STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 12, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Shareholders in AB Custos (publ) ("Custos") have submitted 1,364,428 shares in Custos for redemption through the redemption offer that expired on November 5, 2003.
A total value of SEK 470.01 millions will be transferred to Custos shareholders, which corresponds to SEK 344.501 per redeemed share.
Acceptance of the redemption offer
An Extraordinary General Meeting in Custos on September 30, 2003 voted to approve the redemption offer in Custos. Persons who on the record date of October 3, 2003 were shareholders in Custos received one redemption right for each Custos share held. Four redemption rights carried entitlement to redemption of one Custos share with payment in the form of three Bilia shares plus SEK 64 in cash for every redeemed Custos share. The redemption offer involved a total of 1,401,074 shares in Custos corresponding to a total value of SEK 482.71 millions.
The application period for the redemption offer expired on November 5, 2003. A total of 1,364,428 shares in Custos were tendered in the redemption offer and a total value of SEK 470.0 1) millions will be transferred to the shareholders. Accordingly, the degree of acceptance by those shareholders who redeemed shares by means of redemption rights was 97.4%. After the completion of this redemption program, the number of Custos shares outstanding will amount to 4,223,567 2).
Trading in redemption shares and delivery of redemption payment
Trading in Custos redemption shares begins on November 14, 2003 and concludes around December 2, 2003. Redemption shares will be redeemed for payment in the form of three Bilia shares plus SEK 64 in cash per redemption share after the requisite decisions have been implemented and registered with PRV.
Delivery of the redemption payment is expected to occur on or about December 10, 2003.
Commission-free sales
The average sales proceeds in the commission-free sale of redemption rights amounted to SEK 45.10 per redemption right. The considerations paid for the redemption rights sold through the commission-free sale procedure were reported to the shareholders about November 10, 2003.
For further information, contact Mikael Nachemson (+46 8 440 57 70)
This notice is published in Swedish and English. In the event of any difference between the English version and the Swedish original, the Swedish version shall govern.
1) Based on the closing price paid for a Bilia share on
November 11, 2003, which was SEK 93.50.
2) Assuming that the synthetic repurchased shares are redeemed.
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The following files are available for download:
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/11/12/20031112BIT00210/wkr0001.doc
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/11/12/20031112BIT00210/wkr0002.pdf