TIDMLNTR TIDMLNTA
RNS Number : 7614U
Lenta Ltd
01 April 2019
Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in
part, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a
violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1 April 2019
PROPOSED CASH OFFER
FOR
Lenta Ltd.
BY
Severgroup LLC
Summary
-- Severgroup LLC ("Severgroup") announces that it has agreed to
acquire from Luna, Inc. ("Luna") 166,383,595 Lenta GDRs,
representing 33,276,719 Lenta Shares and approximately 34.44 per
cent. of the issued and outstanding voting shares in Lenta Ltd.
("Lenta") (excluding treasury shares) as of 1 April 2019 and
separately agreed to acquire from the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development ("EBRD") 36,076,870 Lenta GDRs,
representing 7,215,374 Lenta Shares and approximately 7.47 per
cent. of the issued and outstanding voting shares in Lenta
(excluding treasury shares) as of 1 April 2019, in each case at a
price of US$ 3.60 per Lenta GDR and on and subject to the terms and
conditions of separate conditional share purchase agreements each
dated 1 April 2019.
-- Accordingly, Severgroup announces that, subject to
satisfaction of the Pre-Condition (as defined below), Severgroup
intends to make a cash offer (as required by Regulation 5.8 of the
Lenta Articles) to acquire all of the issued and to be issued
shares of Lenta and all of the Lenta GDRs (excluding treasury
shares) (the "Offer") from the holders thereof (the "Lenta
Securityholders").
-- Under the terms of the Offer, Lenta Securityholders will be entitled to receive:
-- for each Lenta Share US$ 18.00 in cash
-- for each Lenta GDR US$ 3.60 in cash
(or, with respect to those Lenta GDR Holders who are Russian
Residents, the equivalent of US$ 3.60 in Russian Roubles at the
exchange rate of US$ to Russian Rouble established by the Central
Bank of the Russian Federation as at the relevant payment date).
Five Lenta GDRs represent an interest in one Lenta Share.
-- The Offer Price implies a value of approximately US$ 1.75
billion for 100 per cent. of the issued and to be issued shares of
Lenta and represents:
-- a premium of approximately 8.11 per cent. to the price of the
Lenta GDRs on the London Stock Exchange of US$ 3.33 at the close of
business on 26 March 2019, being the last London Business Day
before the first announcement by Lenta regarding the possibility of
the Offer being made; and
-- a premium of approximately 9.76 per cent. to the volume
weighted average price of the Lenta GDRs on the London Stock
Exchange of US$ 3.28 for the six months ending on 26 March
2019.
-- The Offer will be made only if and when (a) all conditions to
completion of the sale and purchase of the Lenta GDRs contemplated
by the Luna SPA have been satisfied or waived (and the Luna SPA has
not been terminated), and (b) the process for completion and
settlement under the Luna SPA has commenced, in each case in
accordance with the terms of the Luna SPA (together, the
"Pre-Condition"). If the Pre-Condition is satisfied, Severgroup
intends to announce publicly on the same New York and London
Business Day that the Pre-Condition has been satisfied and that the
Offer Document is being made available to Lenta Securityholders by
the Tender Agent. Completion of the sales and purchases of Lenta
GDRs contemplated by the SPAs is conditional upon, among other
things: (i) FAS Clearance having been obtained and being in full
force and effect, (ii) certain decisions made by the Lenta Board as
further detailed in section 10 of this announcement and in the SPAs
remaining unchanged, valid and in full force and effect, (iii)
Lenta continuing to indirectly hold all the equity in Lenta LLC,
free from any encumbrances, (iv) the Lenta Articles and Lenta's
overall number of shares remaining unchanged (other than scheduled
issuances of shares under employee benefit incentive plans (the
"MIP" and "LTIP") of up to 187,217 new Lenta Shares), and (v)
certain other conditions as further detailed in the SPAs.
Severgroup anticipates that FAS Clearance will be obtained before
the end of May 2019. Each of the SPAs terminates automatically if
FAS Clearance has not been received by 31 May 2019. The Luna SPA
also terminates automatically if Luna or Severgroup or any parent
undertaking or ultimate controlling person becomes a "Sanctioned
Person" (as defined in the Luna SPA) or if the transactions
contemplated by the Luna SPA would violate any "Sanctions Law" (as
defined in the Luna SPA). If the Luna SPA terminates, the
Pre-Condition will not be satisfied and the Offer will not be
made.
-- The making of the Offer is subject to satisfaction of the
Pre-Condition. However, the Offer, if made, will not be subject to
any conditions, and in particular will not be conditional upon
Severgroup achieving any particular level of acceptances under the
Offer. Accordingly, any valid acceptances of the Offer by Lenta
Securityholders that are received by Severgroup while the Offer
remains open for acceptances will (subject to the terms set out in
Appendix 1 to this announcement and to the terms to be set out in
the Offer Document) be binding on Severgroup and such Lenta
Securityholders.
-- If and once made, the Offer will be open for acceptance for
21 calendar days. If valid acceptances have been received in
respect of Lenta Securities which, when aggregated with any other
Lenta Securities in which Severgroup has an interest (including
Lenta Securities purchased under the Luna SPA and EBRD SPA), carry
in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of Lenta's voting rights, the
Offer will remain open for acceptance for an additional 14 calendar
day period after the expiry of the initial 21-day period.
-- If: (a) Severgroup, any parent undertaking (as such term is
defined under the UK Companies Act 2006) of Severgroup, or the
ultimate controlling person of Severgroup becomes a Sanctioned
Person; or (b) the acceptance of the Offer, or the transfer of
tendered Lenta Securities to Severgroup, or the settlement of
consideration to which tendering Lenta Securityholders are entitled
under the Offer, would comprise a violation of, or conduct subject
to adverse consequences under, any Sanctions Law by any person
(except where any tendering Lenta Securityholder is or becomes a
Sanctioned Person), then (in either case), with effect from the
date of such event, the Offer shall automatically terminate in its
entirety and no transfer of any tendered Lenta Securities to
Severgroup and no settlement of consideration to which any
tendering Lenta Securityholder would otherwise be entitled under
the Offer shall be made (in which case any tendered Lenta
Securities shall remain the property of the relevant tendering
Lenta Securityholders) (each of (a) and (b) above, a "Sanctions
Termination").
-- In addition, if any Lenta Securityholder who would otherwise
be entitled to tender its Lenta Securities under the Offer is or
becomes a Sanctioned Person, then any purported acceptance of the
Offer by such Lenta Securityholder will be deemed to be (or, if
such acceptance has already been made at the time, shall
automatically become with effect from the date of such event)
invalid and no transfer of Lenta Securities to Severgroup by such
Lenta Securityholder and no settlement of consideration to which
such Lenta Securityholder would otherwise be entitled under the
Offer shall be made (in which case the relevant Lenta Securities
shall remain the property of the relevant Lenta Securityholder) (a
"Sanctions Invalidity"), but the Offer shall otherwise remain in
full force and effect.
-- The Lenta Independent Directors, who have been so advised by
J.P. Morgan as to the financial terms of the Offer, consider the
terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In providing their
advice, J.P. Morgan has taken into account the commercial
assessments of the Lenta Independent Directors. The Lenta
Independent Directors are supportive of the fact that all Lenta
Securityholders are being offered the opportunity to sell their
Lenta Securities in the Offer at the same price as the exiting
Lenta Securityholders, Luna and EBRD. Lenta Securityholders should
decide whether or not to accept the Offer in light of their own
circumstances.
-- Commenting on the Offer, Alexey Mordashov, Chief Executive Officer of Severgroup said:
"We see tremendous value in businesses that improve people's
quality of life and we believe there is great potential in retail
as an industry which is now going through important transformation
to meet the growing demands of consumers. Widely known as an
efficient grocery retailer with one of the highest growth rates in
the market, Lenta is a unique asset to unlock this potential in the
Russian market. We are confident that combining Lenta's highly
professional management team and excellent corporate culture with
Severgroup's experience in building and managing successful
businesses, deep expertise in both industrial and consumer sectors
as well as in the digital & IT sector will enhance the
company's position as a leading grocery player in terms of
customer's service, offering and loyalty."
-- Commenting on the Offer, Herman Tinga, Chief Executive Officer of Lenta said:
"We have always been dedicated to providing our customers with a
full range of best-in-class services. We understand that, to ensure
that today we meet the needs of all of our existing customers and
to attract new ones, we need a unique selling proposition. This is
only possible through a deep understanding of our customers and
fulfilling their demands through innovative tools. We are glad to
welcome Severgroup, a new strategic investor who has committed to
create value for all shareholders through a combination of Lenta's
strong market position and deep data-driven customer knowledge with
Severgroup's experience of online retail and digital
marketing."
This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject
to, the full text of this announcement (including its Appendices).
