Pre-Annual General Meeting Information • Jan 24, 2019
Pre-Annual General Meeting Information
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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:
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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