25th Oct 2012 15:32
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2012
SISTEMA SIGNS NON-BINDING INDICATIVE OFFER WITH MTS
TO INVEST IN MTS-BANK
Moscow, Russia - October 25, 2012 - Sistema JSFC ("Sistema" or the "Company") (LSE: SSA), the largest publicly-traded diversified holding company in Russia and the CIS, today announces that it has signed a non-binding indicative offer with Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("MTS") and MTS Bank OJSC ("MTS Bank") regarding the issuance of up to 25.095% stake in MTS Bank to MTS.
Under the terms of the indicative offer, MTS would acquire up to 25.095% stake in MTS Bank through an additional share issue by MTS Bank for up to RUB 5.09 billion. The proceeds from the transaction will be added to MTS Bank's charter capital. Once the transaction is completed, MTS will become the second largest shareholder in MTS Bank, while Sistema's direct stake in MTS Bank will be 65.3%.
The indicative offer is not legally binding. The transaction is subject to corporate approvals by Sistema and MTS, regulatory approvals by the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia and the Central Bank of Russia, satisfactory conclusion of due diligence, and execution of binding documentation. The additional share issue is also subject to approval by an Extraordinary General Meeting of MTS Bank Shareholders.
Mikhail Shamolin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sistema, commented: "The acquisition of a stake in MTS Bank by MTS will unlock synergies between financial and mobile services. The consumer finance sector is expected to see significant growth over the coming years and this partnership positions both MTS and MTS Bank to benefit from this opportunity".
***
For further information, please visit www.sistema.com or contact:
| Investor Relations Evgeniy Chuikov Tel.: +7 (495) 692 1100 | Public Relations Vsevolod Sementsov Tel.:+7 (495) 730 1705 |
Sistema is the largest publicly-traded diversified holding company in Russia and the CIS, which invests in and is a major shareholder of companies serving over 100 million customers in the sectors of telecommunications, high technology, oil and energy, radars and aerospace, banking, retail, mass-media, tourism and healthcare services. Founded in 1993, the company reported revenues of US$ 8.1 billion for the second quarter of 2012, and total assets of US$ 43.6 billion as at June 30, 2012. Sistema's global depository receipts are listed under the symbol "SSA" on the London Stock Exchange. Sistema's ordinary shares are listed under the symbol "AFKS" on the MICEX-RTS Stock Exchange, and under the symbol "SIST" on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MSE). Sistema was ranked number 315 in the 2011 edition of the Fortune Global 500 list. Website: www.sistema.com
The Company is not an investment company, and is not and will not be registered as such, under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940.
Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Sistema. You can identify forward looking statements by terms such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "will," "could," "may" or "might" the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not intend to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Many factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, general economic conditions, our competitive environment, risks associated with operating in Russia, rapid technological and market change in our industries, as well as many other risks specifically related to Sistema and its operations.
This document does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any shares or other securities of JSFC Sistema and/or any of its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, nor shall any part of it nor the fact of its distribution form part of or be relied on in connection with any contract or investment decision relating thereto, nor does it constitute a recommendation regarding the shares or securities of JSFC Sistema and/or any of its subsidiaries and affiliated companies.
Copyright Business Wire 2012
Related Shares:
SSA.L