Rec. Cash Offer for Reg Vardy

Pendragon PLC 05 December 2005 Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or part, in, into or from the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. For immediate release 3 December 2005 RECOMMENDED CASH OFFER by CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED on behalf of PENDRAGON PLC ('PENDRAGON') for REG VARDY PLC ('REG VARDY') Summary • The Boards of Pendragon and Reg Vardy announce that they have agreed the terms of a recommended cash offer for the whole of the issued and to be issued share capital of Reg Vardy. • The Offer of 800 pence in cash for each Reg Vardy share values the entire issued share capital of Reg Vardy at approximately £450 million. • The Offer represents a premium of: • 21 per cent. to the Closing Price of 662 pence per Reg Vardy Share on 15 November 2005, being the last business day prior to the announcement by Reg Vardy that it had received an approach from Pendragon; and • 43 per cent. to the average closing price of 558 pence per Reg Vardy Share for the six months prior to 15 November 2005, being the last business day prior to the announcement by Reg Vardy that it had received an approach from Pendragon. • Pendragon has received irrevocable undertakings from the Reg Vardy Directors and from certain persons connected to them to accept the Offer in respect of 15,291,007 Reg Vardy Shares, representing approximately 27.2 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Reg Vardy. These irrevocable undertakings will only cease to be binding in the event that the Offer lapses or is withdrawn. • Sir Peter Vardy has agreed to enter into an arrangement which would allow Pendragon to acquire, at its option, 9,348,111 Reg Vardy Shares, representing 16.6 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Reg Vardy, at the Offer Price of 800 pence per share. • The Reg Vardy Directors, who have been so advised by their financial adviser, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In giving advice to the Reg Vardy Directors, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein has taken into account the commercial assessments of the Reg Vardy Directors. Accordingly, the Reg Vardy Directors intend unanimously to recommend Reg Vardy Shareholders to accept the Offer. • The Offer is a Class 1 transaction for Pendragon under the Listing Rules and is therefore conditional, inter alia, on the approval by Pendragon Shareholders of the Offer at an extraordinary general meeting. The Directors of Pendragon will unanimously recommend Pendragon Shareholders to vote in favour of the necessary resolution. Commenting on the Offer, Sir Nigel Rudd, Chairman of Pendragon, said: 'Pendragon has pursued a strategy of growth through significant acquisitions and consistent with this we are pleased to announce this recommended offer for Reg Vardy. We believe that the combination of the two companies will strengthen relationships with principal manufacturer partners, lead to improved returns for our shareholders and provide greater opportunities within the enlarged group for all team members.' John F Standen, Chairman of Reg Vardy, said: 'Pendragon's offer represents an attractive price for Reg Vardy Shareholders. Also, it reflects the considerable contribution of all the Reg Vardy colleagues over many years to create a major force in UK motor retailing. It should provide the opportunity for the Reg Vardy colleagues and customers to benefit from being stakeholders in what would undoubtedly be the UK's largest motor retailing group in a fast changing market place.' This summary should be read in conjunction with the full text of the attached announcement. ENQUIRIES Pendragon PLC Reg Vardy plc Trevor Finn, Chief Executive Sir Peter Vardy, Chief Executive David Forsyth, Finance Director Robert Forrester, Managing Director Telephone: 01623 725 114 Citigroup Global Markets Limited Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Limited (Financial adviser and corporate (Financial adviser and corporate broker broker to Pendragon) to Reg Vardy) Philip Robert-Tissot Charles Batten Sam Small Michael Covington Chris Zeal (Corporate Broking) Telephone: 020 7623 8000 Telephone: 020 7986 4000 Finsbury Group Financial Dynamics (Public relations adviser to Pendragon) (Public relations adviser to Reg Vardy) Rupert Younger Jonathon Brill 07836 622 683 Gordon Simpson Billy Clegg 07977 578 153 Telephone: 020 7251 3801 Citigroup Global Markets Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for Pendragon and for no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to clients of Citigroup Global Markets Limited or for providing advice in relation to the Offer. Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting for Reg Vardy and for no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Reg Vardy for providing the protections afforded to clients of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Limited or for providing advice in relation to the Offer. This announcement does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase any securities. The Offer is not being and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission, electronic mail, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facilities of a national securities exchange of, the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan and the Offer will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility, directly or indirectly from or within the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. Dealing disclosure requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code, if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of Reg Vardy, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of Reg Vardy (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 3.30pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. 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 Reg Vardy, 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 Reg Vardy by Pendragon or Reg Vardy, 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. Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or part, in, into or from the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. For immediate release 3 December 2005 RECOMMENDED CASH OFFER by CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED on behalf of PENDRAGON PLC for REG VARDY PLC 1. Introduction The boards of Pendragon and Reg Vardy announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by Citigroup on behalf of Pendragon to acquire the whole of the issued and to be issued share capital of Reg Vardy. The Offer values each Reg Vardy Share at 800 pence and Reg Vardy's entire issued share capital at approximately £450 million. Pendragon has received irrevocable undertakings to accept the Offer from certain Reg Vardy Shareholders in respect of a total of 15,291,007 Reg Vardy Shares representing approximately 27.2 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Reg Vardy. Sir Peter Vardy has agreed to enter into an arrangement which would allow Pendragon to acquire, at its option, 9,348,111 Reg Vardy Shares, representing 16.6 per cent. of the existing share capital of Reg Vardy, at the Offer Price of 800 pence per share. The Offer is a Class 1 transaction for Pendragon under the Listing Rules and is therefore conditional, inter alia, on the approval by Pendragon Shareholders of the Offer at an extraordinary general meeting to be held shortly. 