| Wed 29 Sep 2004, 12:21 | | ANGLO AMERICAN PLC - LEVEL OF ACCEPTANCES OF THE R |
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ANGLO AMERICAN PLC - LEVEL OF ACCEPTANCES OF THE RECOMMENDED CASH OFFER FOR
JOHNSTON GROUP PLC - OFFERS EXTENDED
Anglo American plc
(Incorporated in the United Kingdom)
Registration number: 3564138
Share code: AGL
ISIN: GB0004901517
(the `Company`)
ANGLO AMERICAN PLC - LEVEL OF ACCEPTANCES OF THE RECOMMENDED CASH OFFER FOR
JOHNSTON GROUP PLC - OFFERS EXTENDED
Anglo American plc (`Anglo American`) announces that by 3.00pm (London time) on
28 September 2004, it has received valid acceptances of the offer for the entire
issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Johnston Group PLC
(`Johnston`) not already owned by Anglo American or its subsidiaries (the
`Ordinary Offer`) from the holders of 3,138,859 Johnston Ordinary Shares
(representing approximately 29.0 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share
capital of Johnston).
Immediately prior to the commencement of the Offer Period, Anglo American held
2,696,438 Johnston Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 24.9 per cent. of
the issued share capital of Johnston.
As set out in the offer document dated 7 September 2004 (the `Offer Document`),
Anglo American has received irrevocable undertakings to accept, or cause
acceptance of, the Ordinary Offer from the Johnston Family Shareholders in
respect of 5,427,147 Johnston Ordinary Shares representing approximately 50.1
per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Johnston. The terms
of the irrevocable undertakings provide that acceptances only need to be
provided by 19 October 2004, provided that before such time the Ordinary Offer
is wholly unconditional (other than as to acceptances). Anglo American is
continuing to seek OFT and other appropriate regulatory clearances for the
transaction. Certain of the Johnston Family Shareholders have, notwithstanding
the terms of the irrevocable undertakings, already accepted the offer in respect
of 1,084,687 Johnston Ordinary Shares.
Accordingly, Anglo American now owns or has received acceptances in respect of,
or has irrevocable undertakings to accept the Ordinary Offer in respect of,
10,177,757 Johnston Ordinary Shares representing approximately 94.0 per cent. of
the existing issued ordinary share capital of Johnston.
As of 28 September 2004, Anglo American had received valid acceptances in
respect of the Preference Share Offer from the holders of 893,514 Johnston
Preference Shares (representing approximately 89.4 per cent. of the existing
issued preference share capital of Johnston).
The Offers, including the Loan Note Alternative, have been extended and the next
closing date for the Offers will be 3.00pm on 19 October 2004.
Save as disclosed in the Offer Document, neither Anglo American nor any person
acting or deemed to be acting in concert with it owned any Johnston Shares (or
rights over such shares) nor since that date (other than as disclosed above) has
Anglo American or any person acting in concert with it acquired or agreed to
acquire any Johnston Shares (or rights over such shares).
Terms defined in the Offer Document relating to the Offers bear the same
meanings when used in this announcement.
