswick +44 (0)20 7404 5959Anita ScottNigel Prideaux This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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