The making of the Offer is subject to the satisfaction of the
Pre-Condition and the Offer, if made, will be subject to the terms
set out in Appendix 1 and to the full terms to be set out in the
Offer Document. Appendix 2 contains the bases and sources of
certain information contained in this summary and the following
announcement. Appendix 3 contains the definitions of certain terms
used in this summary and the following announcement.
Enquiries:
Severgroup
Anastasia Mishanina Tel: +7 495 926-77-66
Email: anastasia.mishanina@severgroup.ru
Lenta
Albert Avetikov Tel: +7 812 363-28-44
Email: albert.avetikov@lenta.com
Citigroup Global Markets Limited (Financial Adviser to
Severgroup)
Irackly Mtibelishvily Tel. +7 495 258 5146
Email: irackly.mtibelishvily@citi.com
Sergey Kurdyukov Tel. +7 495 258 5127
Email: sergey.kurdyukov@citi.com
J.P. Morgan (Financial Adviser to Lenta)
Toby Radford Tel. +44 20 7134 7066
Email: toby.radford@jpmorgan.com
Vladimir Blinov Tel. +7 495 937 7310
Email: vladimir.e.blinov@jpmorgan.com
Further information
This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute, or
form part of, an offer, invitation 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,
nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of
Lenta in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The
Offer, if made, will be made solely by means of the Offer Document,
which will, together, contain the full terms of the Offer including
details of how it may be accepted. Further details on how eligible
Lenta Securityholders can accept the Offer will be set out in the
Offer Document.
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain
other information provided by Lenta Securityholders and other
relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Lenta may
be provided to Severgroup during the Offer Period.
Citigroup Global Markets Limited ("Citi"), which is authorised
by the PRA and regulated by the PRA and the FCA in the UK, is
acting exclusively as financial adviser to Severgroup and no one
else in connection with the Offer and the subject matter of this
announcement, and shall not be responsible to anyone other than
Severgroup for providing the protections afforded to clients of
Citi, or for providing advice in connection with the Offer and the
subject matter of this announcement. Neither Citi nor any of its
subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or accepts any duty,
liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect,
whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any
person who is not a client of Citi in connection with this
announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.
J.P. Morgan Securities plc ("J.P. Morgan"), which is authorised
by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA in the United
Kingdom, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to Lenta and no
one else in connection with the Offer and will not regard any other
person as its client in relation to the Offer and will not be
responsible to anyone other than Lenta for providing the
protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan or its affiliates,
or for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other
matter referred to in this announcement.
The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers
Lenta is incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands and, as such, is not subject to the jurisdiction of the
City Code or any equivalent takeover regulations. In particular,
this announcement does not amount to a firm intention to make an
offer under Rule 2.7 of the City Code. Lenta has incorporated
certain takeover-related provisions into its articles of
association but these do not provide Lenta Securityholders with the
protections offered by the City Code, and enforcement of such
provisions is the responsibility of Lenta, not the UK Takeover
Panel. Accordingly, Lenta Securityholders are reminded that the UK
Takeover Panel does not have responsibility for ensuring compliance
of the Offer with the City Code and is not able to answer
shareholders' queries in that regard. The Lenta Board has full
power, authority and discretion to interpret the takeover-related
provisions in the Lenta Articles and to waive, in whole or in part,
compliance with the same and in doing so will (unless it reasonably
resolves otherwise in light of the relevant prevailing facts and
circumstances) have reference to the precedent practice of the UK
Takeover Panel. See further in section 10 (the Lenta Articles) of
this announcement.
Overseas jurisdictions
The availability of the Offer, if made, to Lenta Securityholders
who are not resident in and citizens of the UK, Russia or the
United States may be affected by the laws of the relevant
jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are
citizens. Such persons should inform themselves of, and observe,
any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their
jurisdictions. Lenta Securityholders who are in any doubt regarding
such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional
adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay. Further details
in relation to Overseas Securityholders will be contained in the
Offer Document.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
or into jurisdictions other than the UK, Russia or the United
States may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are
subject to the law of any jurisdiction other than the UK, Russia or
the United States should inform themselves about, and observe, any
applicable requirements. Any failure to comply with the applicable
restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of
any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Offer
disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such
restrictions by any person. As this announcement has been prepared
for the purposes of complying with BVI law and Lenta's Articles,
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 of the BVI.
The Offer will not be made, directly or indirectly, in, into or
from any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that
jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and formal
documentation relating to the Offer will not be, and must not be,
mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from
any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that
jurisdiction.
Notice to US Lenta Securityholders
The Offer, if made, will be made for the securities of a BVI
incorporated company and will be subject to disclosure requirements
which are different from those of the United States. The financial
information included in this announcement and to be included in the
Offer Document has been or will have been prepared in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards and thus may not
be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies
whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
The Offer, if made, will be made in the United States pursuant
to an exemption from the US tender offer rules provided by
Rule14d-1(d) under the US Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Offer will
be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements,
including with respect to withdrawal rights, offer timetable,
settlement procedures and timing of payments, that are different
from those applicable under US domestic tender offer procedures and
law.
In accordance with normal UK practice and pursuant to Rule
14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Severgroup or its nominees, or its
brokers (acting as agents), may from time to time make certain
purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Lenta Securities outside
of the United States, other than pursuant to the Offer, until the
date on which the Offer is complete. 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 by applicable laws.
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a US Lenta
Securityholder will likely be a taxable transaction for US federal
income tax purposes and under applicable state and local, as well
as foreign and other tax laws. Each holder of Lenta Securities is
urged to consult his or her independent professional advisor
immediately regarding the tax consequences of acceptance of the
Offer.
It may be difficult for US Lenta Securityholders to enforce
their rights and any claim arising out of US federal securities
laws, since Severgroup and Lenta are located in countries other
than the United States, and some or all of their officers and
directors may be residents of countries other than the United
States. US Lenta Securityholders may not be able to sue a non-US
company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for
violations of US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to
compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to
a US court's judgement.
Notice to persons resident or located in Russia
Distribution of this document does not constitute an offer
("oferta") pursuant to Russian law and does not constitute a
placement and/or public circulation of securities or other
financial instruments in the Russian Federation.
The Lenta Shares have not been registered in the Russian
Federation and have not been, and are not intended to be, admitted
to "placement" and/or "public placement" and/or "public
circulation" in the Russian Federation. Accordingly, this document
and the information contained in it is not an offer, or an
invitation to make offers, sell, purchase, exchange or transfer
Lenta Shares in the Russian Federation and does not purport to
constitute an advertisement of Lenta Shares in the Russian
Federation. Information regarding Lenta Shares contained in this
announcement is not intended for any persons in the Russian
Federation who are not "qualified investors" (as defined under
Russian law). Any sale or transfer of Lenta Shares in the territory
of the Russian Federation will be subject to the requirements and
restrictions set forth by Russian law, including the Russian
currency control laws, as discussed below.
Russian Residents are permitted by Russian currency control laws
to tender their Lenta GDRs under the Offer only if (i) the transfer
of such Lenta GDRs to Severgroup is recorded with an entity or
entities licensed to provide depositary services in Russia and (ii)
payment by Severgroup for such Lenta GDRs is made in Russian
Roubles. As Lenta Shares are currently not eligible for depositing
with Russian Depositaries, no Offer will be made in respect of the
Lenta Shares to Lenta Shareholders who qualify as Russian
Residents, whether or not such Lenta Shareholders qualify as
"qualified investors" for the purposes of Russian securities market
laws. The terms of the Offer will not restrict those Lenta
Shareholders from depositing relevant Lenta Shares in accordance
with the Deposit Agreement and tendering the Lenta GDRs
representing those Lenta Shares under the Offer. Lenta GDRs
tendered by Russian Residents under the Offer will have to be
delivered from the securities account of the tendering Lenta GDR
Holder with a Russian Depositary to the securities account of
Severgroup with the Russian Depositary designated in the Offer
Document. Such tendering Lenta GDR Holders will be paid in Russian
Roubles at the exchange rate of US$ to Russian Rouble established
by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation as at the relevant
payment date in accordance with the procedure to be specified in
the Offer Document.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement (including information incorporated by
reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the
Offer, and other information published by Severgroup and Lenta
contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be,
"forward-looking statements" including for the purposes of the US
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements are prospective in nature and are not based on
historical facts, but rather on current expectations and
projections of the management of Severgroup and Lenta about future
events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which
could cause actual results to differ materially from the future
results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include
statements relating to the expected effects of the Offer on
Severgroup and Lenta, the expected timing and scope of the Offer
and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not
always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not
expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "scheduled",
"estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not
anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases
or statements that certain actions, events or results "may",
"could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be
achieved. Although Severgroup and Lenta each believe that the
expectations reflected in its respective forward-looking statements
are reasonable, Severgroup and Lenta can give no assurance that
such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur
in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause
actual results and developments to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Other
unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in
the light of such factors. Neither Severgroup nor Lenta, nor any of
their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers,
provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the
occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any
forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually
occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with their
legal or regulatory obligations, neither Severgroup nor Lenta is
under any obligation, and Severgroup and Lenta expressly disclaim
any intention or obligation, to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
No profit forecasts or quantified benefits statement
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit
forecast, profit estimate or qualified benefits statement and no
statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that
earnings per Lenta Security for the current or future financial
years would necessarily match or exceed the respective historical
published earnings per Lenta Security or to mean that the enlarged
group's earnings in the first 12 months following the Offer, or in
any subsequent period, would necessarily match or be greater than
those of Lenta for the relevant preceding financial period or any
other period.