2. Recommendation of the Reg Vardy Board The Reg Vardy Directors, who have been so advised by their financial adviser, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In giving advice to the Reg Vardy Directors, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein has taken into account the commercial assessments of the Reg Vardy Directors. Accordingly, the Reg Vardy Directors intend unanimously to recommend that Reg Vardy Shareholders should accept the Offer, as they intend to do so in respect of their entire holdings, and the holdings of certain persons connected with them, amounting to an aggregate of 13,244,820 Reg Vardy Shares, representing approximately 23.5 per cent. of Reg Vardy's existing issued share capital. 3. The Offer On behalf of Pendragon, Citigroup will offer to acquire, on the terms and subject to the conditions to be set out in the Offer Document and in the accompanying Form of Acceptance, the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Reg Vardy on the following basis: for each Reg Vardy Share 800 pence in cash The Offer values the entire existing issued share capital of Reg Vardy at approximately £450 million. The Offer represents a premium of: • 21 per cent. to the Closing Price of 662 pence per Reg Vardy Share on 15 November 2005, being the last business day prior to the announcement by Reg Vardy that it had received an approach from Pendragon; and • 43 per cent. to the average closing price of 558 pence per Reg Vardy Share for the six months prior to 15 November 2005, being the last business day prior to the announcement by Reg Vardy that it had received an approach from Pendragon. The Reg Vardy Shares will be acquired by Pendragon fully paid up and free from all liens, equitable interests, charges, encumbrances, rights of pre-emption and other third party rights or interests and together with all rights now or hereafter attaching thereto, including the right to receive and retain all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or after the date hereof. The Offer will extend to any Reg Vardy Shares which are unconditionally allotted or issued fully paid (or credited as fully paid) prior to the date on which the Offer closes (or such earlier date as Pendragon may, subject to the City Code and/or with the consent of the Panel, determine, being not earlier than the date on which the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances or, if later, the First Closing Date of the Offer) pursuant to the exercise of options under the Reg Vardy Share Option Schemes or otherwise. The Offer will initially be open for acceptance for a period of 21 days following the posting of the Offer Document but may be extended in accordance with the provisions of the City Code. The Offer will be subject to the conditions and further terms set out in Appendix I to this announcement. 4. Irrevocable undertakings and call option Pendragon has received irrevocable undertakings to accept the Offer from each of the Reg Vardy Directors who own Reg Vardy Shares in respect of their entire holdings of Reg Vardy Shares and the holdings of certain persons connected with them comprising, in aggregate, 15,291,007 Reg Vardy Shares (of which 10,379,962 are held beneficially and 4,911,045 are non-beneficial holdings), representing approximately 27.2 per cent. of the entire existing issued share capital of Reg Vardy. These irrevocable undertakings will lapse only in the event of the Offer lapsing or being withdrawn. Sir Peter Vardy has agreed to enter into an arrangement which would allow Pendragon to acquire, at its option, 9,348,111 Reg Vardy Shares, representing 16.6 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Reg Vardy, at the Offer Price of 800 pence per share. Further details of these undertakings, including the circumstances in which they may cease to be binding, are set out in Appendix II to this announcement. 5. Background to and reasons for the Offer (i) Background The changes to the Block Exemption rules in 2003 have enabled Pendragon to pursue with more confidence its stated strategy of growing its business with selected manufacturer partners. The Block Exemption rules introduced the following principal advantages for large dealer groups such as Pendragon: • greater certainty and opportunity for motor dealers to build value within their franchises as manufacturers are no longer able to terminate franchise agreements without clear and objective reasons. This allows dealers to take a longer term view and to build value in their businesses; • the ability to acquire franchised dealerships without prior approval from manufacturers provided that the acquirer already has at least one franchised dealership of the particular brand; • the ability to source parts from the original manufacturer rather than from the vehicle manufacturer; • greater ability to have more than one franchise on a single site; and • the ability to operate as a stand-alone authorised service and repair provider. In 2004, Pendragon successfully acquired the then second largest dealer group in the UK, CD Bramall. That business has been successfully integrated with Pendragon's business over the past 22 months. During the period since the CD Bramall acquisition, Pendragon has also made a number of small dealership purchases and added different franchises to some of its existing sites. Pendragon has structured its organisation for growth by focusing its management on individual franchises and by investing in the development and implementation of its in-house software and technology systems. Pendragon believes that it is well positioned to participate actively in the consolidation of the motor retailing industry in the UK. Pendragon believes that its ability to optimise the benefits of scale of any acquisition will be enhanced through efficiencies gained by the use of in-house technology systems which enable effective management and control of all aspects of its business. (ii) Reasons for the Offer The Offer for Reg Vardy is consistent with Pendragon's stated strategy of increasing its scale with a select number of manufacturing partners. The acquisition last year of CD Bramall was an important step towards this strategy and the Offer for Reg Vardy advances Pendragon further in that direction. Pendragon expects to benefit from economies of scale in both its cost base and in purchasing as the new business is integrated. It believes that there will be duplicated costs which can be eliminated, such as costs associated with Reg Vardy's listed company status. Increased scale also enables the spreading of costs incurred in the development of information technology and placing