CIU.L Regulatory News (CIU)

18 Dec 2008 10:45



NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION.

18 December 2008

For immediate release

Cape plc ("Cape" or the "Company")

Response to share price movement

Following the recent movement in Cape's share price, the Board of Cape confirms that it has received very preliminary expressions of interest in the Company from a number of private equity houses. These approaches have not specified an offer price and the Board has asked the parties involved to clarify their views on value, and certain other aspects, before it decides whether or not these interests should be explored further on behalf of shareholders. As these discussions are at a very early stage, there can be no certainty that any offer for the Company will be made, but a further announcement will be made when appropriate.

The Board of Cape will provide an update on current trading on 7 January 2009.

Contacts: 

Dealing Disclosure Requirements 

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code"), if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of Cape, all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3:30 p.m. (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of Cape, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevant securities" of Cape by an offeror or the offeree company, and by any "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.

A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevant securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

"Interests in securities arise", in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.

Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Takeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Takeover Panel.

In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code, Cape announces that it has 114,989,087 ordinary shares of 25p each in issue. The International Securities Identification Number for Cape's ordinary shares is GB0001726081.

END