Publication on website
A copy of this announcement and the Offer Document (if published
as referred to in this announcement) will be made available by
Lenta, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident
in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Lenta's website at
www.lentainvestor.com/en/investors. For the avoidance of doubt, the
contents of that website are not incorporated into and do not form
part of this announcement.
Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in
part, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a
violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1 April 2019
PROPOSED CASH OFFER
FOR
Lenta Ltd.
BY
Severgroup LLC
1. Introduction
Severgroup announces that, subject to satisfaction of the
Pre-Condition, Severgroup intends to make a cash offer (as required
by the Lenta Articles) to all Lenta Securityholders to acquire all
of the issued and to be issued shares of Lenta and all of Lenta
GDRs (excluding treasury shares) on and subject to the terms
described or referred to in this announcement and to be contained
in the Offer Document.
2. The Offer
Under the terms of the Offer, the making of which is subject to
the satisfaction of the Pre-Condition, and which, if made, will be
subject to the terms set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement and
to the terms to be set out in the Offer Document, Lenta
Securityholders will be entitled to receive:
for each Lenta US$ 18.00 in cash
Share
for each Lenta US$ 3.60 in cash
GDR
or, with respect to those Lenta GDR Holders who are Russian
Residents, the equivalent of US$ 3.60 in Russian Roubles
at the exchange rate of US$ to Russian Rouble established
by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation as at the
relevant payment date. Five Lenta GDRs represent an interest
in one Lenta Share.
If, after the date of this announcement, any dividend and/or
distribution is declared, made or paid or becomes payable in
respect of the Lenta Shares and/or Lenta GDRs, Severgroup reserves
the right to reduce the consideration payable under the terms of
the Offer at such date by an amount up to the amount of such
dividend and/or distribution.
The Offer Price implies a value of approximately US$ 1.75
billion for 100 per cent. of the issued and to be issued shares of
Lenta and represents:
-- a premium of approximately 8.11 per cent. to the price of the
Lenta GDRs on the London Stock Exchange of US$ 3.33 at the close of
business on 26 March 2019, being the last London Business Day
before the first announcement by Lenta regarding the possibility of
the Offer being made; and
-- a premium of approximately 9.76 per cent. to the volume
weighted average price of the Lenta GDRs on the London Stock
Exchange of US$ 3.28 for the six months ending on 26 March
2019.
3. Background to and reasons for the Offer
Severgroup believes in the prospects of the retail industry in
Russia and values Lenta as one of the best platforms in the market
that has an excellent track record of development and growth and is
well positioned for further accomplishments. Lenta is managed by an
industry-leading management team and their significant expertise
and experience in the sector is the key to the further success of
Lenta in which Severgroup believes strongly. In addition,
Severgroup is convinced that it can contribute its successful
experience of managing various businesses across a number of
sectors to support Lenta's management in developing and
implementing a strategy that would strengthen its position as a
retailer of choice to customers across the Russian Federation.
4. The Pre-Condition
The Offer will be made only if and when (a) all conditions to
completion of the sale and purchase of the Lenta GDRs contemplated
by the Luna SPA have been satisfied or waived (and the Luna SPA has
not been terminated), and (b) the process for completion and
settlement under the Luna SPA has commenced, in each case in
accordance with the terms of the Luna SPA (together, the
"Pre-Condition"). Further details of the Luna SPA and the
conditions to which it is subject are set out below.
If the Pre-Condition is satisfied, Severgroup intends to
announce publicly on the same New York and London Business Day that
the Pre-Condition has been satisfied and that the Offer Document is
being made available to Lenta Securityholders by the Tender
Agent.
5. Views of the Lenta Independent Directors
The Lenta Independent Directors, who have been so advised by
J.P. Morgan as to the financial terms of the Offer, consider the
terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In providing their
advice, J.P. Morgan has taken into account the commercial
assessments of the Lenta Independent Directors. The Lenta
Independent Directors are supportive of the fact that all Lenta
Securityholders are being offered the opportunity to sell their
Lenta Securities in the Offer at the same price as the exiting
Lenta Securityholders, Luna and EBRD. Lenta Securityholders should
decide whether or not to accept the Offer in light of their own
circumstances.
6. Sanctions Termination and Sanctions Invalidity
If: (a) Severgroup, any parent undertaking (as such term is
defined under the UK Companies Act 2006) of Severgroup, or the
ultimate controlling person of Severgroup becomes a Sanctioned
Person; or (b) the acceptance of the Offer, or the transfer of
tendered Lenta Securities to Severgroup, or the settlement of
consideration to which tendering Lenta Securityholders are entitled
under the Offer, would comprise a violation of, or conduct subject
to adverse consequences under, any Sanctions Law by any person
(except where any tendering Lenta Securityholder is or becomes a
Sanctioned Person), then (in either case), with effect from the
date of such event, the Offer shall automatically terminate in its
entirety and no transfer of any tendered Lenta Securities to
Severgroup and no settlement of consideration to which any
tendering Lenta Securityholder would otherwise be entitled under
the Offer shall be made (in which case any tendered Lenta
Securities shall remain the property of the relevant tendering
Lenta Securityholders) (each of (a) and (b) above, a "Sanctions
Termination").
In addition, if any Lenta Securityholder who would otherwise be
entitled to tender its Lenta Securities under the Offer is or
becomes a Sanctioned Person, then any purported acceptance of the
Offer by such Lenta Securityholder will be deemed to be (or, if
such acceptance has already been made at the time, shall
automatically become with effect from the date of such event)
invalid and no transfer of Lenta Securities to Severgroup by such
Lenta Securityholder and no settlement of consideration to which
such Lenta Securityholder would otherwise be entitled under the
Offer shall be made (in which case the relevant Lenta Securities
shall remain the property of the relevant Lenta Securityholder) (a
"Sanctions Invalidity"), but the Offer shall otherwise remain in
full force and effect.
7. SPA with Luna and SPA with EBRD
Luna SPA
Severgroup has agreed to acquire from Luna 166,383,595 Lenta
GDRs, representing 33,276,719 Lenta Shares and approximately 34.44
per cent. of the issued and outstanding shares in Lenta (excluding
treasury shares) as of 1 April 2019, at a price of US $3.60 per
Lenta GDR pursuant to the Luna SPA.
Pursuant to the terms of the Luna SPA, if the Offer Price is
increased, Severgroup has agreed to increase the price per Lenta
GDR under the Luna SPA by the same amount (or, if the Offer Price
is increased after completion has occurred under the Luna SPA, to
pay Luna an amount equal to the difference) in order that Luna is
treated in the same way as other Lenta Securityholders in relation
to any increase in the Offer Price.
Completion of the sale and purchase of Lenta GDRs contemplated
by the Luna SPA is conditional upon, among other things: (i) FAS
Clearance having been obtained and being in full force and effect,
(ii) certain decisions made by the Lenta Board as further detailed
in section 10 of this announcement and in the SPAs remaining
unchanged, valid and in full force and effect, (iii) Lenta
continuing to indirectly hold all the equity in Lenta LLC, free
from any encumbrances, (iv) the Lenta Articles and Lenta's overall
number of shares remaining unchanged (other than scheduled
issuances of shares under employee benefit incentive plans (the
"MIP" and "LTIP") of up to 187,217 new Lenta Shares), and (v)
certain other conditions as further detailed in the SPAs.
Severgroup anticipates that FAS Clearance will be obtained before
the end of May 2019.
The Luna SPA terminates automatically if FAS Clearance has not
been received by 31 May 2019. The Luna SPA also terminates
automatically if Luna or Severgroup or any parent undertaking or
ultimate controlling person becomes a "Sanctioned Person" (as
defined in the Luna SPA) or if the transactions contemplated by the
Luna SPA would violate any "Sanctions Law" (as defined in the Luna
SPA). If the Luna SPA terminates, the Pre-Condition will not be
satisfied and the Offer will not be made.
EBRD SPA
Severgroup has agreed to acquire from EBRD 36,076,870 Lenta
GDRs, representing 7,215,374 Lenta Shares and approximately 7.47
per cent. of the issued and outstanding shares in Lenta (excluding
treasury shares) as of 1 April 2019, at a price of US$ 3.60 per
Lenta GDR pursuant to the EBRD SPA. The terms of the Luna SPA
described above are also included in the EBRD SPA and, in addition,
completion under the EBRD SPA is conditional on completion under
the Luna SPA having first occurred.