of advertising across the Enlarged Pendragon Group. The Pendragon Directors believe that the Acquisition will be immediately earnings enhancing (although this statement should not be interpreted to mean that the earnings per share of the Enlarged Pendragon Group will necessarily be greater than or equal to those of prior years). Upon the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects, Pendragon's borrowings will increase considerably. The Pendragon Directors are satisfied with the Enlarged Pendragon Group's ability to meet repayments as they fall due and expect borrowings to decrease as a result of, inter alia, the strong operating cash flows of the Enlarged Pendragon Group, working capital efficiencies and the sale and lease back of certain properties. The Pendragon Directors believe that they have demonstrated over recent history their ability to manage substantial acquisitions and subsequently integrate the enlarged entity. This was most recently shown by the acquisition last year of CD Bramall and before this by the businesses bought from Lex Service in 1998 and 2000 and the acquisition of Evans Halshaw in 1999. In each of these cases, Pendragon's borrowings increased significantly, but management was able quickly to return the Group to its ongoing target borrowing levels. 6. Information on Reg Vardy The Reg Vardy Group is one of the UK's largest motor vehicle retailers with a total of 97 franchises from 98 outlets and is also involved in leasing, contract hire and rental of vehicles. Reg Vardy's car division includes franchises with Aston Martin, BMW, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault, Vauxhall and Volkswagen. For the year ended 30 April 2005 (on a UK GAAP basis), Reg Vardy's consolidated annual turnover was £1,717.9 million (2004: £1,610.4 million) and profit before tax was £43.8 million (2004: £45.6 million). As at 30 April 2005, the gross assets of the Reg Vardy Group were £555.0 million and net assets of the Reg Vardy Group were £205.5 million. 7. Information on Pendragon The Pendragon Group is one of the largest UK motor car retailers, operating a total of 287 franchises from 230 outlets in the UK and 22 franchises from 15 outlets overseas. Pendragon has motor car franchises for Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler Jeep, Daihatsu, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Iveco, Kia, Jaguar, Land Rover, LDV, Lotus, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Saab, smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Vauxhall and Volvo, together with franchises for Japanese and American motor cycles and heavy commercial vehicles. In addition to retailing new and used motor vehicles, Pendragon provides aftersales services and vehicle contract hire and leasing. Pendragon also sells software products to the motor trade, mainly through its subsidiary, Pinewood Technologies PLC. Pendragon primarily operates in the UK but also has motor car retailing businesses in Germany and the USA. For the year ended 31 December 2004 (on a UK GAAP basis), Pendragon Group's consolidated annual turnover was £3,173.2 million (2003: £1,841.6 million) and profit before tax was £65.0 million (2003: £44.3 million). As at 31 December 2004, the gross assets of the Pendragon Group were £1,240.3 million and net assets of the Pendragon Group were £179.3 million. The Pendragon Group announced its interim results for the six month period ended 30 June 2005 on 4 August 2005. In those interim results, the Pendragon Group reported (on an IFRS basis) for the six months to 30 June 2005 turnover of £1,751.2 million (2004: £1,598.4 million), operating profit of £55.2 million (2004: £53.7 million), profit on ordinary activities before taxation of £35.3 million (2004: £38.1 million) and earnings per share of 19.7 pence (2004: 21.3 pence). 8. Current trading and prospects for the Pendragon Group In its interim results for the six month period ended 30 June 2005, the Pendragon Group stated that the then latest industry forecast for 2005 new car registrations in the UK was down 4.6 per cent. on 2004 levels. Since then, the market has continued to weaken. This is due primarily to a slowdown in the corporate market, which represents 55 per cent. of the new car market. During the first half of 2005, the corporate market traded at levels which were consistent with the prior period. However, sales to the corporate market have declined during the second half of the year. Industry forecasts for 2005 new car registrations in the UK are now 5.2 per cent. below those for 2004. The Pendragon Directors expect that for the remainder of the current financial year, trading will be broadly in line with expectations and that consumer confidence will remain at current levels throughout 2006. The Pendragon Directors do not envisage any up turn in the new car market in the next year. 9. Management and employees The Pendragon Board has confirmed that, following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects, the existing employment rights, including pension rights, of all the employees of Reg Vardy will be fully safeguarded. The Pendragon Board will, following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects, assume full responsibility for the management of the business currently carried on by the Reg Vardy Board. 10. Inducement fee In consideration of, and as an inducement to, Pendragon making the Offer, Reg Vardy has agreed to pay to Pendragon an inducement fee of £4.55 million in certain limited circumstances, including if an independent competing offer is announced prior to the offer lapsing or being withdrawn and which subsequently becomes unconditional in all respects or is completed. This agreement is described in further detail in Appendix II to this announcement. 11. Reg Vardy Share Option Schemes The Offer will extend to any Reg Vardy Shares which are issued or unconditionally allotted fully paid (or credited as fully paid) before the date on which the Offer closes (or such earlier date as Pendragon may, subject to the City Code, determine being not earlier than the date on which the Offer becomes or is declared wholly unconditional as to acceptances or, if later, the First Closing Date) pursuant to the exercise of options granted under the Reg Vardy Share Option Schemes. To the extent that options under the Reg Vardy Share Option Schemes are not exercised before the date on which the Offer closes, and if the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects, Pendragon will make appropriate proposals to Reg Vardy Option Holders in due course. 