NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL OR REQUIRE PRIOR APPROVAL
22 December 2023
Reference is made to the announcement on 21 November 2023 concerning the entry into a transaction agreement between Adevinta ASA (“Adevinta” or the “Company”) and Aurelia Bidco Norway AS (the “Offeror”) to launch a voluntary offer for all issued and outstanding ordinary class A shares in Adevinta (the “Shares”) (such offer, the “Offer”).
The Offeror is a newly established acquisition vehicle with commitments from funds advised by Permira Advisers LLP (together with the advised funds, “Permira”) and funds advised by The Blackstone Group International Partners LLP (together with the advised funds, “Blackstone”), as well as General Atlantic and TCV (jointly, the “Investors”). Further, in addition to commitments from the Investors, each of Permira, Schibsted and eBay has individually agreed with the Offeror to, subject to and upon completion of the Offer, contribute and/or sell outside the Offer at the Offer Price (as defined below) an aggregate of 885,909,719 shares in Adevinta to the Offeror, a subsidiary of the Offeror or certain of the Offeror’s parent companies, representing approximately 72.3% of Adevinta’s issued shares. For more information on the aforementioned undertakings, please refer to the combined offer document and exempted document pursuant to the EU Prospectus Regulation, prepared by the Offeror for the Offer (the “Offer Document”).
The price per Share offered to the Adevinta shareholders under the terms of the Offer is NOK 115 (the “Offer Price”), and will be settled in either cash, depository receipts (the “Depository Receipts”) representing shares in an indirect parent company of the Offeror (the “Issuer”) as further described in the Offer Document, or a combination thereof.
The Offer Price represents the Offeror’s best and final offer to the shareholders of Adevinta, and corresponds to an equity value of Adevinta of approximately NOK 141 billion.
The Offer Document was approved by the Oslo Stock Exchange in its capacity as Norwegian take-over supervisory authority today, 22 December 2023. The Offer is only capable of being accepted pursuant to the terms of the Offer Document. The Offer Document will, as required by statutory law, be sent to all shareholders in the Company as registered in the Company’s shareholders’ register in Euronext Securities Oslo (VPS) as of the date hereof, in jurisdictions where the Offer Document may be lawfully distributed.
The offer period will commence today, 22 December 2023, and expire at 16:30 hours CET on 24 January 2024, subject to any extensions (at the sole discretion of the Offeror). The complete terms and conditions of the Offer, including procedures for accepting the Offer, are set out in the Offer Document. The Offer may only be accepted on the basis of, and by following the procedures in, the Offer Document.
Shareholders that want to accept the Offer must fill out and return the acceptance form (and appendices as applicable) which is included in the Offer Document, by 16:30 hours CET on 24 January 2024 (subject to any extensions of the offer period) in accordance with the procedures and requirements set out in the Offer Document. Shareholders that want to accept the Offer for either the 100% Share Alternative or the 50% Share Alternative (both as defined below) must in addition fill out and return the power of attorney which is included in the Offer Document to the receiving agent DNB Bank ASA (the “Receiving Agent”) for the execution of the subscription and issuance agreement for the Depository Receipts, to be received by the Receiving Agent no later than on the sixth business day prior to settlement of the Offer.
It is expected that the Offer will be completed in the second quarter of 2024, following receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals and clearances.
Key terms and conditions of the Offer:
– Offer Price: NOK 115 per Share
– Receiving Agent: DNB Bank ASA
– Each accepting shareholder may choose to receive the Offer Price by way of one of the following alternatives:
(i) all cash,
(ii) one Depository Receipt representing one share in the Issuer for each tendered Share (the “100% Share Alternative”), or
(iii) a combination of (a) one Depository Receipt representing one share in the Issuer for 50% of its tendered Shares, and (b) cash for the remaining 50% of its tendered Shares (the”50% Share Alternative”).
The aggregate maximum number of Depository Receipts available to Adevinta shareholders under the 100% Share Alternative and the 50% Share Alternative, is limited to 10% of the fully diluted share capital of the Issuer upon completion of the Offer. The rights and restrictions pertaining to the Depository Receipts are described in the Offer Document.
– The Offer Price represents a premium of:
- 54% to the volume weighted average price of NOK 74.58 over the 3 months up to and including 19 September 2023; and
- 51% to the volume weighted average price of NOK 76.28 over the 6 months up to and including 19 September 2023.
The reference date 19 September 2023 is the day before the first article discussing a potential offer for Adevinta, and is representative of the price per Share unaffected by the Offer.