8. Conditions
The making of the Offer is subject to satisfaction of the
Pre-Condition. However, the Offer, if made, will not be subject to
any conditions, and in particular will not be conditional upon
Severgroup achieving any particular level of acceptances under the
Offer. Accordingly, any valid acceptances of the Offer by Lenta
Securityholders that are received by Severgroup while the Offer
remains open for acceptances will (subject to the terms set out in
Appendix 1 to this announcement and to the terms to be set out in
the Offer Document) be binding on Severgroup and such Lenta
Securityholders.
9. Terms of the Offer
The Offer, if made, will remain open until 1.00 pm (London time)
on the 21(st) day after the date on which the Offer Document is
made available to Lenta Securityholders by the Tender Agent (the
"First Closing Date"). If, by 1.00 pm (London time) on the First
Closing Date valid acceptances have been received in respect of
Lenta Securities which, when aggregated with any other Lenta
Securities in which Severgroup has an interest (including the SPA
GDRs), carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of Lenta's voting
rights, then the Offer will remain open for a further 14 days from
the First Closing Date (or until such later date as Severgroup may,
with the consent of the Lenta Board, decide). If the Offer is so
extended, any valid acceptances received on or before the First
Closing Date will be settled (if not previously settled) within 14
days after the First Closing Date, and any valid acceptances
received after the First Closing Date will be settled and paid for
within 14 days after the Offer closes. If, by 1.00 pm (London time)
on the First Closing Date valid acceptances have not been received
in respect of Lenta Securities which, when aggregated with any
other Lenta Securities in which Severgroup has an interest
(including the SPA GDRs), carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent.
of Lenta's voting rights, then (unless it is extended by Severgroup
with the consent of the Lenta Board) the Offer will close and cease
to be capable of further acceptance. In such case, all valid
acceptances received on or before the First Closing Date will be
settled (if not previously settled) within 14 days after the First
Closing Date.
If the Offer is made, Severgroup will make an announcement: (a)
if applicable, on the London Business Day immediately following the
date on which Severgroup has received valid acceptances in respect
of Lenta Securities which, when aggregated with any other Lenta
Securities in which Severgroup has an interest (including the SPA
GDRs), carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of Lenta's voting
rights; and (b) on the London Business Day immediately following
the First Closing Date, in each case in relation to the level of
acceptances received by such date and the extension or closing of
the Offer (as the case may be).
The Offer, if made, will be subject to the terms set out in
Appendix 1 to this announcement and to the terms to be set out in
the Offer Document. In particular, (a) the Offer will automatically
lapse and cease to be capable of acceptance upon Sanctions
Termination and (b) any acceptance by a tendering Lenta
Securityholder shall automatically be invalid in the case of any
Sanctions Invalidity.
10. The Lenta Articles
Regulation 5.8 of the Lenta Articles provides (among other
matters) that no person may acquire an interest in Lenta Shares if,
as a result, such person would have an interest in Lenta Shares
that would carry 30 per cent. or more of the voting rights in Lenta
unless such person has made or simultaneously makes an offer (a
"Mandatory Offer") to all Lenta Shareholders to acquire their Lenta
Shares at a price not less than the greater of (a) the highest
price paid by such person for an interest in Lenta Shares in the 12
months immediately preceding the date of such Mandatory Offer or
(b) the volume weighted average market price of the listed Lenta
Shares or Lenta GDRs over the six months immediately preceding the
date of such Mandatory Offer (in each case subject to such
adjustment and/or determination by the Lenta Board as the Lenta
Board may determine is fair and reasonable in the
circumstances).
The Lenta Articles also provide that the Lenta Board has full
power, authority and discretion to interpret and implement
Regulation 5.8 of the Lenta Articles and to waive, in whole or in
part, compliance with the same and to condition any such waiver as
it sees fit, provided that all Lenta Shareholders of the same class
are afforded equivalent treatment.
Entry into the Luna SPA has triggered a requirement for
Severgroup to make a Mandatory Offer pursuant to Regulation 5.8 of
the Lenta Articles, subject to the derogations granted by the Lenta
Board, as outlined below.
As part of its consideration of the Luna SPA and the Offer, the
Lenta Board has (in accordance with the power, authority and
discretion afforded to it in Regulation 5.8 item (xi) of the Lenta
Articles) consented to the following limited derogations from the
strict requirements of Regulation 5.8 of the Lenta Articles:
-- Severgroup will proceed to make the Offer only if the
Pre-Condition is satisfied (and will invoke the Pre-Condition and
not make the Offer only in circumstances where the Luna SPA has
terminated and Severgroup has not acquired any Luna GDRs). On that
basis, the Lenta Board has agreed not to require Severgroup to make
the Offer unless and until the Pre-Condition is satisfied.
-- If Severgroup proceeds to make the Offer, the Tender Agent at
Severgroup's instruction will announce the launch of the Offer via
the Regulatory News Service on www.londonstockexchange.com. The
Tender Agent will make available the Offer Document in electronic
form: (i) to Lenta for (A) publication by Lenta on Lenta's website,
and (B) providing such Offer Document to all registered Lenta
Securityholders (including the depositary for the GDR programme)
(subject to applicable law), and (ii) on request, to registered
Members and GDR holders (including the depositary for the GDR
programme) (subject to applicable law). The Lenta Board has
confirmed this mode of making and announcing of the Offer would be
compliant with the Lenta Articles.
-- The Lenta Board has agreed that the Offer, if made, will be
subject to Sanctions Termination and Sanctions Invalidity.
-- The Lenta Board will not require Severgroup to increase the
Offer Price to reflect any increase in the volume weighted average
market price of the Lenta GDRs during the Offer Period. However, if
Severgroup acquires any Lenta Securities at prices above the Offer
Price during the Offer Period, Severgroup will be required to
increase the Offer Price to the highest price paid by Severgroup in
respect of such acquisitions.
-- The Lenta Board will not require Severgroup to make an offer
into the Russian Federation to acquire any Lenta Shares because any
such offer would breach applicable law in the Russian Federation
and any Lenta Shareholders can instead deposit their Lenta Shares
under the Deposit Agreement and then accept the Offer in respect of
the relevant Lenta GDRs.
-- The Lenta Board has agreed that, in order to comply with
applicable currency control laws in the Russian Federation, Lenta
GDRs tendered to Severgroup by Lenta GDR Holders who are Russian
Residents will be required to be delivered from the securities
accounts of such Lenta GDR Holders with a Russian Depositary to the
securities account of Severgroup with the Russian Depositary
designated in the Offer Document.
-- The Lenta Board will not require Severgroup to pay the Offer
Price in US$ to Lenta GDR Holders who are Russian Residents and
will accept payment by Severgroup to such Lenta GDR Holders of the
Offer Price in Russian Roubles at the exchange rate of US$ to
Russian Rouble established by the Central Bank of the Russian
Federation as at the relevant payment date.
In light of the size of Severgroup's holding of Lenta GDRs
following completion under the Luna SPA, and having regard to the
Lenta Articles, the Lenta Board has also resolved that:
-- for so long as Severgroup holds Lenta Securities representing
in aggregate at least 15 per cent. of Lenta's voting rights, if so
requested by Severgroup in writing the Lenta Board will: (a) as
contemplated by Regulation 9.3 of the Lenta Articles, convene, as
soon as reasonably practicable, a general meeting of Lenta's
members and include such items on the agenda for such meeting as
may be reasonably requested by Severgroup, in each case in
accordance with the rules and procedures set out in the Lenta
Articles; and (b) propose any candidate(s) for director proposed by
Severgroup at such meeting, provided that Severgroup has complied
with the procedural requirements set out in Regulation 10.3 of the
Lenta Articles;
-- if and when Severgroup holds Lenta Securities representing in
aggregate more than 50 per cent. of Lenta's voting rights, then, if
so requested by Severgroup in writing, the Lenta Board will, by way
of resolution of the Lenta Directors as contemplated by Regulation
10.12 of the Lenta Articles, elect each and all of Messrs. Alexey
Mordashov, Alexey Kulichenko, Roman Vasilkov and Maxim Bakhtin to
the seats left vacant on the Lenta Board following the resignations
of the Luna Directors and the EBRD Director in each case to serve
on the Lenta Board until the next Lenta Shareholders' meeting at
which the Lenta Board is elected (provided that such person is not
a Sanctioned Person and is not a person who may not be appointed as
a Director to the Board under applicable law), it being understood
that such persons shall have no participation in any Lenta Board
discussion or decision in respect of, and no access to any
information held by Lenta relating to, the Offer or any other then
outstanding competing offer, or possible competing offer, for Lenta
Securities; and
-- upon completion of the sale under the Luna SPA, the Lenta
Board will permit Mr. Tomas Korganas (Head of Strategy and M&A
of Severgroup LLC) from time to time to attend all Lenta Board
meetings in an observer capacity, inform such observer in advance
whenever a Lenta Board meeting is convened and supply to such
observer all materials that are being supplied to the members of
the Lenta Board in connection with any Lenta Board meeting
(provided that such person is not a Sanctioned Person and is not a
person who may not be appointed as a Director to the Board under
applicable law), it being understood that such person shall have no
participation in any Lenta Board discussion or decision in respect
of, and no access to any information held by Lenta relating to, the
Offer or any other then outstanding competing offer, or possible
competing offer, for Lenta Securities, such observer status to
immediately end upon the earlier of: (a) the election of a nominee
of Severgroup to the Lenta Board as contemplated above; (b) the
next meeting of Lenta Shareholders; and (c) the Offer having closed
with the result that valid acceptances have not been received in
respect of Lenta Securities which, when aggregated with any other
Lenta Securities in which Severgroup has an interest (including the
SPA GDRs), carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of Lenta's
voting rights.