12. Financing the Offer The Offer will be fully funded through a combination of cash in hand and drawings under new committed facilities of £700 million underwritten by the Royal Bank of Scotland plc. 13. Compulsory acquisition, delisting and cancellation of trading If the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects, it is the intention of Pendragon, assuming it becomes so entitled, to acquire compulsorily any outstanding Reg Vardy Shares pursuant to the provisions of sections 428 to 430F (inclusive) of the Act. Following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects and sufficient acceptances being received, Pendragon intends to procure that Reg Vardy will apply for the cancellation of the listing of the Reg Vardy Shares on the Daily Official List and trading on the London Stock Exchange's market for listed securities. It is anticipated that such cancellation will take effect no earlier than 20 business days after Pendragon has acquired or agreed to acquire 75 per cent. of the voting rights attending to the Reg Vardy Shares. It is also proposed that resolutions will be proposed to re-register Reg Vardy as a private company. De-listing is likely to reduce significantly the liquidity and marketability of any Reg Vardy Shares in respect of which the Offer has not been accepted. 14. Pendragon Extraordinary General Meeting The Offer is a Class 1 transaction for Pendragon under the Listing Rules and is therefore conditional, inter alia, on the approval by Pendragon Shareholders of the Offer and its funding at an extraordinary general meeting. Accordingly, a circular convening the extraordinary general meeting will be posted to Pendragon Shareholders as soon as practicable. All Pendragon Directors intend to vote in favour of the necessary resolutions in respect of beneficial holdings of, in aggregate, 6,971,438 Pendragon Shares (representing approximately 5.3 per cent. of the existing ordinary share capital of Pendragon). 15. General Your attention is drawn to the further information contained in the Appendices which form part of this announcement. The full text of the conditions and certain further terms of the Offer set out in Appendix I to this announcement form part of and should be read in conjunction with this announcement. Appendix II to this announcement provides details of additional information regarding the Offer, including the basis of calculations and sources of certain information included in this announcement. Appendix III to this announcement contains definitions of the terms used in this announcement. The Offer will be subject to the applicable requirements of the Code. The Offer Document and Form of Acceptance setting out in full the terms and conditions of the Offer will be dispatched to Reg Vardy Shareholders as soon as possible. This announcement does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase any securities. ENQUIRIES Pendragon PLC Reg Vardy plc Trevor Finn, Chief Executive Sir Peter Vardy, Chief Executive David Forsyth, Finance Director Robert Forrester, Managing Director Telephone: 01623 725 114 Citigroup Global Markets Limited Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Limited (Financial adviser and corporate (Financial adviser and corporate broker broker to Pendragon) to Reg Vardy) Philip Robert-Tissot Charles Batten Sam Small Michael Covington Chris Zeal (Corporate Broking) Telephone: 020 7623 8000 Telephone: 020 7986 4000 Finsbury Group Financial Dynamics (Public relations adviser to Pendragon) (Public relations adviser to Reg Vardy) Rupert Younger Jonathon Brill 07836 622 683 Gordon Simpson Billy Clegg 07977 578 153 Telephone: 020 7251 3801 Citigroup Global Markets Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for Pendragon and for no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to clients of Citigroup Global Markets Limited or for providing advice in relation to the Offer. Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting for Reg Vardy and for no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Reg Vardy for providing the protections afforded to clients of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Limited or for providing advice in relation to the Offer. The Offer is not being and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission, electronic mail, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facilities of a national securities exchange of, the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan and the Offer will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility, directly or indirectly from or within the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. Dealing disclosure requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code, if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of Reg Vardy, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of Reg Vardy (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 3.30pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. 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 Reg Vardy, 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 Reg Vardy by Pendragon or Reg Vardy, 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. Appendix I Conditions and certain Further Terms of the Offer PART A: CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER The Offer will be subject to the following conditions: (a) valid acceptances being received (and not, where permitted, withdrawn) by not later than 3.00pm on the First Closing Date (or such later time(s) and/or date(s) as Pendragon may, subject to the rules of the Code or with the consent of the Panel, decide) in respect of not less than 90 per cent. (or such lesser percentage as Pendragon may decide) in nominal value of the Reg Vardy Shares to which the Offer relates, provided that this condition will not be satisfied unless Pendragon and/or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries shall have acquired or agreed to acquire, whether pursuant to the Offer or otherwise, Reg Vardy Shares carrying, in aggregate, more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights then normally exercisable at a general meeting of Reg Vardy, including for this purpose, to the extent (if any) required by the Panel, any such voting rights attaching to any Reg Vardy Shares that are unconditionally allotted or issued before the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances, whether pursuant to the exercise of any outstanding conversion or subscription rights or otherwise; and for this purpose: (i) the expression 'Reg Vardy Shares to which the Offer relates' shall be construed in accordance with sections 428-430F of the Act; and (ii) Reg Vardy Shares that have been unconditionally allotted shall be deemed to carry the voting rights that they will carry upon issue; (b) the passing at an extraordinary general meeting of Pendragon (or at any adjournment thereof) of a resolution to approve, fund, implement and effect the Offer and the acquisition of any Reg Vardy Shares; (c) no relevant authority having intervened in a way that would or might reasonably: (i) make the Offer or its implementation or the acquisition by the Offeror or any member of the Pendragon Group of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Reg Vardy, void, illegal or unenforceable or directly or indirectly restrict, restrain, prohibit, delay or otherwise materially interfere with the implementation of, or impose additional material conditions or obligations with respect to, or