29th Aug 2008 16:00
OFFER UPDATE
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 29 August 2008
THUS Group plc
Recommendation to accept Cable & Wireless' Offer
The Board of THUS (the "Board") notes the announcement on 27 August 2008 by C&W Holdco that, as at 1.00 p.m. (London time) on 26 August 2008, C&W Holdco owned or had received valid acceptances in respect of a total of 143,633,644 THUS Shares which represents approximately 78.5 per cent. of the issued share capital of THUS.
While the Board remains confident in the standalone prospects of THUS, the Board recognises there are risks of remaining as a minority shareholder in THUS in light of C&W's stated intention to de-list THUS Shares upon the Offer being declared unconditional. The Board also notes that no higher offer for THUS has been received.
For these reasons, the Board, who have been so advised by Greenhill, now recommend that shareholders accept the Offer, as the Board intends to do in respect of its own beneficial holdings.
The Offer will remain open for acceptance until the next closing date which will be 1.00 p.m. (London time) on 9 September 2008. Full details of how to accept the Offer in respect of certificated and uncertificated THUS Shares are set out in the Offer Document and, in the case of certificated THUS Shares, the accompanying Form of Acceptance. Additional Forms of Acceptance are available from Equiniti, by telephoning 0871 384 2908 or, if calling from outside the UK, on +44 121 415 0285.
Terms used in this announcement shall have the meaning given to them in the Offer Document dated 14 July 2008, unless the context requires otherwise.
Enquiries:
|
Smithfield (PR adviser to THUS) John Antcliffe |
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7360 4900 |
|
GREENHILL (Financial adviser to THUS) James Lupton David Wyles |
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7198 7400 |
Greenhill & Co International LLP ("Greenhill") is acting exclusively for THUS and for no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than THUS for providing the protections afforded to clients of Greenhill, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matters referred to in this announcement.
The directors of THUS accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors of THUS (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
Related Shares:
CWC.L