Equals Gp Regulatory News (EQLS)

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

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF REGULATION 2014/596/EU, WHICH IS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW PURSUANT TO THE MARKET ABUSE (AMENDMENT) (EU EXIT) REGULATIONS (SI 2019/310) ("UK MAR").

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FALLING UNDER RULE 2.8 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE").

For immediate release 3 November 2023

Statement of intention not to make an offer for Equals Group plc

Fleetcor notes the announcement made by Equals Group on 1 November 2023 in response to market speculation.

Fleetcor confirms that it has been contacted by Equals Group to assess whether it wishes to make an offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Equals Group. Fleetcor announces that it does not intend to make such an offer for Equals Group.

This is a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Takeover Code applies.

Fleetcor and any person(s) acting in concert with it reserves the right to make or participate in an offer for Equals Group (and/or take any other actions which would otherwise be restricted under Rule 2.8 of the Code) within the six months following the date of this announcement:

(a) with the agreement of the board of Equals Group;

(b) following the announcement of a firm intention to make an offer for Equals Group by or on behalf of a third party;

(c) following the announcement by Equals Group of a Rule 9 waiver proposal (as described in Note 1 of the Notes on Dispensations from Rule 9 of the Code) or a reverse takeover (as defined in the Code); or

(d) where the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers has determined that there has been a material change of circumstances.

Other information

For the purposes of UK MAR, the person responsible for arranging release of this Announcement on behalf of Fleetcor is Jim Eglseder.

Important information

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or 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 whether pursuant to this announcement or otherwise.

The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions outside the UK may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.