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Vend Marketplaces ASA

Pre-Annual General Meeting Information Jan 24, 2019

3738_iss_2019-01-24_17b34254-e3c8-4f44-aa7e-0240f46c06dd.html

Pre-Annual General Meeting Information

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Schibsted ASA (SCHA/SCHB) - Proposed demerger of Schibsted ASA - Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting

Schibsted ASA (SCHA/SCHB) - Proposed demerger of Schibsted ASA - Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting

The Board of directors of Schibsted ASA ("Schibsted" or the "Company", ticker:

SCH) has in accordance with the decision announced on 18 September 2018 resolved

to propose to demerge its international online classifieds operations into a

separate listed company (referred to as "MPI").

The demerger is subject to approval by an extraordinary general meeting of

Schibsted to be held on 25 February 2019 at 09:00 hours in Schibsted's premises

in Oslo. The Notice of the extraordinary general meeting and the Demerger plan

are attached.

The Board of Directors of Schibsted believes that the separation will improve

the two entities' ability to pursue distinct growth strategies:

Schibsted going forward

* Focus on leveraging the broad digital footprint and deep consumer insights

in the Nordics.

* Unrivalled Nordic marketplaces leadership positions through Finn.no,

Blocket.se and Tori

* World class leading digital media brands

* Strong growth in fast developing consumer finance operations, like Lendo,

and price comparison services like Prisjakt

* Proven financial performance and track record

* Multiple growth avenues and ambitions to incubate new growth businesses

* Long term supportive shareholder of MPI

* Longstanding management team with proven track record

MPI

* A pure play multinational marketplaces business

* A leading pure play classifieds player combining global scale and local

leadership

* Longstanding track record of growth and solid profitability

* Multiple opportunities for long-term growth, well positioned to drive

industry consolidation

* Longstanding management team with proven track record

* Experienced Board of Directors with the combination of broad international

and financial experience and specific industry knowledge. Board independence

will be in accordance with international best practices and Norwegian Code

of Practice for Corporate Governance. Sophie Javary, Vice-Chairman CIB EMEA

at BNP Paribas, has been appointed Board member, in addition to previously

announced Orla Noonan, Kristin Skogen Lund, Peter Brooks-Johnson and Terje

Seljeseth.

* Backing by Schibsted as a long-term supportive shareholder

The separation should thus increase each entity's ability to enhance long term

value, grow business and attract and retain top talent.

Schibsted and MPI will have a target range over time for net interest-bearing

debt (NIBD) divided by EBITDA (adj.) of 1-3. MPI will target a ratio of net

interest-bearing debt (NIBD) divided by EBITDA (adj.) of 1-4, but being above 3

there should be a plan of bringing the gearing down to below 3 within a defined

period. After the demerger there will be limited debt in both companies. Further

details regarding the capital allocation strategy will be part of the market

communication ahead of the demerger.

Schibsted has prepared an information brochure for the demerger, which will be

available here https://schibsted.com/ir/ipo/ from around 14:00 CET today, 24

January 2019.

Information about the demerger:

Schibsted has established MPI as a wholly-owned subsidiary for the purposes of

the demerger, which will assume Schibsted's activities in international online

classifieds business (excluding the Nordics). MPI will apply for listing of its

shares on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The final name of MPI's will be announced

prior to the listing.

Due to legal constraints, MPI will initially inherit Schibsted's share structure

with A- and B-shares carrying different voting rights. However, Schibsted, as a

majority owner will, support a simplified governance structure without ownership

or voting limitations and an amalgamation into only one share class in due

course.

Upon completion of the demerger, shares representing 35% of the total number of

shares in MPI will be issued to Schibsted shareholders as consideration in the

demerger. Holders of A shares in Schibsted will receive one A share in MPI for

each A share held in Schibsted, and similarly, holders of B shares in Schibsted

will receive one B shares in MPI for each B share held in Schibsted. Schibsted

will upon completion of the demerger hold the remaining 65% of the shares in

MPI. Provided that prevailing market conditions so permit, Schibsted intends to

sell down 5% MPI shares in the market.

A demerger plan has been prepared jointly by the board of directors of Schibsted

and MPI. The demerger plan is attached to the notice for the extraordinary

general meeting.

Timetable

Indicative key dates for the demerger and the listing of MPI on the Oslo Stock

Exchange are as follows:

* Extraordinary general meeting of Schibsted to consider the demerger

proposal: 25 February 2019

* Capital Markets Day for Schibsted and MPI: 7 March 2019 in London

* Last day of trading of Schibsted-shares inclusive of the right to MPI

shares: 9 April 2019

Completion of the demerger by registration in the Norwegian Register of

Business Enterprises: 9 April 2019

* First day of trading in Schibsted-shares exclusive of right to consideration

shares in MPI: 10 April 2019

* First day of trading of MPI shares on the Oslo Stock Exchange: 10 April 2019

Except for the date of the extraordinary general meeting, the above dates are

indicative only, and may change.

As part of the listing process, MPI will prepare and publish a prospectus in

accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Contact person:

Jo Christian Steigedal, VP Head of IR. Tel: +47 415 08 733, email:

[email protected]

Oslo, 24 January 2019

SCHIBSTED ASA

Jo Christian Steigedal

Head of IR

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section

5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

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