28 Jan 2022 07:09
LEI: 2138001P49OLAEU33T68
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Strategic investor update
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Phoenix Group Holdings plc ("Phoenix" or "the Group") notes that abrdn plc ("abrdn") has today announced the successful sale of approximately 40 million shares in Phoenix, representing approximately 4% of Phoenix's total issued share capital. The sale was effected by way of an accelerated bookbuild to a range of institutional investors ("the Placing"). abrdn has announced that it intends to return the net proceeds of the Placing to its shareholders.
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Following the settlement of the transaction, abrdn's holding in Phoenix will be approximately 10.4% of Phoenix's total issued share capital. Importantly, with abrdn's holding remaining in excess of 10%, the two parties' Relationship Agreement will remain in place which entitles it to appoint a director to the Phoenix Board.
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abrdn continues to be Phoenix's core strategic asset management partner and manages c.ÂŁ165 billion of the Group's assets under administration.
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Stephen Bird, CEO of abrdn, commented on the placing:
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"Our strategic partnership with Phoenix remains very important to us. This was further evidenced by the simplified and extended relationship we announced in February 2021.
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We have therefore reconfirmed our commitment to our remaining 10.4% shareholding in Phoenix which retains our right to appoint a director to the Phoenix Board."
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Phoenix's other strategic investor, MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. ("MS&AD"), continues to retain a 14.5% shareholding. MS&AD highly values the strategic relationship and shareholding in Phoenix. Its holding remains a key part of MS&AD's long-term strategy to diversify its earnings internationally and MS&AD expects to remain a significant shareholder.
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Enquiries
Investors/analysts:
Claire Hawkins, Director of Corporate Affairs, Phoenix Group
+44 (0)20 3735 0575
Andrew Downey, Investor Relations Director, Phoenix Group
+44 (0)20 3735 0160
Media:
Douglas Campbell, Teneo
+44 (0)775 313 6628
Shellie Wells, Corporate Communications Director, Phoenix Group
+44 (0)20 3735 0922
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Legal Disclaimers
This announcement in relation to Phoenix and its subsidiaries (the "Group") contains forward-looking statements about the Group's current plans, goals and expectations relating to future financial events, conditions, performance, results, strategy and/or objectives. Statements containing the words: 'believes', 'intends', 'will', 'expects', 'may', 'should', 'plans', 'aims', 'seeks', 'continues', 'targets' and 'anticipates' or other words of similar meaning are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the Group's control. As a result, such future events and the Group's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in the forward-looking statements in this announcement. The Group undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained within this announcement.
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