COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 7, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- On April 30, 2002, the Board of Directors of Navision a/s ("Navision") confirmed that it was considering a possible strategic transaction on which basis the Copenhagen Stock Exchange was requested to transfer Navision to the "Observation List." The negotiations following the announcement on April 30, 2002, have now resulted in a public offer (the "Offer") from Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft") for all outstanding shares in Navision. According to the terms of the Offer, for each Navision share, Microsoft is offering a cash consideration of DKK 300, or upon election by a shareholder, a number of Microsoft shares based on the exchange ratio. The exchange ratio is calculated by dividing DKK 300 by the average closing price of Microsoft shares, adjusted for the currency exchange rate, for the five day trading period ending on the third business day prior to expiry of the Offer.
Having consulted external financial and legal advisers and having considered relevant issues regarding the Offer and the proposed transaction, the Board of Directors of Navision has unanimously decided to recommend the Offer from Microsoft to its shareholders. The Declaration from the Board of Directors is attached to this announcement as Appendix I.
Except for the disclosure of the Earnings Release for the third quarter of fiscal 2001/2002 (January 1 - March 31, 2002), no information has been disclosed during the negotiations with Microsoft that in the opinion of the Board of Directors requires publication. In accordance with Copenhagen Stock Exchange disclosure practise the Earnings Release for the third quarter of 2001/2002 is disclosed in this announcement as Appendix II.
Nordea Securities and Schroder Salomon Smith Barney are joint financial advisers to Navision.
This announcement will be available on the company's website: www.navision.com
The recommended offer by Microsoft Corporation will be presented to members of the press, analysts and investors at a meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2002 at 11:30 a.m. at Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, Hammerichsgade 1, 1711 Copenhagen.
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