The Luna Directors and the EBRD Director did not vote on the
decisions of the Lenta Board described in this section 10.
11. Information relating to Severgroup
Severgroup is a private investment company founded in 1993 which
makes long-term investments and manages assets on behalf of Mr.
Alexey Mordashov.
Severgroup was formed to develop established businesses and
invest in attractive new projects. Severgroup's core investment
areas are currently: metallurgy and minerals, power plant
engineering, gold mining, woodworking, tourism, wholefood
e-commerce, talent tech, high-tech venture capital, media,
advertising, telecommunications and medicine.
Severgroup directly or indirectly owns shares and interests,
among others, in the following selected companies:
* Severstal * Aterra Capital
* Nordgold * S-Group Capital Management
* Sveza * CTC Media
* TUI AG * Tele2 Russia
* TUI Russia * National media group
* Utkonos * AVA-Peter Group
* TalentTech
12. Information relating to Lenta
Lenta was founded in 1993 in St. Petersburg and is now the
largest hypermarket chain in Russia and the country's third largest
retail chain. Lenta operates 245 hypermarkets in 88 cities across
Russia and 135 supermarkets in Moscow, St Petersburg, Central,
Siberia and Ural regions, with a total of approximately 1,472,714
sq.m of selling space. The average Lenta hypermarket store has
selling space of approximately 5,500 sq.m and its average
supermarket store has selling space of approximately 800 sq.m.
Lenta also operates seven owned distribution centres. Lenta's
price-led hypermarket formats are differentiated in terms of their
promotion and pricing strategies as well as their local product
assortment. Lenta employed approximately 45,759 people as of 31
December 2018.
The Lenta GDRs are admitted to trading on the Main Market of the
London Stock Exchange and on the Moscow Exchange and trade under
the ticker: 'LNTA'. For more information, visit
www.lentainvestor.com.
13. Changes to the Lenta Board
The three Luna Directors and the one EBRD Director each intend
to step down from the Lenta Board with effect from completion
occurring under the Luna SPA and EBRD SPA, respectively.
14. Financing of the Offer
The cash consideration payable by Severgroup under the terms of
the Offer will be funded from existing cash resources of
Severgroup. In particular, Severgroup has, and will maintain, cash
(in the form of US dollars, or the equivalent thereof (applying the
current applicable exchange rate for each day until the Offer is
completed) in Euros) on bank deposit sufficient to complete the
Offer on the basis that all Lenta Securityholders tender all their
Lenta Securities at the Offer Price (as well as to make due and
full payment under the SPAs).
15. Lenta GDRs
Lenta GDR Holders will be able to participate in the Offer with
respect to their Lenta GDRs and the Lenta Shares represented by
their Lenta GDRs. Further details in relation to how Lenta GDR
Holders can accept the Offer will be set out in the Offer
Document.
16. Lenta Employee Share Incentive Programme
Participants in the Lenta share incentive programme will be
contacted by Lenta in due course with further details on the effect
of the Offer on their individual rights under that programme.
17. Disclosure of interests in Lenta Securities
Except pursuant to the SPAs, as at close of business on 1 April
2019, neither Severgroup, nor (so far as Severgroup is aware) any
person acting in concert with Severgroup, has any interest in Lenta
Securities.
18. Expected continuation of Lenta GDR programme and stock
exchange listings (unless trading in Lenta GDRs becomes
illiquid)
Severgroup does not intend to take steps (or to procure that
Lenta takes steps) to cancel the listing of the Lenta GDRs on the
Official List or trading of the Lenta GDRs on the market for listed
securities of the London Stock Exchange or of the Moscow Exchange,
provided however, that Severgroup reserves the right to do so if,
as a result of the high level of acceptances of the Offer liquidity
in Lenta GDRs becomes limited.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Severgroup receives
acceptances under the Offer, in respect of, or otherwise acquires
or has contracted to acquire, interests in Lenta Securities that
together with any other Lenta Securities or interests in Lenta
Securities held by Severgroup (or persons acting in concert with
it) carry 90 per cent. or more of the voting rights in Lenta,
Severgroup reserves the right to acquire compulsorily the remaining
Lenta Shares in respect of which the Offer has not been accepted
pursuant to Regulation 5.8 of the Lenta Articles, to terminate
Lenta's GDR programme and to procure that Lenta will make an
application for the cancellation of the listing of the Lenta GDRs
on the Official List and for the cancellation of trading of the
Lenta GDRs on the market for listed securities of the London Stock
Exchange and of the Moscow Exchange.
19. Overseas Securityholders
The availability of the Offer or the distribution of this
announcement to Lenta Securityholders who are not resident in and
citizens of the UK, Russia or the United States may be affected by
the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or
of which they are citizens. Such persons should inform themselves
of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of
their jurisdiction. Lenta Securityholders who are in any doubt
regarding such matters should consult an appropriate independent
professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.
Further details in relation to Overseas Securityholders will be
contained in the Offer Document.
US Lenta Securityholders should read the section entitled
"Notice to US Lenta Securityholders". Lenta Securityholders who are
Russian Residents or are otherwise resident or located in Russia
should read the section entitled "Notice to persons resident or
located in Russia".
This announcement does not constitute an offer for sale for any
securities or an offer or an invitation to purchase any securities.
Lenta Securityholders are advised to read carefully the Offer
Document if and when published.
20. Lenta issued shares and GDRs
Lenta confirms that as of 1 April 2019 there are 97,508,265
Lenta Shares in issue (of which 872,411.4 are held in treasury by
Lenta LLC as a result of Lenta's share buyback programme), and
there are 485,654,640 GDRs in issuance (of which 4,362,057 are held
by Lenta LLC as a result of Lenta's share buyback programme) (not
including any GDRs purchased under the programme on 1 April 2019).
Five Lenta GDRs represent one Lenta Share. The International
Securities Identification Numbers of the Lenta GDRs is (a)
US52634T2006 in the case of the Lenta Regulation S GDRs and (b)
US52634T1016 in the case of the Lenta Rule 144A GDRs.
21. Documents published on a website
Copies of this announcement will from the date hereof be
published by Lenta on Lenta's website at
www.lentainvestor.com/en/investors until the end of the Offer
Period.
22. General
The making of the Offer is subject to the satisfaction of the
Pre-Condition and the Offer, if made, will be subject to the terms
set out in Appendix I and to the full terms to be set out in the
Offer Document. If the Pre-Condition is satisfied, Severgroup
expects to announce publicly on the same New York and London
Business Day that the Pre-Condition has been satisfied and that the
Offer Document is being made available to Lenta Securityholders by
the Tender Agent.
The bases and sources of certain information contained in this
announcement are set out in Appendix 2. Certain terms used in this
announcement are defined in Appendix 3.
Enquiries:
Severgroup
Anastasia Mishanina Tel: +7 495 926-77-66
Email: anastasia.mishanina@severgroup.ru
Lenta
Albert Avetikov Tel: +7 812 363-28-44
Email: albert.avetikov@lenta.com
Citigroup Global Markets Limited (Financial Adviser to
Severgroup)
Irackly Mtibelishvily Tel. +7 495 258 5146
Email: irackly.mtibelishvily@citi.com
Sergey Kurdyukov Tel. +7 495 258 5127
Email: sergey.kurdyukov@citi.com
J.P. Morgan (Financial Adviser to Lenta)
Toby Radford Tel. +44 20 7134 7066
Email: toby.radford@jpmorgan.com
Vladimir Blinov Tel. +7 495 937 7310
Email: vladimir.e.blinov@jpmorgan.com
Further information
This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute, or
form part of, an offer, invitation 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,
nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of
Lenta in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The
Offer, if made, will be made solely by means of the Offer Document,
which will, together, contain the full terms of the Offer including
details of how it may be accepted. Further details on how eligible
Lenta Securityholders can accept the Offer will be set out in the
Offer Document.
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain
other information provided by Lenta Securityholders and other
relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Lenta may
be provided to Severgroup during the Offer Period.
