Response to press speculation
The Board of GlobeOp Financial Services S.A. (“GlobeOp” or the “Company”) (LSE: GO.) notes the recent press speculation regarding a possible offer.
The Board remains confident about the Company’s current trading and future prospects as described in the Company’s pre-close trading update on 21 December 2011.
In light of the Company’s continued strong growth, the Board believes that the Company’s share price significantly undervalues its future prospects.
Accordingly, the Board is undertaking a detailed review of its strategic options to ensure that long-term value for shareholders is maximised. The Board has appointed Evercore Partners to advise on this review.
As part of this process, GlobeOp confirms that it is holding discussions with Advent International Corporation and TPG Capital regarding possible offers. These discussions remain at a preliminary stage and there can be no certainty that an offer will be made. In light of the possibility that certain directors may become involved in such an offer the Board has established an Independent Committee to conduct these discussions and consider any proposals received.
Commenting, GlobeOp’s Chairman Ed Nicoll, said:
“GlobeOp is performing extremely well and we are confident of continuing the strong growth of the business under our current ownership structure. Nevertheless, the Board felt it right to explore options which could enhance the interests of clients, employees and shareholders.”
There can be no certainty that this process will result in a transaction or an offer being made for GlobeOp. A further announcement will be made in due course.
In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, each of Advent International Corporation and TPG Capital must, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on 2 February 2012, either announce a firm intention to make an offer for the Company in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline will only be extended at the Company’s request with the consent of the Takeover Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.
Enquiries
Brunswick Group (PR advisor to GlobeOp) |
Gill Ackers | + 44 (0)20 7404 5959 goteam@brunswickgroup.com |
Evercore Partners (financial advisor to GlobeOp) |
Jane Gladstone Edward Banks |
+ 1 212 857 3169 + 44 (0)20 7268 2000 |
BofA Merrill Lynch (corporate broker to GlobeOp) |
Andrew Tusa Marcus Jackson |
+ 44 (0)20 7996 1000 |
Espirito Santo Investment Bank (corporate broker to GlobeOp) |
Peter Tracey Richard Crawley James Staveley |
+ 44 (0)20 7456 9191 |
. The content of the website referred to in this announcement is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.
Notes to Editors – About GlobeOp
GlobeOp Financial Services (LSE:GO.) is an independent financial administrator specialising in middle- and back-office services and integrated risk-reporting to hedge funds, asset management firms and other sectors of the financial industry — including family wealth, banks, insurance companies, pension funds and corporate treasuries. By outsourcing to GlobeOp, clients can reduce their technology investments and operational risks, while increasing their focus on asset generation and portfolio management. Established in 2000, GlobeOp’s innovative scope of services is engaged by approximately 200 clients worldwide representing $173 billion in assets under administration. Headquartered in London and New York, GlobeOp employs over 2,000 people on three continents through its 10 offices in the Cayman Islands, India, Ireland, the UK and U.S. Further information: ; ; .
Relevant securities in issue
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code, GlobeOp confirms that, as at the close of business on 4 January 2012, its issued share capital comprised 105,647,905 ordinary shares of $0.12 each. The International Securities Identification Number for these securities is LU0311272891.
Disclosure requirements of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any paper offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any paper offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any paper offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any paper offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a paper offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any paper offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any paper offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any paper offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a paper offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure, you should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
Evercore Partners International LLP is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority and is acting as financial advisor to GlobeOp and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than GlobeOp for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this announcement.
Merrill Lynch International is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority and is acting as corporate broker to GlobeOp and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than GlobeOp for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this announcement.
Execution Noble & Co Limited, trading as Espirito Santo Investment Bank, is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority and is acting as corporate broker to GlobeOp and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than GlobeOp for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this announcement.