NEPI announces an equity raising of approximately R486 million (equivalent to approximately €35 million) through the issue of new ordinary shares (“Equity Raising”). The Equity Raising is subject to pricing acceptable to NEPI, and will be completed, under the Company’s general authority to issue shares for cash approved by NEPI shareholders at the annual general meeting of the Company held on Thursday, 2 May 2013.
The purpose of the Equity Raising is to increase the Company’s cash reserves in order that it may take advantage of potential further acquisition and development opportunities. NEPI is exploring three possible acquisitions and expects that it may commit to and complete some or all of these acquisitions prior to the announcement of its 2013 year end results, subject to the finalisation of negotiation of terms and the completion of due diligence. These potential acquisitions, with a combined potential gross market value of approximately EUR170 million, comprise the acquisition of:
- a shopping mall with extension potential in a major Romanian city;
- land for the development of a new regional shopping mall in a major Romanian city; and
- an interest in a shopping mall in a central-eastern European capital city outside of Romania
The potential acquisitions are in line with the Company’s stated objective to pursue profitable growth through further acquisition and development opportunities in its markets.
To the extent required, announcements in compliance with the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, the AIM Rules for Companies and the rules of the BVB will be made in due course.
The Equity Raising will be implemented through an accelerated book build process (the “Book Build”), and only public investors (as defined under paragraphs 4.25 – 4.26 of the JSE Listings Requirements) will be eligible to participate, subject to a minimum subscription of ZAR1 million per investor. The Book Build opens at 09h00 (South African time) on Thursday, 28 November 2013, and the Company reserves the right to close it at any time thereafter.
Pricing and allocations are expected to be announced no later than the morning of Friday, 29 November 2013, with settlement anticipated to occur on Friday, 6 December 2013. Application will be made for the issue and listing of the new ordinary shares on Friday, 6 December 2013.
Macquarie First South Capital Proprietary Limited is acting as the sole bookrunner.
28 November 2013
Sole bookrunner: Macquarie First South Capital Proprietary Limited
South African legal counsel to the sole bookrunner: Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc.
JSE Sponsor: Java Capital
IMPORTANT NOTICES
The Equity Raising is not an offer to the public as contemplated under the South African Companies Act, No.71 of 2008 as amended (“Companies Act”), nor an offer of securities in any other jurisdiction. Potential investors are only permitted to apply for shares with a minimum total acquisition cost, per single addressee acting as principal, of greater than or equal to ZAR1 000 000, unless the potential investor is a person, acting as principal, whose ordinary business, or part of whose ordinary business, is to deal in securities, whether as principal or agent (in reliance on Section 96(1)(a)(i) and 96(1)(b) of the Companies Act) or such applicant falls within one of the other specified categories of persons listed in section 96(1) of the Companies Act.
This announcement is not for publication or distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in the United States of America (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia).
This announcement does not constitute or form part of an offer or solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act), and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United States, absent registration or an exemption from, or transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States. Neither this announcement nor any copy of it may be taken, transmitted or distributed, directly or indirectly in or into the United States, Canada, Japan or any jurisdiction in which it would be unlawful to do so.
This announcement is for information purposes only and in member states of the European Economic Area (other than the United Kingdom) is directed only at persons who are qualified investors (as defined in article 2(1)(e) of EU directive 2003/71/EC (the Prospectus Directive) and the relevant implementing rules and regulations adopted by each Member State). In the United Kingdom, this announcement is directed only at the following persons: investment professionals falling within article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the Order); and high net worth entities, and other person to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order.
This announcement has been issued by and is the sole responsibility of NEPI. No representation or warranty express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by the Company’s advisers including Macquarie First South Capital Proprietary Limited, Java Capital, Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited and SSIF Intercapital Invest SA, or by any of their respective affiliates or agents as to, or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.
CAUTIONARY AND FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
This announcement contains (or may contain) certain forward-looking statements with respect to certain of NEPI’s plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future financial condition and performance and which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. NEPI cautions readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances a number of which are beyond NEPI’s control. These forward-looking statements reflect NEPI’s judgement at the date of this announcement and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. Except as required by the JSE, the AIM Rules, the Bucharest Stock Exchange Rules or applicable law, NEPI expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any changes in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. For further information on NEPI, investors should review the Company’s Annual Report hosted at www.nepinvest.com