Citigroup Global Markets Limited ("Citi"), which is authorised
by the PRA and regulated by the PRA and the FCA in the UK, is
acting exclusively as financial adviser to Severgroup and no one
else in connection with the Offer and the subject matter of this
announcement, and shall not be responsible to anyone other than
Severgroup for providing the protections afforded to clients of
Citi, or for providing advice in connection with the Offer and the
subject matter of this announcement. Neither Citi nor any of its
subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or accepts any duty,
liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect,
whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any
person who is not a client of Citi in connection with this
announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.
J.P. Morgan Securities plc ("J.P. Morgan"), which is authorised
by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA in the United
Kingdom, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to Lenta and no
one else in connection with the Offer and will not regard any other
person as its client in relation to the Offer and will not be
responsible to anyone other than Lenta for providing the
protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan or its affiliates,
or for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other
matter referred to in this announcement.
The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers
Lenta is incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands and, as such, is not subject to the jurisdiction of the
City Code or any equivalent takeover regulations. In particular,
this announcement does not amount to a firm intention to make an
offer under Rule 2.7 of the City Code. Lenta has incorporated
certain takeover-related provisions into its articles of
association but these do not provide Lenta Securityholders with the
protections offered by the City Code, and enforcement of such
provisions is the responsibility of Lenta, not the UK Takeover
Panel. Accordingly, Lenta Securityholders are reminded that the UK
Takeover Panel does not have responsibility for ensuring compliance
of the Offer with the City Code and is not able to answer
shareholders' queries in that regard. The Lenta Board has full
power, authority and discretion to interpret the takeover-related
provisions in the Lenta Articles and to waive, in whole or in part,
compliance with the same and in doing so will (unless it reasonably
resolves otherwise in light of the relevant prevailing facts and
circumstances) have reference to the precedent practice of the UK
Takeover Panel. See further in section 10 (the Lenta Articles) of
this announcement.
Overseas jurisdictions
The availability of the Offer, if made, to Lenta Securityholders
who are not resident in and citizens of the UK, Russia or the
United States may be affected by the laws of the relevant
jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are
citizens. Such persons should inform themselves of, and observe,
any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their
jurisdictions. Lenta Securityholders who are in any doubt regarding
such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional
adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay. Further details
in relation to Overseas Securityholders will be contained in the
Offer Document.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
or into jurisdictions other than the UK, Russia or the United
States may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are
subject to the law of any jurisdiction other than the UK, Russia or
the United States should inform themselves about, and observe, any
applicable requirements. Any failure to comply with the applicable
restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of
any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Offer
disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such
restrictions by any person. As this announcement has been prepared
for the purposes of complying with BVI law and Lenta's Articles,
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 of the BVI.
The Offer will not be made, directly or indirectly, in, into or
from any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that
jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and formal
documentation relating to the Offer will not be, and must not be,
mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from
any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that
jurisdiction.
Notice to US Lenta Securityholders
The Offer, if made, will be made for the securities of a BVI
incorporated company and will be subject to disclosure requirements
which are different from those of the United States. The financial
information included in this announcement and to be included in the
Offer Document has been or will have been prepared in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards and thus may not
be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies
whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
The Offer, if made, will be made in the United States pursuant
to an exemption from the US tender offer rules provided by
Rule14d-1(d) under the US Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Offer will
be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements,
including with respect to withdrawal rights, offer timetable,
settlement procedures and timing of payments, that are different
from those applicable under US domestic tender offer procedures and
law.
In accordance with normal UK practice and pursuant to Rule
14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Severgroup or its nominees, or its
brokers (acting as agents), may from time to time make certain
purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Lenta Securities outside
of the United States, other than pursuant to the Offer, until the
date on which the Offer is complete. 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 by applicable laws.
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a US Lenta
Securityholder will likely be a taxable transaction for US federal
income tax purposes and under applicable state and local, as well
as foreign and other tax laws. Each holder of Lenta Securities is
urged to consult his or her independent professional advisor
immediately regarding the tax consequences of acceptance of the
Offer.
It may be difficult for US Lenta Securityholders to enforce
their rights and any claim arising out of the US federal securities
laws, since Severgroup and Lenta are located in countries other
than the United States, and some or all of their officers and
directors may be residents of countries other than the United
States. US Lenta Securityholders may not be able to sue a non-US
company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for
violations of US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to
compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to
a US court's judgement.
Notice to persons resident or located in Russia
Distribution of this document does not constitute an offer
("oferta") pursuant to Russian law and does not constitute a
placement and/or public circulation of securities or other
financial instruments in the Russian Federation.
The Lenta Shares have not been registered in the Russian
Federation and have not been, and are not intended to be, admitted
to "placement" and/or "public placement" and/or "public
circulation" in the Russian Federation. Accordingly, this document
and the information contained in it is not an offer, or an
invitation to make offers, sell, purchase, exchange or transfer
Lenta Shares in the Russian Federation and does not purport to
constitute an advertisement of Lenta Shares in the Russian
Federation. Information regarding Lenta Shares contained in this
announcement is not intended for any persons in the Russian
Federation who are not "qualified investors" (as defined under
Russian law). Any sale or transfer of Lenta Shares in the territory
of the Russian Federation will be subject to the requirements and
restrictions set forth by Russian law, including the Russian
currency control laws, as discussed below.
Russian Residents are permitted by Russian currency control laws
to tender their Lenta GDRs under the Offer only if (i) the transfer
of such Lenta GDRs to Severgroup is recorded with an entity or
entities licensed to provide depositary services in Russia and (ii)
payment by Severgroup for such Lenta GDRs is made in Russian
Roubles. As Lenta Shares are currently not eligible for depositing
with Russian Depositaries, no Offer will be made in respect of the
Lenta Shares to Lenta Shareholders who qualify as Russian
Residents, whether or not such Lenta Shareholders qualify as
"qualified investors" for the purposes of Russian securities market
laws. The terms of the Offer will not restrict those Lenta
Shareholders from depositing relevant Lenta Shares in accordance
with the Deposit Agreement and tendering the Lenta GDRs
representing those Lenta Shares under the Offer. Lenta GDRs
tendered by Russian Residents under the Offer will have to be
delivered from the securities account of the tendering Lenta GDR
Holder with a Russian Depositary to the securities account of
Severgroup with the Russian Depositary designated in the Offer
Document. Such tendering Lenta GDR Holders will be paid in Russian
Roubles at the exchange rate of US$ to Russian Rouble established
by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation as at the relevant
payment date in accordance with the procedure to be specified in
the Offer Document.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement (including information incorporated by
reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the
Offer, and other information published by Severgroup and Lenta
contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be,
"forward-looking statements" including for the purposes of the US
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements are prospective in nature and are not based on
historical facts, but rather on current expectations and
projections of the management of Severgroup and Lenta about future
events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which
could cause actual results to differ materially from the future
results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include
statements relating to the expected effects of the Offer on
Severgroup and Lenta, the expected timing and scope of the Offer
and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not
always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not
expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "scheduled",
"estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not
anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases
or statements that certain actions, events or results "may",
"could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be
achieved. Although Severgroup and Lenta each believe that the
expectations reflected in its respective
forward-looking statements are reasonable, Severgroup and Lenta
can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be
correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk
and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on
circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of
factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause
actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should
therefore be construed in the light of such factors. Neither
Severgroup nor Lenta, nor any of their respective associates or
directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation,
assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed
or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement
will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with
their legal or regulatory obligations, neither Severgroup nor Lenta
is under any obligation, and Severgroup and Lenta expressly
disclaim any intention or obligation, to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
No profit forecasts or quantified benefits statement
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit
forecast, profit estimate or qualified benefits statement and no
statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that
earnings per Lenta Security for the current or future financial
years would necessarily match or exceed the respective historical
published earning per Lenta Security or to mean that the enlarged
group's earnings in the first 12 months following the Offer, or in
any subsequent period, would necessarily match or be greater than
those of Lenta for the relevant preceding financial period or any
other period.
Publication on website
A copy of this announcement and the Offer Document (if published
as referred to in this announcement) will be made available by
Lenta, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident
in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Lenta's website at
www.lentainvestor.com/en/investors. For the avoidance of doubt, the
contents of that website are not incorporated into and do not form
part of this announcement.
Appendix 1
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE OFFER
Lenta Securities will be acquired by Severgroup under the Offer,
if made, fully paid and free from all liens, equitable interests,
charges, encumbrances, rights of pre-emption (save as set out in
the Lenta Articles) and other third party rights of any nature
whatsoever and together with all rights attaching to them as at the
date of this announcement or subsequently attaching or accruing to
them, including the right to receive and retain, in full, all
dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made, paid or
payable on or after the date of this announcement.