otherwise materially challenge, the Offer or the acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Reg Vardy by the Offeror or any member of the Pendragon Group; or (ii) require, impede, delay or prevent the divestiture, or alter the terms of any proposed divestiture, by any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group or by any member of the wider Pendragon Group of all or any portion of their respective businesses (or any of them), assets or property or impose any limitation on the ability of any of them to conduct their respective businesses or to own or continue to enjoy the benefits currently enjoyed in relation to their respective assets or property or any part of them in any such case to an extent which is material in the context of the wider Reg Vardy Group or the wider Pendragon Group; or (iii) impose any limitation on, or result in a delay in the ability of, any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group or the wider Pendragon Group to acquire or to hold or effectively to exercise (whether directly or indirectly) all or any rights of ownership of shares or other securities (or the equivalent) in, or management control over, any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group in any such case to an extent which is material in the context of the wider Reg Vardy Group or the wider Pendragon Group; or (iv) except as required pursuant to the Code require any member of the wider Pendragon Group or the wider Reg Vardy Group to offer to acquire any shares or other securities (or the equivalent) or interest in any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group and the Pendragon Group owned by any third party; or (v) require the divestiture by any member of the wider Pendragon Group of any shares or other securities in Reg Vardy; or (vi) impose any limitation on the ability of any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group or the wider Pendragon Group to co-ordinate their respective businesses, or any part of them, with the businesses of any other member of the wider Reg Vardy Group or the wider Pendragon Group in any such case to an extent which is material in the context of the wider Reg Vardy Group or the wider Pendragon Group; or (vii) otherwise materially and adversely affect the business, financial position, profits or prospects of any member of the wider Pendragon Group or of any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group; and all applicable waiting and other time periods during which any relevant authority could intervene having expired, lapsed or terminated; (d) all necessary filings having been made to relevant authorities, clearances obtained from relevant authorities and all appropriate waiting and other time periods under any applicable legislation or regulations in any jurisdiction having expired, lapsed or been terminated and all authorisations necessary for, or in respect of, the Offer or the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Reg Vardy by any member of the wider Pendragon Group or the carrying on by any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group or the wider Pendragon Group of its business having been obtained, in terms and in a form satisfactory to Pendragon (acting reasonably), from all relevant authorities and all such authorisations remaining in full force and effect and there has not been received any notice or intimation of an intention to revoke, or not to renew, any of the same and all applicable statutory or regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction having been complied with in all material respects; (e) save as disclosed in the Reg Vardy annual report and accounts for the year ended 30 April 2005 ('Reg Vardy's Financial Results') and/or as publicly announced by Reg Vardy by notifying a Regulatory Information Service on or prior to 2 December 2005 ('publicly announced') and/or as disclosed in writing to Pendragon on or prior to 2 December 2005 ('disclosed to Pendragon') there being no provision of any arrangement, agreement, licence, permit, franchise or other instrument to which any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group is a party or by or to which any such member or any of its assets are or may be bound, entitled or subject and which, in consequence of the Offer or the Acquisition or the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of Reg Vardy by Pendragon or any member of the wider Pendragon Group or because of a change in the control or management of any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group or otherwise, would or might result in (to an extent which is material in the context of the wider Reg Vardy Group): (i) any monies borrowed by, or other indebtedness (actual or contingent) of, or grant available to any such member of the wider Reg Vardy Group being or becoming repayable, or becoming capable of being declared repayable, immediately or prior to its stated maturity, or the ability of any such member to borrow monies or incur any indebtedness being withdrawn or inhibited or being capable of being withdrawn or materially inhibited; or (ii) the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge or other security interest over the whole or any significant part of the business, property or assets of any such member of the wider Reg Vardy Group, or any such mortgage, charge or other security interest (whenever arising or having arisen) becoming enforceable; or (iii) any such arrangement, agreement, licence, permit, franchise or other instrument or the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of any such member of the wider Reg Vardy Group under any such arrangement, agreement, licence, permit, franchise or other instrument being terminated or modified adversely or affected adversely or any action being taken, or any obligation or liability arising thereunder; or (iv) any assets or interests of any such member of the wider Reg Vardy Group being or falling to be disposed of or charged or any right arising under which any such asset or interest could be required to be disposed of or charged; or (v) the financial or trading position or prospects of the wider Reg Vardy Group being adversely affected. and no event having occurred which, under any provision of such, arrangement, agreement, licence, permit, franchise or other instrument to which any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group is a party or by or to which any such member or any of its assets is bound, entitled or subject will result in or give rise to any of the events or circumstances as are referred to in paragraphs (i) to (v) of this paragraph (e); (f) except as disclosed in Reg Vardy's Financial Results and/or publicly announced and/or disclosed to Pendragon, no member of the wider Reg Vardy Group having, since 30 April 2005, otherwise than with the written agreement of Pendragon: (i) issued or agreed to issue or authorised or proposed the issue of additional shares of any class, or of securities convertible into, or rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or