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Monday 21 December, 2009

KiFin Limited

Statement re Cash Offer for M

RNS Number : 4472E
KiFin Limited
21 December 2009
 



THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY RESTRICTED JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

21 December 2009

KIFIN LIMITED ("KiFin")

(a company that makes investments that are ultimately for the benefit of Mr Nathan Kirsh and his family)

Cash Offer for Minerva plc ("Minerva")

The KiFin Directors believe that the actions taken by the Board of Minerva over the past few weeks have not enhanced the long-term value of Minerva Shares.

For example, the sale of Wigmore Street - at a price which the KiFin Directors believe is below what could have been achieved - and the recent announcement of the anticipated letting at St Botolphs with a three-year rent free period and possibly other concessions. KiFin notes that Minerva has not yet disclosed full details concerning this letting.

Some of these actions have been preceded by press comment attributable to the Minerva Board and Minerva has already been forced to issue one official clarification regarding a potential NAV per Share figure highlighted in a press article, which was over 100% higher than the recent revaluation. With regard to this, we note that some 46 pence of the pro forma NAV per Share of 95 pence is accounted for by removing the effect of derivative financial instruments, in respect of which the KiFin Directors believe Minerva has provided inadequate disclosure.

However, despite the press comment and subsequent announcements from Minerva, the KiFin Directors believe that the fundamental position of Minerva has not changed and its significant weaknesses remain: Minerva remains a company with high financial gearing, funding to complete only three of its projects already under way and a company which KiFin believes faces significant challenges in obtaining tenants, even for these developments, on long-term value-enhancing commercial terms, as demonstrated by its recent announcement on St Botolphs.

Minerva's announcements have not altered the fact that it has a portfolio of properties many of which are speculative and have no planning consent or funding at a time when obtaining debt funding for such developments is extremely difficult and when Minerva's ability to raise equity is doubtful given the almost complete absence of institutional long-only investors on its share register.

The KiFin Directors believe that the Board of Minerva has not fully explained to Shareholders the timescales and risks that they believe will be involved in establishing value for Shareholders. As a substantial long-term investor, KiFin is comfortable with what it perceives to be the risks and uncertainties inherent in Minerva Shares, which it believes are fully reflected in the Offer Price.

We encourage Minerva Shareholders who share KiFin's views on the risks inherent in the Shares and our concerns over the recent actions of the Minerva Board and who want to de-risk their investment to accept the Offer.

The KiFin directors would also like to emphasise that the Offer is made solely by KiFin and that, contrary to press speculation, KiFin has no need of any partners and is not seeking any in relation to the Offer.


Further Information 

Copies of the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance are available (during normal business hours) from Computershare, Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol BS99 6AH.

A copy of all announcements made by KiFin and documents sent by KiFin, including the Offer Document and this announcement, are available at: http://www.imprimagroup.com/offerforminerva/index.html

Terms used in this announcement have the meaning given to them in the Offer Document. The reference to pro forma NAV of 95 pence per Share is taken from the Minerva circular to Shareholders dated 2 December 2009.


Enquiries:


The Communication Group

Tel: 020 7630 1411

Richard Evans




Investec Investment Banking

Tel: 020 7597 5970

Charles Batten


James Rudd


Duncan Williamson 





Investec Investment Banking, a division of Investec Bank plc, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for KiFin and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than KiFin for providing the protections afforded to clients of Investec Investment Banking nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer, the contents of this announcement, or the Form of Acceptance.

This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute or form any part of an offer to sell or an invitation to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Offer or otherwise. The Offer will be made solely through the Offer Document and, in the case of certificated Minerva Shares, the Form of Acceptance, which will together contain the full terms of and conditions to the Offer, including details of how to accept the Offer. Any acceptance or other response to the Offer should be made only on the basis of the information to be contained in the Offer Document and, in the case of certificated Minerva Shares, the Form of Acceptance.

It may be difficult for US holders of Minerva Shares and other securities to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of the US securities laws, since KiFin and Minerva are incorporated outside of the United States, and some or all of their respective officers and directors may be resident outside of the United States. US holders of Minerva Shares may not be able to sue a foreign company or its officers or directors in a foreign court for violations of the US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a foreign company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgment.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, the City Code and normal UK market practice and Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act, KiFin or its nominees or brokers (acting as agents) or their respective affiliates may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Minerva Shares, other than pursuant to the Offer (including on behalf of third parties), before or during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Such purchases, or arrangements to purchase, will comply with all applicable UK rules, including the City Code and the rules of the London Stock Exchange, and Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act to the extent applicable. In addition, in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, the City Code, normal UK market practice and Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act, Investec and their respective affiliates will continue to act as exempt principal traders in Minerva Shares on the London Stock Exchange and engage in certain other purchasing activities consistent with their respective normal and usual practice and applicable law, including Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed on a next Business Day basis to the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers and, to the extent that such information is required to be publicly disclosed, will be available from any Regulatory Information Service including the Regulatory News Service on the London Stock Exchange website, www.londonstockexchange.com. To the extent that such information is made public in the United Kingdom, this information will also be publicly disclosed in the United States. 

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a US holder may be a taxable transaction for US federal income tax purposes and under applicable US state and local, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each holder of Minerva Shares is urged to consult his independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of acceptance of the Offer. 

The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom or the United States may be restricted by the laws of those jurisdictions and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe any such restrictions. Failure to comply with any such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Unless otherwise determined by KiFin, the Offer is not being, and will not be, made, directly or indirectly, in or into or by the use of the mails of, or by any other means (including, without limitation, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone, internet or other forms of electronic communication) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction (as defined herein) and will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means or facility or from within any such Restricted Jurisdiction. Accordingly, unless otherwise determined by KiFin, copies of this announcement and any documentation relating to the Offer (including, without limitation, the Offer Document and Form of Acceptance) are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send any such documents in or into or from any such Restricted Jurisdiction, as doing so may invalidate any purported acceptance of the Offer. Any person (including, without limitation, custodians, nominees and trustees) who would, or otherwise intends to, or who may have a contractual or legal obligation to, forward this announcement and/or the Offer Document and/or the Form of Acceptance (if applicable) and/or any other related document to any jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom or the United States should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of any relevant jurisdiction. Neither the SEC nor any US state securities commission has approved or disapproved this Offer or passed upon the adequacy or completeness of this announcement or any other documentation relating to the Offer (including, without limitation, the Offer Document and Form of Acceptance). Any representation to the contrary is an offence.

It is the responsibility of each Overseas Shareholder to inform himself, herself or itself about and observe any applicable legal requirements. No Restricted Overseas Shareholder receiving a copy of this announcement, the Offer Document and/or a Form of Acceptance in any jurisdiction other than the UK or the United States may treat the same as constituting an invitation or offer to him and in such circumstances, this announcement, the Offer Document and/or Form of Acceptance are sent for information only. It is the responsibility of any Overseas Shareholder receiving a copy of the Offer Document and/or Form of Acceptance and wishing to accept the Offer to satisfy himself as to the full observance of the laws and regulatory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction in connection with the Offer, including obtaining any governmental, exchange control or other consents which may be required, and compliance with other necessary formalities needing to be observed and payment of any issue, transfer or other taxes or duties due in such jurisdiction. Any such Overseas Shareholder will be responsible for any such issue, transfer or other taxes or duties by whomsoever payable and KiFin (and any person acting on behalf of KiFin) shall be fully indemnified and held harmless by such Overseas Shareholder for any such issue, transfer or other taxes or duties or other requisite payments as KiFin (and any person acting on behalf of KiFin) may be required to pay.

This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law and the City Code 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, including those of the United States.


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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