TOP NEWS: Vodafone Makes Offer To KDG Minority Shareholders

(Alliance News) - Vodafone Group PLC and its subsidiary Vodafone Vierte Verwaltungs AG on Tuesday ...

Alliance News 22 December, 2020 | 9:26AM
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(Alliance News) - Vodafone Group PLC and its subsidiary Vodafone Vierte Verwaltungs AG on Tuesday announced a tender offer to all other shareholders of Kabel Deutschland Holding AG.

The Berkshire, England-based telecommunications company said it will offer EUR103 in cash for each KDG share, and has already received irrevocable undertakings from entities advised by New York-based DE Shaw group, activist investor Elliott Advisors UK Ltd and investment management company UBS O'Connor LLC.

Together, they hold just over 17% of KDG's share capital, and Vodafone will pay EUR1.56 billion for these shares and own at least 93.8% of KDG.

If all KDG minority shareholders tender their shares, the consideration will increase to EUR2.12 million.

The FTSE 100 constituent said the offer is beneficial to the company and will reduce Vodafone's exposure to ongoing legal proceedings related to the KDG acquisition.

Vodafone first announced its intention to acquire KDG in June 2013 via a voluntary public takeover offer. The offer completed in October 2013 and resulted in Vodafone owning 76.8% of KDG.

The Munich District Court in 2019 ruled that the compensation Vodafone paid was "adequate", but a number of KDG minority shareholders appealed this decision, triggering an appeals process "which has now commenced and is expected to take several years to complete", Vodafone said.

The company noted: "As a result of the agreement to tender their shares in KDG to Vodafone, the accepting shareholders will withdraw their appeal from the court of appeal in Munich. Elliott has also agreed to certain confidentiality and other restrictions, including commitments not to take further legal action against Vodafone."

Shares in Vodafone were down 0.4% at 121.42 pence in London on Tuesday.

By Zoe Wickens; zoewickens@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
Vodafone Group PLC 69.00 GBX -0.49

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