Not for release to US wire services or distribution in the United States
10 December 2021
NZX / ASX Code: EBO
EBOS ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF NZ$674 MILLION PLACEMENT
EBOS Group Limited (“EBOS”) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the fully underwritten placement ("Placement") of approximately 19.5 million new fully paid ordinary shares (“New Shares”), raising approximately NZ$674 million / A$642 million to partly fund the acquisition of LifeHealthcare.
The issue price of NZ$34.50 represented a 5.5% discount to the closing price on NZX of NZ$36.50 per share, as at 8 December 2021. The Placement was strongly supported by a broad range of existing and new investors across New Zealand, Australia and offshore. Eligible shareholders who bid for an amount less than or equal to their ‘pro rata’ share of New Shares under the Placement and Retail Offer have been allocated their full bid on a best endeavours basis.
John Cullity, EBOS Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very encouraged by the strong support from investors for the Placement and in particular, the level of support from our existing shareholders. We are also pleased to have the opportunity to welcome new high-quality investors to the register. The acquisition of LifeHealthcare accelerates EBOS’ medical devices strategy and creates a platform for EBOS to capitalise on additional future growth opportunities. We look forward to completion and the integration of LifeHealthcare into our existing institutional healthcare division.”
EBOS Chair, Liz Coutts added, “It is very pleasing to see the support EBOS has received for this transaction. I encourage our retail shareholders in New Zealand and Australia to read and consider the retail offer booklet that will be distributed to you in the coming days. We look forward to continuing to drive future growth through our disciplined investment strategy to create further shareholder value.”
EBOS’ ordinary shares will recommence trading upon market open today. Settlement of the Placement is expected to occur on Tuesday, 14 December and Wednesday, 15 December for the ASX and NZX respectively, with allotment of all New Shares (representing approximately 11.9% of EBOS’ existing shares on issue) on Wednesday, 15 December. The New Shares issued under the Placement will rank equally with EBOS existing ordinary shares on issue.
RETAIL OFFER
As previously announced, EBOS intends to conduct a non-underwritten retail offer to eligible existing shareholders to raise up to NZ$105 million (A$100 million ), with the ability to accept oversubscriptions at EBOS’ discretion (Retail Offer).
Full details of the Retail Offer will be set out in the Retail Offer Booklet, which will be released to the NZX and ASX, and sent to eligible shareholders on or about Wednesday, 15 December 2021. The closing date for applications by eligible shareholders is Monday, 17 January 2022.
KEY DATES
[PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT FOR TABLE OF KEY DATES]
This release was authorised for lodgement with NZX and ASX by the Chief Executive Officer.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
Martin Krauskopf
General Manager, M&A and Investor Relations
EBOS Group
[email protected]
Media:
New Zealand:
Geoff Senescall
Senescall Akers
+64 21 481 234
Australia:
Patrick Rasmussen
PRX
+61 430 159 690
ABOUT EBOS GROUP
EBOS Group Limited NZBN 9429031998840 (NZX/ASX Code: EBO) is the largest and most diversified Australasian marketer, wholesaler and distributor of healthcare, medical and pharmaceutical products. It is also a leading Australasian animal care brand owner, product marketer and distributor.
NOT FOR RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES
This market release has been prepared for publication in Australia and New Zealand and may not be released to US wires services or distributed in the United States. This market release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. The securities referred to in this release have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and, as a result, the securities may not be offered, sold or resold, directly or indirectly, in the United States or to persons acting for the account or benefit of a person in the United States (to the extent such persons hold EBOS shares and are acting for the account or benefit of a person in the United States) except in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the US Securities Act and the applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States.
You must not send copies of this announcement or any other material relating to the Retail Offer to any person in the United States or elsewhere outside Australia and New Zealand.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This market release contains forward looking statements which are identified by words such as ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘believes’, ‘estimates’, ‘expects’, ‘intends’ and other similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Indications of, and guidance on, future earnings and financial position and performance are also forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements, opinions and estimates provided in this announcement are based on assumptions and contingencies that are subject to change without notice and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, contingencies and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of EBOS and its related bodies corporate and affiliates and each of their respective directors, securityholders, officers, employees, partners, agents, advisers and management. This includes statements about market and industry trends, which are based on interpretations of market conditions.
Investors are strongly cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, particularly in light of the current economic climate and the significant volatility, uncertainty and disruption caused by the Covid pandemic. Forward-looking statements are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied on as an indication or guarantee of future performance. Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied in those statements and any projections and assumptions on which these statements are based.
These statements may assume the success of EBOS’ business strategies, the success of which may not be realised within the period for which the forward-looking statements may have been prepared, or at all.
No guarantee, representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, likelihood of achievement or reasonableness of any forecasts, prospects, returns, statements or tax treatment in relation to future matters contained in this announcement.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this market release, and except as required by applicable laws or regulations, EBOS, its representatives or advisers do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statement or other statements in this announcement, whether as a result of a change in expectations or assumptions, new information, future events, results or circumstances. Past performance and pro forma historical financial information is given for illustrative purposes only. It should not be relied on and it is not indicative of future performance, including future security prices.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This market release does not constitute investment or financial product advice, nor is it a recommendation to acquire shares in EBOS. It is not intended to be used as the basis for making a financial decision, nor is it intended to constitute legal, tax, accounting or other advice. You should make your own enquiries and investigations regarding any investment, and should seek your own professional advice on the legal, financial, accounting, taxation and other consequences of investing in EBOS.
This market release is not a prospectus, product disclosure statement or any other disclosure or offering document under New Zealand and Australian law (and has not been, and will not be, lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission) or any other law. This market release is for information purposes only and is not an invitation or offer of securities for subscription, purchase or sale in any jurisdiction and neither this market release nor anything in it shall form any part of any contract for the acquisition of EBOS shares.