10th Sep 2009 14:07
10 September 2009
Bayern LB completes its equity placing of shares in Thomas Cook Group plc
Bayern LB as security agent for and on behalf of Bayern LB, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft ("Commerzbank"), The Royal Bank of Scotland and the remaining lenders in Arcandor AG's lending syndicates, is pleased to announce the successful placement of 376,625,636 ordinary shares of Thomas Cook Group plc at a price of 240 pence per share, raising proceeds of approximately £904 million.
The stake amounted to approximately 43.9% of Thomas Cook Group plc's issued share capital and represented the entire amount held (directly or indirectly) by Arcandor AG. Commerzbank, RBS Hoare Govett Limited ("RBS Hoare Govett") and UBS Investment Bank, (together the "Bookrunners") acted as joint bookrunners on the placement.
Enquiries:
Commerzbank, Tel: +44 (0)20 7475 6789
Aline Burgmann
RBS Hoare Govett, Tel: +44 (0)20 7678 8000
Nicholas Haag, UK ECM
Alex Reynolds, UK ECM
UBS Investment Bank, Tel: +44 (0)20 7567 8000
Christopher Smith
Nick Bishop
General
This announcement has been issued by and is the sole responsibility of Bayern LB ("BLB").
This announcement and the information contained herein is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to acquire, subscribe for or dispose of any securities in the capital of the Company in the United States, Australia, Canada, or Japan or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or invitation is unlawful. Neither this announcement nor any copy of it may be taken, transmitted or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan or in any jurisdiction in which such publication or distribution is unlawful. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of United States, Australian, Canadian or Japanese or other applicable securities laws.
The Placing Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the 'Securities Act') or under the securities laws of any State or other jurisdiction of the United States, and may not be offered, sold or transferred in the United States absent registration under or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of, the Securities Act and the securities laws of any State or other jurisdiction of the United States. There will be no public offering of securities in the United States or elsewhere.
Any investment decision to buy securities in the Placing must be made solely on the basis of publicly available information which has not been independently verified by the Company, BLB or any of the Banks. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by any of the Company, BLB or the Banks or by any of their respective affiliates or agents as to or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.
The price of shares and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested on disposal of the Placing Shares.
The distribution of this announcement and the offering or sale of the Placing Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. No action has been taken by the Company, BLB, the Banks or any of their respective affiliates that would, or which is intended to, permit (i) a public offer of the Placing Shares in any jurisdiction or (ii) possession or distribution of this announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to the Placing Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required by the Company, BLB and the Banks to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.
RBS Hoare Govett Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively for BLB and no one else in connection with the Placing, and will not be responsible to anyone other than BLB for providing the protections offered to customers of RBS Hoare Govett Limited nor for providing advice in relation to the Placing or any other matter referred to herein.
UBS Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively for BLB and no one else in connection with the Placing, and will not be responsible to anyone other than BLB for providing the protections offered to customers of UBS Limited nor for providing advice in relation to the Placing or any other matter referred to herein.
Commerzbank AG, London Branch is authorised by Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Services Authority. Details on the extent of our regulation by the Financial Services Authority are available from us on request. Commerzbank AG is acting exclusively for BLB and no one else in connection with the Placing, and will not be responsible to anyone other than BLB for providing the protections offered to customers of Commerzbank nor for providing advice in relation to the Placing or any other matter referred to herein.
Related Shares:
Thomas Cook