The Board’s statement on the Offer is included as an attachment to the Offer Document. As the Offer is made pursuant to an agreement between the Offeror and the Company, the Oslo Stock Exchange has decided that Bank of America Europe Designated Activity Company Stockholm Branch shall provide an independent statement (the “Statement”) in accordance with section 6-16 of the NSTA. The Statement is included as attachment to the Offer Document.
The availability of the Offer and/or the 100% Share Alternative and the 50% Share Alternative are subject to legal restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Offer will not be made in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. The Offer may not be accepted by shareholders who cannot legally accept the Offer.
The Offer Document is, subject to regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions, available at the following webpage: www.abgsc.com.
Subject to regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions, the Offer Document may also be obtained free of charge during ordinary business hours at the offices of the financial adviser ABG Sundal Collier ASA, Ruseløkkveien 26, 0251 Oslo, Norway.
Advisers
ABG Sundal Collier ASA and Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE, Amsterdam Branch are acting as financial advisers to the Offeror in the process. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP and Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS are acting as legal advisers to the Offeror in the process.
Contacts
International media relations
Carl Leijonhufvud, Permira
Carl.Leijonhufvud@Permira.com
+44 (0) 7586 695 549
James Williams, Permira
james.williams@Permira.com
+44 (0) 7747 006 407
Rebecca Flower, Blackstone
Rebecca.Flower@Blackstone.com
+44 (0)7918 360372
Stephen Lewis, Blackstone
Stephen.M.Lewis@Blackstone.com
+44 (0)7780 057345
Norwegian media
Marte Ramuz Eriksen, Zynk
mre@zynk.no
+47 952 21 425
Swedish media
Birgitta Henriksson, Fogel & Partners
birgitta.henriksson@fogelpartners.se
+46 (0)708 128 639
For administrative questions regarding the Offer, please contact your bank or the nominee registered as holder of your shares.
About Permira
Permira is a global investment firm that backs successful businesses with growth ambitions. Founded in 1985, the firm advises funds with total committed capital of €78bn+ and makes long- term majority and minority investments across two core asset classes, private equity and credit. The Permira private equity funds have made approximately 300 private equity investments in four key sectors: Technology, Consumer, Healthcare and Services.
About Blackstone
Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager as of 30 September 2023, seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for its investors. Blackstone’s approach involves relying on extraordinary people and flexible capital to help strengthen the companies it invests in. As of 30 September 2023, Blackstone’s over $1 trillion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Blackstone is based in New York, with over 4,700 professionals in 28 offices worldwide as of 30 September 2023, including San Francisco, London, Frankfurt, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, and Sydney.
About General Atlantic
General Atlantic is a vehicle wholly owned by funds managed and/or advised by General Atlantic Service Company, L.P. and/or its affiliates. General Atlantic is a leading global growth equity firm with more than four decades of experience providing capital and strategic support for over 500 growth companies throughout its history. Established in 1980 to partner with visionary entrepreneurs and deliver lasting impact, the firm combines a collaborative global approach, sector specific expertise, a long-term investment horizon and a deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with great entrepreneurs and management teams to scale innovative businesses around the world. General Atlantic currently has ~$77 billion in assets under management and more than 270 investment professionals based in New York, Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Miami, Mumbai, Munich, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Stamford and Tel Aviv. For more information on General Atlantic, please visit our website: www.generalatlantic.com.
About TCV
Founded in 1995, TCV has built a track record of partnering with private and public technology companies that have developed into global, category-defining players. Over time and market cycles, TCV has remained committed to its core principles of thematic investing, emphasis on quality and growth, and relentless focus on partnering with market leaders. TCV has made over 350 investments and has supported over 150 strategic transactions, including 80 IPOs.
Important notice
This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements according to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
This announcement and any related Offer documentation are not being distributed and must not be mailed or otherwise distributed or sent in or into any country in which the distribution or offering would require any such additional measures to be taken or would be in conflict with any law or regulation in such country – any such action will not be permitted or sanctioned by the Investors. Any purported acceptance of the Offer resulting directly or indirectly from a violation of these restrictions may be disregarded.
This announcement is for informational purposes only and is not a tender offer document and, as such, is not intended to constitute or form any part of an offer or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Offer or otherwise. The Offer will only be made on the basis of the Offer Document approved by the Oslo Stock Exchange, and can only be accepted pursuant to the terms of such offer document. Offers will not be made directly or indirectly in any jurisdiction where either an offer or participation therein is prohibited by applicable law or where any tender offer document or registration or other requirements would apply in addition to those undertaken in Norway.
The Offer and the distribution of this announcement and other information in connection with the Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. When published, the Offer Document and related acceptance forms will not and may not be distributed, forwarded or transmitted into or within any jurisdiction where prohibited by applicable law, including, without limitation, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong and Japan. The Offeror does not assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions. Persons in the United States should review “Notice to U.S. Holders” below. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.
Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE, Amsterdam Branch is acting exclusively for Aurelia Netherlands Midco 2 B.V. (as an indirect parent of the Offeror) and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Aurelia Netherlands Midco 2 B.V. for providing the protections afforded to clients of Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE, Amsterdam Branch, nor for providing advice in connection with the Offer or any other matters referred to in this document.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement, verbal statements made regarding the Offer and other information published by the Offeror may contain certain statements about the Company and the Offeror that are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as “may”, “will”, “seek”, “continue”, “aim”, “anticipate”, “target”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “goal”, “believe” or other words of similar meaning. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the Company’s or the Offeror’s future financial position, income growth, assets, impairment charges, business strategy, leverage, payment of dividends, projected levels of growth, projected costs, estimates of capital expenditures, and plans and objectives for future operations and other statements that are not historical fact. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances, including, but not limited to, Norwegian domestic and global economic and business conditions, the effects of volatility in credit markets, market-related risks such as changes in interest rates and exchange rates, effects of changes in valuation of credit market exposures, changes in valuation of issued notes, the policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, changes in legislation, the further development of standards and interpretations under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) applicable to past, current and future periods, evolving practices with regard to the interpretation and application of standards under IFRS, the outcome of pending and future litigations, the success of future acquisitions and other strategic transactions and the impact of competition – a number of such factors being beyond the Company’s and the Offeror’s control. As a result, actual future results may differ materially from the plans, goals, and expectations set forth in these forward-looking statements.
Any forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, the Offeror disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in the Offeror’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Notice to U.S. shareholders
The Offer and the distribution of this announcement and other information in connection with the Offer are made available to shareholders in the United States of America (the “U.S.” or “United States”), and to U.S. persons, in compliance with applicable U.S. securities laws and regulations, including Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “U.S. Exchange Act”). The Depository Receipts have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any state or jurisdiction in the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act or in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. Consequently, Depository Receipts are not being offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or to U.S. persons, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Depository Receipts will only be made available in the United States to QIBs (as defined in Rule 144A under the U.S Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) or Accredited Investors (as defined in Rule 501(a) under the U.S. Securities Act) in transactions that are exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable U.S. state “blue sky” securities laws. Such shareholders will be required to make such acknowledgements and representations to, and agreements with, the Issuer as the Issuer may require to establish that they are entitled to receive Depository Receipts. The Depository Receipts will only be sold to persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act. U.S. investors who are unable to receive Depository Receipts may only elect to receive cash consideration.
None of the Depository Receipts, the Offer Document, the Acceptance Form or any other document relating to the offering of Depository Receipts, has been approved or disapproved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission in the United States or any other U.S. regulatory authority, nor have such authorities passed upon or determined the adequacy or accuracy of the information contained in the Offer Document and the merits of the Offer. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.
In addition, until 40 days after the commencement of the Offer, an offer, sale or transfer of the Depository Receipts within the United States by a dealer (whether or not participating in the Offer) may violate the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act if such offer, sale or transfer is made otherwise than in accordance with Rule 144A or another exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act.
In accordance with normal Norwegian practice and pursuant to Rule 14e-5(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act, the Offeror or its nominees, or its brokers (acting as agents), may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Adevinta shares outside of the United States, other than pursuant to the Offer, 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. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in Norway and will be reported to an officially appointed mechanism of Oslo Stock Exchange and will be available on the Oslo Stock Exchange’ website: https://www.euronext.com/en/markets/oslo.
The United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom (the “UK”), this announcement is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons who are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth companies and other persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order; or (iii) persons to whom distributions may otherwise lawfully be made, (all such persons together being referred to as “Relevant Persons”). In the UK, the Depository Receipts are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares will be engaged in only with, Relevant Persons. Any such person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this announcement or any of its contents. This announcement is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.
The European Economic Area
This announcement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of securities in any Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) (2017/1129, as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”) (each, a “Relevant State”) will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation, as implemented in that Relevant State, from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of securities. Accordingly, any person making or intending to make any offer in that Relevant State of securities, which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this announcement, may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for the Offeror to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Regulation, in each case, in relation to such offer. Neither the Offeror, the Investors nor any of the advisors have authorised, nor do they authorise, the making of any offer of the securities through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the Offeror which constitute the final placement of the securities contemplated in this announcement. Neither the Offeror, the Investors nor any of the advisors have authorised, nor do they authorise, the making of any offer of securities in circumstances in which an obligation arises to publish or supplement a prospectus for such offer.
The issue, subscription or purchase of Depository Receipts in the Issuer is subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Neither the Issuer, the Offeror nor their advisors assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions.
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