AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THAT JURISDICTION
Further to the announcement by Prosus N.V. (Prosus) on 19 December 2019 relating to the final increased offer by its wholly-owned indirect subsidiary MIH Food Delivery Holdings B.V. (MIH) to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Just Eat plc (Just Eat) (the Final Increased Offer), Prosus announces that the offer document containing full terms and conditions of the Final Increased Offer and the procedures for its acceptance (the Final Increased Offer Document) is being published and posted to the shareholders of Just Eat today, together with, in the case of Just Eat Shareholders holding Just Eat Shares in certificated form, the related Third Form of Acceptance to accept the Final Increased Offer. The Final Increased Offer Document will also be published on Prosus’s website at . The Final Increased Offer is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Final Increased Offer Document and the Third Form of Acceptance. The Final Increased Offer is a revision to the Increased Offer and should be construed accordingly.
Bob van Dijk, CEO of Prosus, commented: “We maintain our belief that in the UK and other European markets, Just Eat will require significant investments in own-delivery and technology as competitive dynamics and customer preferences continue to evolve. We have always stated that we would remain disciplined with respect to price on acquiring Just Eat, balancing our desire to own an attractive business with the need for significant investment in that business while maintaining acceptable returns for Prosus shareholders.”
To accept the Final Increased Offer in respect of certificated Just Eat Shares, the Third Form of Acceptance accompanying this Document should be completed, signed and returned to Computershare at Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol, BS99 6AH or by hand to Computershare, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE, as soon as possible but in any event so as to be received by not later than 1.00 p.m. (London time) on 10 January 2020.
To accept the Final Increased Offer in respect of uncertificated Just Eat Shares, acceptance should be made electronically through CREST by no later than 1.00 p.m. (London time) on 10 January 2020. If you are a CREST sponsored member, you should refer to your CREST sponsor as only your CREST sponsor will be able to send the necessary TTE Instruction to Euroclear.
Just Eat Shareholders who have previously accepted the Original Offer or the Increased Offer will automatically be deemed to have accepted the terms of the Final Increased Offer by virtue of their prior acceptance and, therefore, such Just Eat Shareholders need not take any further action.
If you have any questions relating to this announcement or the Final Increased Offer Document, please contact the Receiving Agent, Computershare on 0370 707 1066, (if calling within the UK) or on 6 (if calling from outside the UK). Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (London time).
Just Eat Shareholders are urged to accept the Final Increased Offer as soon as possible and, in any event, by no later than 1.00 p.m. (London time) on 10 January 2020.
Capitalised terms in this announcement, unless otherwise defined, have the same meanings as set out in the Final Increased Offer Document in respect of the Offer (including words or expressions defined in the Final Increased Offer Document by reference to the Offer Document).
Allen & Overy LLP is retained as legal adviser to Prosus and MIH.
Important notice related to financial advisers
J.P. Morgan Securities plc, which conducts its UK investment banking business as J.P. Morgan Cazenove (J.P. Morgan Cazenove) and which is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA in the United Kingdom, is acting as financial adviser exclusively for Prosus and MIH and no one else in connection with the Final Increased Offer and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the Final Increased Offer and shall not be responsible to anyone other than Prosus or MIH for providing the protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan Cazenove, or for providing advice in relation to the Final Increased Offer or any matter referred to in this announcement. Neither J.P. Morgan Cazenove nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, in delict, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of J.P. Morgan Cazenove in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, the Final Increased Offer or otherwise.
Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (Morgan Stanley), which is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA in the United Kingdom, is acting as financial adviser exclusively for Prosus and MIH and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this Increased Offer. In connection with such matters, Morgan Stanley, its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for providing advice in connection with the contents of this Final Increased Offer or any other matter referred to herein.
Further information
This announcement is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of, an offer, invitation, inducement or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of or exercise rights in respect of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Final Increased Offer or otherwise nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of any securities pursuant to the Final Increased Offer in any jurisdiction in contravention of any applicable laws.
The Final Increased Offer will be subject to English law and to the applicable requirements of the City Code, the Panel, the Listing Rules, the London Stock Exchange and the FCA.
The Final Increased Offer will be being implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the Final Increased Offer Document, which will contain further information about the Final Increased Offer.
This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus exempted document.