If, on or after the date of this announcement, any dividend
and/or other distribution is declared, made or paid or becomes
payable in respect of the Lenta Securities, Severgroup reserves the
right, to reduce the consideration payable under the terms of the
Offer for the Lenta Securities by an amount up to the amount of
such dividend and/or distribution, in which case any reference in
this announcement or in the Offer Document to the consideration
payable under the terms of the Offer will be deemed to be a
reference to the consideration as so reduced. To the extent that
any such dividend and/or distribution is declared, made or paid or
is payable and it is: (i) transferred pursuant to the Offer on a
basis which entitles Severgroup to receive the dividend or
distribution and to retain it; or (ii) cancelled, the consideration
payable under the terms of the Offer will not be subject to change
in accordance with this paragraph. Any exercise by Severgroup of
its rights referred to in this paragraph shall be the subject of an
announcement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be regarded
as constituting any revision or variation of the Offer.
The making of the Offer is subject to the Pre-Condition, and the
Offer, if made, will be subject to the terms which are set out in
this announcement, including in this Appendix 1, and those terms
which will be set out in the Offer Document and such further terms
as may be required to comply with the Listing Rules.
If: (a) Severgroup, any parent undertaking (as such term is
defined under the UK Companies Act 2006) of Severgroup, or the
ultimate controlling person of Severgroup becomes a Sanctioned
Person; or (b) the acceptance of the Offer, or the transfer of
tendered Lenta Securities to Severgroup, or the settlement of
consideration to which tendering Lenta Securityholders are entitled
under the Offer, would comprise a violation of, or conduct subject
to adverse consequences under, any Sanctions Law by any person
(except where any tendering Lenta Securityholder is or becomes a
Sanctioned Person), then (in either case), with effect from the
date of such event, the Offer shall automatically terminate in its
entirety and no transfer of any tendered Lenta Securities to
Severgroup and no settlement of consideration to which any
tendering Lenta Securityholder would otherwise be entitled under
the Offer shall be made (in which case any tendered Lenta
Securities shall remain the property of the relevant tendering
Lenta Securityholders) (each of (a) and (b) above, a "Sanctions
Termination").
In addition, if any Lenta Securityholder who would otherwise be
entitled to tender its Lenta Securities under the Offer is or
becomes a Sanctioned Person, then any purported acceptance of the
Offer by such Lenta Securityholder will be deemed to be (or, if
such acceptance has already been made at the time, shall
automatically become with effect from the date of such event)
invalid and no transfer of Lenta Securities to Severgroup by such
Lenta Securityholder and no settlement of consideration to which
such Lenta Securityholder would otherwise be entitled under the
Offer shall be made (in which case the relevant Lenta Securities
shall remain the property of the relevant Lenta Securityholder) (a
"Sanctions Invalidity"), but the Offer shall otherwise remain in
full force and effect.
The Offer, if made, will remain open until 1.00 pm (London time)
on the 21(st) day after the date on which the Offer Document is
made available to Lenta Securityholders by the Tender Agent (the
"First Closing Date"). If, by 1.00 pm (London time) on the First
Closing Date valid acceptances have been received in respect of
Lenta Securities which, when aggregated with any other Lenta
Securities in which Severgroup has an interest (including the SPA
GDRs), carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of Lenta's voting
rights, then the Offer will remain open for a further 14 days from
the First Closing Date (or until such later date as Severgroup may,
with the consent of the Lenta Board, decide). If the Offer is so
extended, any valid acceptances received on or before the First
Closing Date will be settled (if not previously settled) within 14
days after the First Closing Date, and any valid acceptances
received after the First Closing Date will be settled and paid for
within 14 days after the Offer closes. If, by 1.00 pm (London time)
on the First Closing Date valid acceptances have not been received
in respect of Lenta Securities which, when aggregated with any
other Lenta Securities in which Severgroup has an interest
(including the SPA GDRs), carry in aggregate more than 50 per cent.
of Lenta's voting rights, then (unless it is extended by Severgroup
with the consent of the Lenta Board) the Offer will close and cease
to be capable of further acceptance. In such case, all valid
acceptances received on or before the First Closing Date will be
settled (if not previously settled) within 14 days after the First
Closing Date.
The availability of the Offer or the distribution of this
announcement to Lenta Securityholders who are not resident in and
citizens of the UK, Russia or the United States may be affected by
the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or
of which they are citizens. Such persons should inform themselves
of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of
their jurisdiction. Lenta Securityholders who are in any doubt
regarding such matters should consult an appropriate independent
professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.
Further details in relation to Overseas Securityholders will be
contained in the Offer Document.
Any rights and liabilities arising under the Offer will be
governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands and be subject
to the jurisdiction of the courts of the British Virgin Islands.
The Offer will also be subject to the applicable requirements of
the London Stock Exchange and the FCA.
Appendix 2
Bases and Sources
(a) The value attributed to the existing issued and to be issued
shares of Lenta is based upon: the 97,508,265 Lenta Shares in issue
on 1 April 2019 less 872,411.4 Lenta Shares held as treasury shares
(in the form of GDRs) on such date (not including any GDRs
purchased under the Lenta share buyback programme on 1 April 2019)
and the up to 838,359 Lenta Shares that may be issued in the future
under the Lenta employee share incentive programme.
(b) For the purposes of the financial comparisons contained in
this announcement, no account has been taken of any liability to
taxation.
(c) Unless otherwise stated, the financial information on Lenta
is extracted (without material adjustment) from Lenta's Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2018.
(d) The market prices of the Lenta GDRs are the closing middle
market quotations as derived from the Daily Official List.
Appendix 3
Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement
unless the context requires otherwise.
"acting in concert" has the meaning given in the City
Code
"Business Day" a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday)
on which commercial banks in the
city or cities specified are open
for ordinary banking business
"BVI" the British Virgin Islands
"Citi" Citigroup Global Markets Limited,
financial adviser to Severgroup
"City Code" the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers,
as amended from time to time
"Competition Law" Federal Law of the Russian Federation
No. 135-FZ dated 26 July 2006 "On
Protection of Competition" (as amended)
"Daily Official List" the Daily Official List of the London
Stock Exchange
"Deposit Agreement" the deposit agreement relating to
global depositary receipts in respect
of equity shares of Lenta dated 28
February 2014 between Lenta and Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
"Depositary" Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A.
"Directors of Lenta" the directors of Lenta from time
or "Lenta Directors" to time
"EBRD" the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development, an international
organisation formed by treaty and
operating through its office at One
Exchange Square, London, EC2A 2JN
"EBRD Director" the Lenta director nominated for
appointment to the Lenta Board by
EBRD (being Martin Elling)
"EBRD GDRs" the Lenta GDRs agreed to be purchased
by Severgroup under the EBRD SPA
"EBRD SPA" the conditional share purchase agreement
dated 1 April 2019 entered into between
Severgroup and EBRD under which EBRD
has agreed to sell, and Severgroup
has agreed to purchase, 36,076,870
Lenta GDRs representing 7,215,374
Lenta Shares on the terms and subject
to the conditions of the EBRD SPA
"FAS" the Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly
Service
"FAS Clearance" the consent of the FAS under the
Competition Law in respect of the
acquisition by Severgroup of rights
allowing it to determine the conditions
of carrying on by Lenta LLC of business
activities in the Russian Federation
(unless such consent is subject to
material remedies or conditions as
set forth in the Luna SPA)
"FCA" the UK Financial Conduct Authority
"First Closing Date" the date falling 21 days after the
date on which the Offer Document
is made available to Lenta Securityholders
by the Tender Agent
"interest(s) in Lenta has the meaning given to "Holder"
Shares" in the Lenta Articles, which refer
to the definition in the City Code,
and "interest(s) in Lenta Shares"
also includes interest(s) in Lenta
GDRs (or any other depositary receipts
relating to Lenta Shares and option
rights relating to Lenta Shares or
other interests in Lenta Shares (including
depositary interests relating to
Lenta Shares))
"J.P. Morgan" J.P. Morgan Securities plc, financial
adviser to Lenta
"Lenta" Lenta Ltd., a company organised and
existing under the laws of the British
Virgin Islands with company number
1058643
"Lenta Articles" the memorandum and articles of association
of Lenta
"Lenta Board" the board of directors of Lenta
"Lenta GDRs" global depositary receipts representing
Lenta Shares, which includes the
Lenta Rule 144A GDRs and the Lenta
Regulation S GDRs
"Lenta GDR Holders" the registered holders of Lenta GDRs
from time to time
"Lenta Group" Lenta and its subsidiaries
"Lenta Independent Directors" the directors of Lenta, excluding
the Luna Directors and the EBRD Director
"Lenta Regulation S global depositary receipts representing
GDRs" Lenta Shares that are designated
as Regulation S GDRs under the Deposit
Agreement
"Lenta Rule 144A GDRs" global depositary receipts representing
