31st Oct 2007 16:55
Total voting rights
31 October 2007
In accordance with Disclosure and Transparency Rule 5.6.1., Friends Provident plc (the "Company") advises that as of the close of business on 31 October 2007, the Company's issued share capital now consists of 2,171,674,261 ordinary shares of 10p each, of which 18,317,206 are treasury shares. Accordingly, the Company's capital now consists of 2,153,357,055 ordinary shares with voting rights.
The above figure of 2,153,357,055 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
Dealing disclosure requirements
Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code, if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1 per cent. or more of any class of "relevant securities" of Friends Provident or Resolution plc ("Resolution") all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which any offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances (or, if implemented by a scheme of arrangement, such scheme becomes effective), lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of Friends Provident or Resolution, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the City Code, all "dealings" in "relevant securities" of Resolution by Friends Provident or of Friends Provident by Resolution, or by any of their respective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevant securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
"Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.
Terms in quotation marks are defined in the City Code, which can also be found on the Takeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Takeover Panel.
Enquiries: Gordon Ellis, Company Secretary 01306 653087
FRIENDS PROVIDENT PLCRelated Shares:
Fondul Proprietatea