Overseas shareholders
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in, and the availability of the Final Increased Offer to persons who are residents, citizens or nationals of, jurisdictions other than England and Wales and the Netherlands may be restricted by law and regulation and therefore any persons into whose possession this announcement comes who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom and the Netherlands should inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or the Netherlands, or who are subject to the laws of another jurisdiction, to participate in the Final Increased Offer or to accept or procure the acceptance of the Final Increased Offer, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Just Eat Shareholders who are in any doubt regarding such matters should consult an appropriate independent financial adviser in their relevant jurisdiction without delay. Any failure to comply with such requirements may constitute a violation of the laws and/or regulation of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and other persons involved in the Final Increased Offer disclaim any responsibility or liability for any violation of such restrictions by any person.
This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law and the City Code, the Market Abuse Regulation and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside England and Wales and/or the Netherlands.
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Final Increased Offer by Just Eat Shareholders may be a taxable transaction under applicable national, state and local, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each Just Eat Shareholder is urged to consult their independent professional adviser regarding the tax consequences of the Final Increased Offer applicable to him.
Unless otherwise determined by MIH or required by the City Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Final Increased Offer is not being made and will not be made available directly or indirectly in, into or from or by any use, means, instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction or where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction. No person may accept or procure the acceptance of the Final Increased Offer by any use, means, instrumentality of, or from within, any Restricted Jurisdiction or where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction, and the Final Increased Offer will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities or, from or within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction, if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any documentation relating to the Final Increased Offer are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed, transmitted or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including agents, custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction. If the Final Increased Offer is implemented by way of a Scheme (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), no person may vote in favour of the Scheme by any use, means, instrumentality or form and the Final Increased Offer will not be capable of acceptance from or within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction, if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction.
Further details in relation to Just Eat Shareholders who are resident in, ordinarily resident in, or citizens of, jurisdictions outside England and Wales is contained in the Offer Document dated 11 November 2019.
Notice to US investors
The Final Increased Offer is being made to Just Eat Shareholders resident in the United States in reliance on, and compliance with, the applicable US tender offer rules, including Section 14(e) of the US Exchange Act, and Regulation 14E thereunder. The Final Increased Offer is being made in the United States by MIH and no one else. None of J.P. Morgan Cazenove, Morgan Stanley or any of their respective affiliates will be making the Final Increased Offer in or outside the United States.
The Final Increased Offer relates to the shares of a UK incorporated company and is subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, which are different from certain United States disclosure and procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments.
Furthermore, the payment and settlement procedure with respect to the Final Increased Offer will comply with the relevant United Kingdom rules, which differ from US payment and settlement procedures, particularly with regard to the date of payment of consideration.
In accordance with normal UK practice and consistent with Rule 14e-5(b) under the US Exchange Act, MIH, certain affiliated companies and their nominees or brokers (acting as agents) may make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, shares in Just Eat other than pursuant to the Final Increased Offer, before or during the period in which the Final Increased Offer remains open for acceptance (or, if the Final Increased Offer is implemented by way of a Scheme, until the date on which the Scheme becomes effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn). If such purchases or arrangements to purchase were to be made they would be made outside the United States either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices and would comply with applicable law, including, to the extent applicable, the US Exchange Act. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the UK and the Unites States, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at . In addition, in accordance with normal UK practice and consistent with Rule 14e-5(b) under the US Exchange Act, J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc and their affiliates may continue to act as exempt principal traders in Just Eat Shares on the London Stock Exchange and engage in certain other purchasing activities consistent with their respective normal and usual practice and applicable law. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the UK and the United States, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at . To the extent that such information is made public in the United Kingdom, it will also be publicly disclosed in the United States.
Financial information included in this announcement, the Offer Document dated 11 November 2019 and the Revised Offer Document has been or will have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards applicable in the UK and the Netherlands, as applicable, and may not be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
The receipt of consideration by a US holder for the transfer of its Just Eat Shares pursuant to the Final Increased Offer may be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes and under applicable United States state and local, as well as non-US and other, tax laws. Each Just Eat Shareholder is urged to consult their independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of the Final Increased Offer applicable to them, including under applicable United States federal, state and local, as well as non-US and other, tax laws.
