AI assistant
BHP Group Limited — Major Shareholding Notification 2008
Jan 3, 2008
14787_rns_2008-01-03_c9b38ad4-335c-4f8f-a79c-d4ac063b1f7c.pdf
Major Shareholding Notification
Open in viewerOpens in your device viewer
==> picture [164 x 89] intentionally omitted <==
Issued by: BHP Billiton Plc BHP Billiton Limited To: London Stock Exchange Australian Securities Exchange Cc: New York Stock Exchange JSE Limited Swiss Stock Exchange Deutsche Bank UBS Zurich Date: 3 January 2008 For Release: Immediately
BHP BILLITON PLC – RULE 2.10 ANNOUNCEMENT
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, BHP Billiton Plc and BHP Billiton Limited confirm that, as at 31 December 2007, BHP Billiton Plc had in issue 2,232,522,894 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each (including 25,515,350 shares held by BHP Billiton Limited) and BHP Billiton Limited had in issue 3,358,359,496 ordinary shares, excluding shares held as treasury shares.
The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) for the BHP Billiton Plc ordinary shares is GB0000566504 and for the ordinary shares represented by the BHP Billiton Plc American Depository Receipts is US05545E209. Each BHP Billiton Plc American Depository Receipt represents two ordinary shares of BHP Billiton Plc. The ISIN for the BHP Billiton Limited ordinary shares is AU000000BHP4 and for the ordinary shares represented by the BHP Billiton Limited American Depository Receipts is US088606108. Each BHP Billiton Limited American Depository Receipt represents two ordinary shares of BHP Billiton Limited.
Dealing Disclosure Requirements
Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”), if any person is, or becomes, “interested” (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of “relevant securities” of any of BHP Billiton Plc, BHP Billiton Limited, Rio Tinto Plc or Rio Tinto Limited, all “dealings” in any “relevant securities” of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such “relevant securities”) must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.
The relevant disclosure must also include details of all “interests” or “dealings” in any class of “relevant securities” of the other company which is part of its DLC structure. Therefore, if, for example, a disclosure is being made in respect of a dealing in securities of BHP Billiton Plc, an accompanying disclosure must also be made of interests or short positions held in securities of BHP Billiton Limited, even if the person’s interest or short position is less than 1% of the relevant class. The same approach should be adopted in respect of securities of Rio Tinto Plc and Rio Tinto Limited. Therefore, each disclosure should consist of two Rule 8.3 disclosure forms, one for the Plc arm of the DLC structure and one for the Limited arm of the DLC structure, released as one announcement.
This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the “offer period” otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an “interest” in “relevant securities” of BHP Billiton Plc, BHP Billiton Limited Rio Tinto Plc or Rio Tinto Limited, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all “dealings” in “relevant securities” of either BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto by BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto, or by any of their respective “associates”, must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.
A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose “relevant securities” “dealings” should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
“Interests in securities” arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an “interest” by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.
Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel’s website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a “dealing” under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia
Samantha Evans, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Email: [email protected]
Don Carroll, Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2686 Mobile: +61 417 591 938 Email: [email protected]
United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 Email: [email protected]
United Kingdom
Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974 Email: [email protected]
Illtud Harri, Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246 Email: [email protected]
South Africa
Alison GIlbert, Investor Relations Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183 Mobile: +44 7769 936 227 Email: [email protected]