acquire, any such shares or convertible securities (save as between Reg Vardy and wholly-owned subsidiaries of Reg Vardy and save for options granted, or the issue of any Reg Vardy Shares upon exercise of options granted, under the Reg Vardy Share Option Schemes prior to 30 April 2005); or (ii) recommended, declared, paid or made or proposed to recommend, declare, pay or make any bonus, dividend or other distribution except to a member of the wider Reg Vardy Group; or (iii) purchased, redeemed or repaid or announced any proposal to purchase, redeem or repay any of its own shares or other securities (whether or not convertible into shares) or reduced or made any other change to any part of its share capital; or (iv) issued, authorised or proposed or announced the issue of any debentures or made, recognised or proposed or announced any change in its loan capital or, save in the ordinary course of business, incurred or increased any indebtedness or contingent liability or become subject to any contingent liability other than to a wholly owned subsidiary of Reg Vardy; or (v) merged with or acquired any body corporate or acquired or disposed of or transferred, mortgaged or encumbered any material asset (including shares and trade investments) or any right, title or interest in any material asset, or undertaken any material liability, other than in the ordinary course of business, or proposed or announced any intention to propose any such merger, acquisition, disposal, mortgage or encumbrance (in each case other than in the ordinary course of business); or (vi) entered into or varied, or authorised, proposed or announced its intention to enter into or vary any contract, transaction, arrangement or commitment which might reasonably be considered to be of a long term, unduly onerous or unusual nature or magnitude or which might reasonably be considered to be materially restrictive on the business of any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group or which involves or might reasonably be expected to involve an obligation of such a nature or magnitude or which is not in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, the acquisition or disposal of any interest in any undertaking or the implementation of any merger, demerger, reconstruction, scheme or amalgamation); or (vii) taken any corporate action or had any legal proceedings instituted or threatened against it or any order made for its winding-up (voluntarily or otherwise), dissolution or reorganisation or any analogous procedures in any jurisdiction, or for the appointment of a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, trustee or similar officer over all or any of its assets or revenues; or (viii) entered into, or varied the terms of any contract, arrangement or commitment with any of the directors of Reg Vardy or senior executives of any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group; or (ix) been unable or having admitted in writing that it is unable to pay its debts or having stopped or suspended (or threatened to stop or suspend) payment of its debts generally or ceased or threatened to cease carrying on all or a substantial part of its business; or (x) made or agreed or consented to any change to the terms of any trust deed constituting the pension scheme(s) established for its directors and/or employees and/or their dependants or to the benefits which accrue, or to the pensions which are payable thereunder, or to the basis on which qualification for or accrual or entitlement to such benefits or pensions are calculated or determined, or to the basis upon which the liabilities of such pension schemes are funded or made, or agreed or consented to any change to the trustees involving the appointment of a trust corporation; or (xi) made any amendment to its memorandum or articles of association; or (xii) waived or compromised any claim other than in the ordinary course of business; or (xiii) entered into any agreement, arrangement or commitment or passed any resolution or made any announcement, with respect to any of the transactions, matters or events referred to in this paragraph (f); (g) except as disclosed in Reg Vardy's Financial Results and/or as otherwise publicly announced since 30 April 2005 and/or as disclosed to Pendragon, since 30 April 2005: (i) there having been no material adverse change in the business, assets, financial or trading position or profits or prospects of the wider Reg Vardy Group taken as a whole; (ii) there having been no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or other legal proceedings or investigation instituted, announced or threatened by or against or remaining outstanding in respect of any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group which in any such case is material in the context of the Reg Vardy Group taken as a whole; and (iii) no contingent or other liability having arisen which would or might reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the business of the wider Reg Vardy Group, taken as a whole; (h) Pendragon not having discovered that, save as publicly announced or otherwise disclosed to Pendragon: (i) any financial or business or other information concerning the wider Reg Vardy Group disclosed at any time by or on behalf of any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group (whether publicly or otherwise) to Pendragon either contains a misrepresentation of fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the information contained therein not misleading, in either case, where the misrepresentation or omission is material in the context of the wider Reg Vardy Group taken as a whole; or (ii) any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group is subject to any liability, contingent or otherwise other than such a liability incurred in the ordinary course of business, which is not disclosed in Reg Vardy's Financial Results or has not been publicly announced or otherwise disclosed to Pendragon and which is material in the context of the Reg Vardy Group taken as a whole; or (iii) there has been an emission, disposal, discharge, deposit, spillage or leak of waste or hazardous or harmful substances on or about or from any property now or previously owned, occupied or made use of by any past or present member of the wider Reg Vardy Group which could give rise to any liability (whether actual or contingent) or cost on the part of any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group which is or would be material in the context of the wider Reg Vardy Group taken as a whole; or (iv) any past or present member of the wider Reg Vardy Group has not complied with all applicable laws or regulations of any relevant jurisdiction in relation to environmental matters, which non-compliance would be likely to give rise to any liability (whether actual or contingent) or cost on the part of any member of the wider Reg Vardy Group which would be material in the context of the business of the wider Reg Vardy Group taken as a whole; or (v) circumstances exist whereby a person or class of persons would be likely to have any claim or claims in respect of any product or service provided by or carried out by any past or present member of the wider Reg Vardy Group and which is material in the context of the wider Reg Vardy Group taken as a whole; or (vi) there is or is likely to be any liability (whether actual or contingent) or requirement of any past or present member of the wider Reg Vardy Group to make good, repair, reinstate or clean up any property now or previously owned, occupied, made use of or harmed by any past or present member of the wider Reg Vardy Group or any controlled waters under any environmental legislation, regulation, notice, circular or order of any relevant authority or otherwise which is material in the context of the business of the wider Reg Vardy Group taken as a whole. For the purposes of these conditions: (a) 'relevant authority' means any government or governmental, quasi-governmental, supranational, statutory, regulatory or investigative body, court, trade agency, association, institution or professional or environmental body or any other regulatory body or person in any jurisdiction but excluding the Office of Fair Trading, the Competition Commission and the Pensions Regulator; (b) a relevant authority shall be regarded as having 'intervened' if it has decided or intimated a decision to take, institute, implement or threaten any action, proceeding, suit, investigation, reference or enquiry, or made or enacted or proposed any statute, regulation, decision or order or taken any other steps and 'intervene' shall be construed accordingly; (c) 'authorisations' mean authorisations, determinations, orders, grants, recognitions, confirmations, consents, licences, clearances, permissions, certificates and approvals; and (d) the 'wider Reg Vardy Group' means Reg Vardy and its subsidiary undertakings, associated undertakings and any other undertaking in which Reg Vardy and such undertakings (aggregating their interests) have a significant interest and the 'wider Pendragon Group' means Pendragon and its subsidiary undertakings, associated undertakings and any other undertaking in which Pendragon and such undertakings (aggregating their interests) have a significant interest and, for these purposes, 'subsidiary undertaking', 'associated undertaking' and 'undertaking' have the meanings given by the Act (but for this purpose ignoring paragraph 20(1)(b) of Schedule 4A of the Act) and 'significant interest' means a direct or indirect interest in, in aggregate, 10 per cent. or more of the equity capital of an undertaking. Pendragon reserves the right to waive all or any of the above conditions, in whole or in part, except conditions (a) and (b). Pendragon shall be under no obligation to waive or treat as fulfilled any of conditions (c) to (h) inclusive by a date earlier than specified below notwithstanding that any of the other conditions of the Offer may at such earlier date have been fulfilled or waived and/or that there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating that any of such conditions may not be capable of fulfilment. If Pendragon is required by the Panel to make an offer for the Reg Vardy Shares under Rule 9 of the Code, Pendragon may make such alterations to the above conditions, including, without limitation, condition (a), as are necessary to comply with the provisions of that Rule. Unless the Panel otherwise agrees, the Offer will lapse unless the conditions set out above (other than condition (a)) are fulfilled or (if capable of waiver) waived or, where appropriate, have been determined by Pendragon in its reasonable opinion to be or to remain satisfied no later than 21 days after the later of (i) the First Closing Date and (ii) the date on which the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances, or such later date as the Panel may agree. The Offer will lapse if the Acquisition is referred to the Competition Commission in the UK before 3.00 p.m. on the later of the First Closing Date and the date on which the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances. If the Offer lapses, the Offer will cease to be capable of further acceptance and accepting Reg Vardy Shareholders and Pendragon will cease to be bound by Forms of Acceptance submitted on or before the time when the Offer lapses. PART B: CERTAIN FURTHER TERMS OF THE OFFER The Offer will be made on the terms and will be subject to the conditions which are set out in this Appendix I, those terms which will be set out in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance and such further terms as may be required to comply with the provisions of the City Code. The Offer and any acceptance of the Offer will be governed by English law. This announcement does not constitute an offer or invitation or purchase any securities. The Reg Vardy Shares will be acquired by Pendragon fully paid up and free from all liens, equitable interests, charges, encumbrances, rights of pre-emption and other third party rights or interests and together with all rights now or hereafter attaching thereto, including the right to receive and retain all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or after the date on which the Offer is made. The Offer is not being and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission, electronic mail, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facilities of a national securities exchange of the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan and the Offer will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility, directly or indirectly from or within the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any other documents related to the Offer are not being, and must not be, mailed or otherwise distributed or sent in or into or from the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan and persons receiving this announcement, the Form of Acceptance or such other documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not distribute or send them in, or into or from, the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. Appendix II Additional information 1. Inducement Fee Pursuant to a letter dated 2 December 2005 from Pendragon to Reg Vardy and in consideration of Pendragon making the Offer, it was agreed that an inducement fee of £4.55 million would be payable by Reg Vardy to Pendragon in the event that Pendragon announced an intention to make the Offer and: (a) such Offer is not then made or, if made, lapses or is withdrawn following the announcement of an independent competing offer, with or without pre-conditions, which becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects or is otherwise completed or implemented; or (b) such Offer is not then made or, if made, lapses or is withdrawn following the directors of Reg Vardy (or any of such directors) or any committee thereof, having withdrawn or modified, in any manner which could reasonably be considered to be adverse to Pendragon or to the success or likely success of the Offer, their recommendation to accept or vote in favour of the Offer, or approving or recommending the acceptance of any independent competing offer; or (c) the Panel finds that there has been a breach of Rule 21 of the City Code. 2. Interest in Reg Vardy Shares As at 2 December 2005, save for the 15,291,007 Reg Vardy Shares in respect of which Pendragon has received irrevocable undertakings to accept (or procure the acceptance of) the Offer, neither Pendragon nor any of the Pendragon Directors nor, as far as Pendragon is aware, any person acting in concert with Pendragon, has any interest in or right to subscribe for Reg Vardy Shares or has any short position (including any short positions under a derivative, any agreement to sell or any delivery obligation or right to require another person to take delivery) in Reg Vardy Shares or has borrowed or lent any Reg Vardy Shares (save for any borrowed shares which have either been on-lent or sold). 