It may be difficult for US holders to enforce their rights, effect service of process within the United States and/or enforce any claim arising out of the US federal securities laws, since Just Eat is incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. Prosus and MIH are organised under the laws of the Netherlands and the majority of the officers and directors of Just Eat, Prosus and MIH are residents of countries other than the United States. It may not be possible to sue Prosus, MIH or Just Eat, or any of their respective directors, officers or affiliates, in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. It may be difficult to compel Prosus, MIH, Just Eat and their respective directors, officers and affiliates to subject themselves to the jurisdiction and judgment of a US court. There is substantial doubt as to the enforceability in the United Kingdom of original actions, or of actions for enforcement of judgments of US courts, based on civil liability provisions of US federal securities laws and judgments of a US court.
Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any US state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Final Increased Offer, or passed upon the fairness of the Final Increased Offer or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.
No offer to acquire securities or to exchange securities for other securities has been made, or will be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce or any facilities of a national securities exchange of, the United States or any other country in which such offer may not be made other than: (i) in accordance with the tender offer requirements under the US Exchange Act, or the securities laws of such other country, as the case may be; or (ii) pursuant to an available exemption from such requirements.
Forward looking statements
This announcement contains certain statements that are or may be forward looking statements, including with respect to the Final Increased Offer. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on current or historical facts, but rather on assumptions, expectations, valuations, targets, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from the future results, performance or events expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement may be forward looking statements. Without limitation, forward looking statements often include words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “is expected”, “objective”, “outlook”, ”risk”, “seeks”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “will look to”, “budget”, “strategy”, “would look to”, “scheduled”, “goal”, “prepares”, “forecasts”, “cost-saving”, “is subject to”, “synergy”, “projects” or words or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof, as well as variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might”, “probably” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty, because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and the factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this announcement could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. Any forward-looking statements made in this announcement on behalf of Prosus or MIH are made as of the date of this announcement based on the opinions and estimates of directors of Prosus or MIH respectively and no assurance can be given that such opinions or estimates will prove to have been correct.
No forward-looking or other statements have been reviewed by the auditors of Prosus, MIH or Just Eat. All forward looking statements contained in this announcement and all subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Prosus, MIH or Just Eat or their respective members, directors, officers, advisers or employees or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.
Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement. None of Prosus, MIH or Just Eat, or any of their respective members, associates or directors, officers or advisers and any person acting on behalf of one or more of them, provides any representation, warranty, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward looking statements in this announcement will actually occur. Other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations (including under the City Code, the Listing Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules), no member of the Prosus Group is under, or undertakes, any obligation, and each of the foregoing expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
No profit forecasts or estimates
No statement in, or referred to in, this announcement or incorporated by reference into this announcement is intended as or shall be deemed to be a profit forecast or estimate for any period. No statement in, or referred to in, this announcement or incorporated by reference into this announcement should be interpreted to mean that income of persons (where relevant), cash flow from operations, free cash flow, earnings or earnings per share for Just Eat, Prosus or the Enlarged Group (as applicable) for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historic published cash flow from operations, free cash flow, earnings, earnings per share or dividend for Just Eat, Prosus, MIH or Naspers or the Enlarged Group (as applicable).
Disclosure requirements of the City Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the City Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of an offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified.
An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of: (i) the offeree company; and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure. Under Rule 8.3(b) of the City Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of: (i) the offeree company; and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4). Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel’s website at , including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.
Publication on website and availability of hard copies
A copy of this announcement and the documents required to be published by Rule 26 of the City Code will be made available (subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions), on Prosus’s website at in accordance with Rule 26 of the City Code. For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of the website is not incorporated into, and does not form part of, this announcement.
Just Eat Shareholders may request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting Computershare Investor Services PLC at Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol, BS99 6AH during business hours on 0370 707 1066 (lines are open from 8.30a.m. to 5.30p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales)). If you have received this announcement in electronic form, copies of this announcement and any document or information incorporated by reference into this announcement will not be provided unless such a request is made. Just Eat Shareholders may also request that all future documents, announcements and information to be sent to them in relation to the Final Increased Offer should be in hard copy form.
If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or independent financial adviser duly authorised under FSMA if you are resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser.
Time
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to time in this announcement are to London time.
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