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LENDLEASE GROUP — Capital/Financing Update 2009
Oct 11, 2009
65243_rns_2009-10-11_004f08e8-a3ad-45dc-afcb-2171e4588191.pdf
Capital/Financing Update
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ASX Announcement Lend Lease announces stapling proposal
12 October 2009
Lend Lease Corporation (“Lend Lease”) today announced a proposal to become a stapled entity (“Stapling Proposal”) on ASX. This will be achieved by distributing units in a newly created trust, Lend Lease Trust (“LLT”) to shareholders on a 1:1 basis and “stapling” each unit and share together so that they trade on ASX as a stapled security.
This proposal does not signal a departure from the Group’s current strategy, nor does the Group intend to become part of the listed property trust sector. The stapling simply provides greater flexibility for the optimum holding of assets should opportunities arise.
Stapling Proposal
The Stapling Proposal requires an amendment to the Lend Lease constitution to allow stapling of Lend Lease shares to units in LLT. Shareholder approval will be sought at Lend Lease’s Annual General Meeting to be held on 12 November 2009. If approved, shareholders of Lend Lease will receive by way of dividend one unit in LLT for each Lend Lease share.
Commenting on the Stapling Proposal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Steve McCann said:
“If approved, the new stapled structure will provide the Lend Lease Group with a more efficient capital structure for the ownership of investment assets.
Lend Lease has no current specific asset purchases in mind. The new stapled structure positions Lend Lease for growth using a more efficient vehicle should assets be added to the portfolio at a later date.”
The key benefits of the Stapling Proposal for Lend Lease shareholders are:
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more predictable distributions on income generated from passive assets;
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yield enhancement from income streams on passive assets;
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enhanced cash position of investors through capital returns which are treated as tax deferred; and
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improved liquidity.
Timetable
The following dates are indicative and are subject to change:
| The following dates are indicative and are subject to change: | |
|---|---|
| Last day for lodgement of proxy forms for Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) | 10 Nov. 2009 |
| AGM | 12 Nov. 2009 |
| Last day of trading in shares | 12 Nov. 2009 |
| Commencement of trading of stapled securities on a deferred settlementbasis | 13 Nov. 2009 |
| Record dateforStaplingProposal | 19Nov. 2009 |
| Effective date | 20Nov. 2009 |
| Date of dispatch of holding statements and last day of trading on deferredsettlement basis | 26 Nov. 2009 |
| Commencement of normaltrading ofStapled Securities | 27 Nov. 2009 |
Further details of the Stapling Proposal are contained in the Explanatory Statement and Notice of Meeting being mailed to shareholders today.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Sally Cameron Lend Lease Corporation Tel: 02 9236 6464