3. Undertakings Irrevocable undertakings to accept the Offer have been given by the Reg Vardy Directors and persons connected with them in respect of the following holdings of Reg Vardy Shares: Reg Vardy Directors and connected persons Number of Reg Vardy Shares J. F. Standen 10,000 Sir Peter Vardy 9,348,111 R. T. Forrester 8,057 N. Hood 4,000 W. M. Teasdale 4,000 Sir Peter Vardy & Richard Vardy* 990,000 Sir Peter Vardy & Lady Margaret Vardy* 116,918 Sir Peter Vardy, Lady Margaret Vardy, Richard Vardy & Peter David Vardy* 2,740,740 Sir Peter Vardy & Richard Vardy* 7,200 Ogier Trustee (Jersey) Limited * 2,046,187 Peter David Vardy 5,268 Richard Angus Vardy 5,258 Victoria Vardy 5,268 * Held as trustees. These irrevocable undertakings will lapse only in the event of the Offer lapsing or being withdrawn. 4. General Unless otherwise stated, financial information relating to Pendragon has been extracted from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Pendragon Group for the financial year ended 31 December 2004 and the unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2005. Unless otherwise stated, financial information relating to Reg Vardy has been extracted from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Reg Vardy Group for the financial year ended 30 April 2005. 5. Share prices The closing middle market prices of Reg Vardy Shares have been derived from the Daily Official List. 6. Value of the Offer References to the value of the Offer for the whole of the issued share capital of Reg Vardy are based on 56,252,898 Reg Vardy Shares in issue as at 2 December 2005 and 800 pence for each Reg Vardy Share. Appendix III Definitions The following definitions apply throughout this document, unless the context requires otherwise: 'Acquisition' the proposed acquisition by Pendragon of Reg Vardy under the terms of the Offer 'Act' the Companies Act 1985 (as amended) 'Australia' The Commonwealth of Australia, its states, territories and possessions 'Block Exemption' the European Commission Block Exemption rules (Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1400/2002) 'Canada' Canada, its provinces and territories and all areas subject to its jurisdiction and any political sub-divisions thereof 'CD Bramall' CD Bramall plc 'Citigroup' Citigroup Global Markets Limited 'City Code' or 'Code' the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers 'Closing Price' the middle-market quotation of a Reg Vardy Share at the close of business on a particular trading day, as derived from the Daily Official List 'Daily Official List' the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange 'Dresdner Kleinwort Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Limited Wasserstein' 'Enlarged Pendragon Group' the Pendragon Group as enlarged by the Acquisition 'Extraordinary General the extraordinary general meeting of Pendragon to approve, inter alia, the Meeting' proposed acquisition by Pendragon of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Reg Vardy under the terms of the Offer 'First Closing Date' the first closing date of the Offer 'Form of Acceptance' the form of acceptance and authority relating to the Offer which will accompany the Offer Document 'FSMA' the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended 'IFRS' International Financial Reporting Standards adopted for use in the European Union 'Japan' Japan, its cities and prefectures, territories and possessions 'LIBOR' the London Inter Bank Offered Rate 'Listing Rules' the Listing Rules made by the UK Listing Authority under section 73A of FSMA 'London Stock Exchange' London Stock Exchange plc 'Offer' the recommended cash offer to be made by Citigroup on behalf of Pendragon to acquire all of the issued and to be issued Reg Vardy Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance and including, where the context so permits, any subsequent revision, variation, extension or renewal of such offer 'Offer Document' the offer document to be issued to Reg Vardy Shareholders detailing the terms and conditions of the Offer 'Offer Price' 800 pence per Reg Vardy Share 'Panel' the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers 'Pendragon' or 'Company' or Pendragon PLC 'Offeror' 'Pendragon Directors' or the directors of Pendragon 'Pendragon Board' 'Pendragon Group' Pendragon and its subsidiary undertakings 'Pendragon Shareholders' holders of Pendragon Shares 'Pendragon Shares' the ordinary shares of 25 pence each in the capital of Pendragon 'Reg Vardy' Reg Vardy plc 'Reg Vardy Directors' or the directors of Reg Vardy 'Reg Vardy Board' 'Reg Vardy Group' Reg Vardy and its subsidiary undertakings 'Reg Vardy Option Holders' holders of Reg Vardy Options 'Reg Vardy Options' options granted under the Reg Vardy Share Option Schemes 'Reg Vardy Share Option the Reg Vardy 1996 Company Share Option Scheme and the Reg Vardy 1996 Schemes' Unapproved Share Option Scheme 'Reg Vardy Shareholders' holders of Reg Vardy Shares 'Reg Vardy Shares' the existing unconditionally allotted or issued and fully paid ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the capital of Reg Vardy and any further ordinary shares which are unconditionally allotted or issued on or prior to the date on which the Offer closes (or such earlier date or dates as Pendragon may, subject to the Code or with the consent of the Panel, decide) 'UK GAAP' generally accepted accounting principles applied in the United Kingdom 'UK Listing Authority' the Financial Services Authority acting in its capacity as the competent authority for the purposes of Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 'UK' or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 'United Kingdom' 'US' or 'United States' the United States of America, including the states of the United States and the District of Columbia, its territories and possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction The terms 'subsidiary' and 'subsidiary undertaking' as used in these definitions shall have the meanings given by the Act. 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