14th Sep 2006 07:00
3i Investments PLC13 September 2006 13 September 2006 Statement re: Possible offer for Countrywide plc ("the Company") Following the recent movement in the Company's share price and pressspeculation, 3i Investments plc confirms that, in conjunction with Harry Hill,Managing Director of Countrywide, and other members of the management team, itexpects shortly to approach Countrywide regarding a possible offer for theCompany. There can be no certainty that any offer will be forthcoming. A further announcement will be made as appropriate. Enquiries: The Maitland Consultancy (020 7379 5151):Angus Maitland (07785 268 283)Suzanne Bartch (07769 710 335) Citigroup is acting for 3i and no one else in connection with this announcementand will not be responsible to any other person for providing the protectionsafforded to clients of Citigroup or for providing advice in relation to thisannouncement. Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code"), if anyperson is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more ofany class of "relevant securities" of Countrywide Plc , all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an option in respectof, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") must bepublicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London businessday following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement willcontinue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared,unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on whichthe "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuantto an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of Countrywide Plc, they will be deemed to bea single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevantsecurities" of Countrywide Plc by 3i Investments Plc or Countrywide Plc, or byany of their respective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevanttransaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevantsecurities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities inissue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website atwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk . "Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economicexposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price ofsecurities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" byvirtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option inrespect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on thePanel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are requiredto disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel. The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the UnitedKingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possessionthis announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe, suchrestrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute aviolation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This announcementdoes not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for anysecurities or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities pursuant to thisannouncement or otherwise in any jurisdiction in which such offer orsolicitation is unlawful. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
CWD.L