RNS Number : 8799W
Cagney PLC
05 August 2009
CAGNEY Plc ('Cagney' or the 'Company')
Proposed cancellation of admission to trading on AIM
The Company today announces that it is seeking Shareholders' approval for the cancellation of admission to trading on AIM of the Ordinary Shares.
Background to and reasons for the proposal to delist
The Company's Ordinary Shares were admitted to trading on AIM on 13 February 2006. In the light of the challenging stock market conditions and difficulties in financing acquisition opportunities, the Directors have undertaken a review of the costs and benefits of having the Company's shares traded on AIM. The review fell into four broad categories - (i) liquidity in the Company's shares; (ii) the ability to raise finance; (iii) the direct and indirect costs of AIM; and (iv) compatibility with the Group's strategy.
The key findings were:
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Liquidity in the Company's shares is very limited, with 44 per cent of the shares in the hands of four shareholder managers. A minimal free float of shares makes it difficult for anyone wishing to buy any substantial number of shares to do so at a reasonable price. In addition, the low ratings being applied to AIM listed companies, particularly in our sector where there is a general lack of analyst coverage, are making it difficult for anyone wishing to sell to achieve a sensible price.
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In the current economic environment it is difficult for any company to raise investment funds from any source. It is even more difficult for small companies on the AIM market, and still more difficult for companies in our sector. De-Listing from AIM will allow the Company to approach sources of capital that previously were inaccessible due to its AIM status.
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The costs associated with maintaining admission to AIM are substantial and will accumulate for however long Cagney stays on AIM. In addition, whilst the administrative and regulatory burden of maintaining admission to AIM is lighter than on the main stock market, it is still onerous for a company of our size.
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The management team believes that Cagney's future lies in technology-driven developments centred on its market research and data analysis capabilities. Developing this strategy will inevitably require a more flexible approach to investment and performance than is possible on a public market where investors and analysts like to see steady, progressive growth and a steady flow of encouraging news.
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Having undertaken this review and consulted with the Group's advisers, the Directors have concluded that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company or its Shareholders as a whole to maintain admission to trading on AIM of the Ordinary Shares.
The De-Listing
In accordance with Rule 41 of the AIM Rules, the Company has today notified the London Stock Exchange of the De-Listing which is conditional upon the consent of not less than 75 per cent of votes cast by Shareholders in a general meeting.
Consequently, the Company is convening the General Meeting on 28 August 2009 for which irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the Resolutions have been received from Shareholders in respect of 48.61 per cent of the Ordinary Shares. The De-Listing is expected to be effective from 7.00 am on 8 September 2009. The Notice of General Meeting is being posted to Shareholders today.
Recent Trading
The Board is pleased to confirm that the Group has made a profitable start to the year. We expect operating profit for the first half of 2009 to show a modest increase on the corresponding figure for 2008 when we announce our interim results, and we anticipate that our solid start will enable us to report an improved operating performance for the full year.
Transactions in the Ordinary Shares following De-Listing
Following De-Listing, the Board intends to set up a facility with a reputable firm for the Company's shares to be traded on a matched bargain basis, and has already taken steps to ensure that this can be put in place without undue delay. The Directors intend to continue to keep Shareholders informed of the Company's financial and operational performance through regular updates, and to ensure that the composition of the Board will continue to include at least one independent Non-Executive Director.
Shareholders should note that the Company will remain subject to the provisions of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.
Irrevocable undertakings
The Company currently has in issue 218,296,932 Ordinary Shares. The Company has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the Resolutions in respect of 106,110,950 Ordinary Shares representing 48.61 per cent of the Ordinary Shares.
Recommendation
The Directors believe that the De-Listing is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a whole and unanimously recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting as they have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings which amount in aggregate to 48,914,047 Ordinary Shares representing 22.41 per cent of the issued Ordinary Shares.
Circular
A circular is being posted to Shareholders today, incorporating the Notice of General Meeting to approve the De-Listing.
For further information please contact:
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Cagney Plc
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Tel: 020 7637 4198
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Steve Mattey, Chief Executive
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Patrick Oram, Chief Financial Officer
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Smith & Williamson
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Tel: 0117 376 2213
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Nick Reeve
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Martyn Fraser
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WH Ireland (Broker)
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Tel: 0161 832 2174
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Stuart Forshaw
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The Media Foundry (PR)
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Tel: 020 7612 1163
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Anna Foster
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Expected Timetable of Principal Events
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Publication date of this announcement
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5 August 2009
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Latest time and date for receipt of Forms of Proxy
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11.00 am on 26 August 2009
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General Meeting
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11.00 am on 28 August 2009
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Cancellation of admission of the Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM
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effect from 7.00 am on 8 September 2009
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Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement unless the context requires otherwise.
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'AIM'
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AIM, the market operated by the London Stock Exchange
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'AIM Rules'
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the London Stock Exchange AIM Rules for Companies
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'Company' or 'Cagney'
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Cagney Plc
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'De-Listing'
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the proposed cancellation of admission to trading on AIM of the Ordinary Shares
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'Directors' or 'Board'
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the board of directors of Cagney whose names appear on page 3 of the circular being sent to Shareholders today
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'General Meeting'
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the general meeting of the Company convened for 11.00 am on 28 August 2009 and any adjournment thereof
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'Group'
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Cagney and its subsidiary and associated undertakings
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'Form of Proxy'
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the form of proxy for use at the General Meeting or at any adjournment of such meeting
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'London Stock Exchange'
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London Stock Exchange plc
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'Notice of General Meeting'
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the Notice of the General Meeting which is incorporated into the circular being sent to Shareholders today
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'Optionholders'
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holders of outstanding options under the Cagney Plc 2007 Enterprise Management Incentive Plan
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'Ordinary Shares'
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fully paid ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of the Company
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'Resolutions'
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the resolutions referred to in the Notice of General Meeting
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'Shareholders'
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holders of Ordinary Shares
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This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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