Lenta Shares that are designated
as Rule 144A GDRs under the Deposit
Agreement
"Lenta Securities" Lenta Shares and Lenta GDRs
"Lenta Securityholders" Lenta Shareholders and Lenta GDR
Holders
"Lenta Shareholders" the registered holders of Lenta Shares
from time to time
"Lenta Shares" (a) the existing unconditionally
allotted or issued and fully paid
ordinary shares of no par value in
Lenta; and
(b) any further ordinary shares of
no par value in Lenta which are unconditionally
allotted or issued and fully paid
before the date on which the Offer
closes
"Listed Person" (a) any person identified in any
list of sanctioned persons maintained
by (i) the United States government,
including the United States Department
of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets
Control ("OFAC"), the United States
Department of Commerce, Bureau of
Industry and Security ("BIS"), or
the United States Department of State;
(ii) the government of the United
Kingdom, including HM Treasury; (iii)
the European Union or (iv) the Russian
Federation; or (b) any person controlled
by a person indicated in (a) above
or any person the share capital of
which is 50 per cent. or more owned
directly or indirectly by a person
indicated in (a) above; or (c) any
person acting for the benefit or
on behalf of a person indicated in
(a) or (b) above
"Listing Rules" the rules and regulations made by
the Financial Conduct Authority under
the Financial Services and Markets
Act 2000, and contained in the Financial
Conduct Authority's publication of
the same name
"London Stock Exchange" London Stock Exchange plc
"Luna" Luna, Inc., an exempted company incorporated
under the laws of the Cayman Islands
"Luna Directors" the Lenta directors nominated for
appointment to the Lenta Board by
Luna (being John Oliver, Dmitry Shvets
and Steven Hellman)
"Luna GDRs" the Lenta GDRs agreed to be purchased
by Severgroup under the Luna SPA
"Luna SPA" the conditional share purchase agreement
dated 1 April 2019 entered into between
Severgroup and Luna under which Luna
has agreed to sell, and Severgroup
has agreed to purchase, 166,383,595
Lenta GDRs representing 33,276,719
Lenta Shares on the terms and subject
to the conditions of the Luna SPA
"Offer" the proposed cash offer to be made
by or on behalf of Severgroup (subject
to the satisfaction of the Pre-Condition)
to acquire the Lenta Securities subject
to the terms set out or referred
to in this announcement and to be
set out in the Offer Document, including,
where the context so requires, any
subsequent revision, variation, extension,
or renewal of such offer
"Offer Document" the offer document proposed to be
sent to (among others) Lenta Securityholders
containing and setting out, among
other things, the full terms of the
Offer
"Offer Period" the period commencing on 27 March
2019 (being the date on which the
possibility of the Offer being made
was first announced by Lenta) and
ending on the date on which the Offer
ceases to be open for acceptances
(or, if earlier, the date on which
the Luna SPA terminates or the Offer
terminates)
"Offer Price" US$18.00 per Lenta Share or US$3.60
per Lenta GDR (with respect to those
Lenta GDR Holders who are Russian
Residents, payable in Russian Roubles
at the exchange rate of US$ to Russian
Rouble established by the Central
Bank of the Russian Federation as
at the relevant payment date)
"Official List" the Official List of the UK Listing
Authority
"Overseas Securityholders" Lenta Securityholders (or nominees
of, or custodians or trustees for
Lenta Shareholders) not resident
in or citizens of the United Kingdom,
Russia or the United States
"PRA" the UK Prudential Regulatory Authority
"Pre-Condition" (a) all conditions to completion
of the sale and purchase of the Lenta
GDRs contemplated by the Luna SPA
having been satisfied or waived (and
the Luna SPA has not been terminated),
and (b) the process for completion
and settlement under the Luna SPA
having commenced, in each case in
accordance with the terms of the
Luna SPA
"Regulatory Information any information service authorised
Service" from time to time by the FCA for
the purpose of disseminating regulatory
announcements
"Restricted Jurisdiction" any jurisdiction where local laws
or regulations may result in a significant
risk of civil, regulatory or criminal
exposure if information concerning
the Offer is sent or made available
to Lenta Securityholders in that
jurisdiction
"Russian Depositary" means any legal entity licensed to
provide in the Russian Federation
depositary services in relation to
securities
"Russian Residents" has the meaning defined in the Russian
currency control laws, and includes
among others Russian citizens, legal
entities incorporated in Russia and
foreign citizens and stateless persons
permanently residing in Russia under
residence permit
"Sanctioned Country" any country or territory with which
dealings are broadly restricted or
prohibited by any Sanctions Laws
(as of the date hereof, Crimea, Cuba,
Iran, North Korea, and Syria)
"Sanctioned Person" (a) any Listed Person; (b) any person
located, organised, or resident in
any Sanctioned Country; or (c) any
person with whom dealings otherwise
are restricted or prohibited under
any Sanctions Laws, provided in each
case that a person shall not be deemed
to be a Sanctioned Person if no Sanctions
Law would prohibit or deem subject
to adverse consequences any transactions
contemplated by the Offer, its acceptance
and the payment of consideration
to a tendering Lenta Securityholder
in which such person participates,
assuming such Sanctions Law were
applicable to all transactions related
to this announcement and the persons
conducting such transactions
"Sanctions Invalidity" if any Lenta Securityholder who would
otherwise be entitled to tender its
Lenta Securities under the Offer
is or becomes a Sanctioned Person,
then any purported acceptance of
the Offer by such Lenta Securityholder
will be deemed to be (or, if such
acceptance has already been made
at the time, shall automatically
become with effect from the date
of such event) invalid and no transfer
of Lenta Securities to Severgroup
by such Lenta Securityholder and
no settlement of consideration to
which such Lenta Securityholder would
otherwise be entitled under the Offer
shall be made (in which case the
relevant Lenta Securities shall remain
the property of the relevant Lenta
Securityholder), but the Offer shall
otherwise remain in full force and
effect
"Sanctions Laws" all laws of the following jurisdictions:
(a) the United States, (b) the European
Union (and each constituent jurisdiction
thereof), (c) the United Kingdom,
(d) the British Virgin Islands or
(e) the Russian Federation, concerning
embargoes, economic sanctions, export
restrictions, the ability to make
or receive international payments,
the ability to engage in international
transactions, or the ability to take
an ownership interest in assets located
in a foreign country, including without
limitation all laws adopted by the
relevant jurisdiction's governmental
entities relating to the same or
similar subject matter as such laws
and regulations administered by OFAC,
BIS, or the U.S. Department of State
(or their respective successors)
"Sanctions Termination" if: (a) Severgroup, any parent undertaking
(as such term is defined under the
UK Companies Act 2006) of Severgroup,
or the ultimate controlling person
of Severgroup becomes a Sanctioned
Person; or (b) the acceptance of
the Offer, or the transfer of tendered
Lenta Securities to Severgroup, or
settlement of consideration to which
tendering Lenta Securityholders are
entitled under the Offer, would comprise
a violation of, or conduct subject
to adverse consequences under, any
Sanctions Law by any person (except
where any tendering Lenta Securityholder
is or becomes a Sanctioned Person),
then (in either case), with effect
from the date of such event, the
Offer shall automatically terminate
in its entirety and no transfer of
any tendered Lenta Securities to
Severgroup and no settlement of consideration
to which any Lenta Securityholder
would otherwise be entitled under
the Offer shall be made (in which
case any tendered Lenta Securities
shall remain the property of the
relevant tendering Lenta Securityholders)
"Severgroup" Severgroup LLC, incorporated in Russia
with registered address at 33, prospekt
Pobedy, Cherepovets, Vologda region,
Russia, 162614
"Severgroup Group" Severgroup and its subsidiaries
"SPA GDRs" the Luna GDRs and the EBRD GDRs
"SPAs" the Luna SPA and the EBRD SPA
"Tender Agent" Citibank N.A., London Branch, a national
banking association established under
the laws of the United States of
America, acting through the Agency
& Trust business of its London branch
at Citigroup Centre, Canada Square,
Canary Wharf, London, E14 5LB and
registered in the companies register
of England and Wales under no. BR001018,
in its capacity as the tender agent
appointed by Severgroup
"treasury shares" any Lenta Shares/GDRs held by Lenta
(including Lenta LLC) as treasury
shares
"UK" or "United Kingdom" the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland
"United States of America" the United States of America, its
or "United States" or territories and possessions, any
"US" state of the United States and the
District of Columbia
"US Exchange Act" the US Securities Exchange Act of
1934 as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder
"US Persons" US persons as defined in Regulation
S under the US Securities Act
"US Securities Act" the United States Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder
All references to time in this announcement are to London time
unless otherwise stated.
For the purposes of this announcement, "subsidiaries" has the
meaning given in the UK Companies Act 2006.
All references to "US dollar" or "US$" are to the lawful
currency of the United States. All references to "Russian Roubles"
are references to the lawful currency of the Russian
Federation.
All references to statutory provision or law or to any order or
regulation shall be construed as a reference to that provision,
law, order or regulation as extended, modified, replaced or
re-enacted from time to time and all statutory instruments,
regulations and orders from time to time made thereunder or
deriving validity therefrom.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
OFBDBGDSSGGBGCB
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April 02, 2019 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
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