Foresight Solar Fund Limited : Proposed Tap Iss...
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDIX, IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO U.S. PERSONS, OR IN OR INTO, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR INTO ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OR BREACH OF ANY APPLICABLE LAW. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO CONTAIN INSIDE INFORMATION.
Foresight Solar Fund Limited: Proposed Tap Issuance
The Board of Foresight Solar Fund Limited (the "Company") is pleased to announce a proposed tap issuance of up to 30,995,537 ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (the "New Shares"), representing approximately 9.99 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital at an issuance price of 103.00 pence per New Share (the "Tap Issuance").
Foresight Group CI Limited (the "Investment Manager") believes the UK solar market remains attractive, particularly given the recent recovery and positive momentum in UK wholesale power prices. As detailed in the Company's interim results released on 15 August 2016, the Investment Manager has identified an attractive pipeline of over 200MW to support the growth of the Company over the next twelve months. From this pipeline, the Company has entered into exclusivity/binding agreements to purchase operational, fully accredited UK solar assets totaling 82MW which it expects to acquire before the year end. The assets under exclusivity are a combination of 1.4 and 1.3 ROC assets.
The net proceeds of the proposed Tap Issuance will enable the Company to take advantage of these and other investment opportunities as and when they become available.
The Tap Issuance is being conducted, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, through a bookbuild process which will be launched immediately following this announcement. Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited ("Stifel") and J.P. Morgan Securities plc, which carries on its UK investment banking activities as J.P. Morgan Cazenove ("J.P. Morgan Cazenove"), are acting as joint bookrunners in connection with the Tap Issuance. Members of the public are not entitled to participate in the Tap Issuance.
The Tap Issuance is being effected pursuant to the authority granted at the Company's General Meeting on 18 October 2016, permitting the allotment of up to 30,995,537 ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (the "Ordinary Shares") on a non pre-emptive basis. The Tap Issuance price of 103.00 pence per New Share is equal to the NAV per Ordinary Share of 100.7 pence as at 30 September 2016 plus an estimate of accrued income attributable to the Company since this date, plus a premium to cover issuance costs.
The New Shares will, when issued, be fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares, including in respect of the right to receive all future dividends and distributions declared, made or paid by reference to a record date falling after their issue, including without limitation an entitlement to the third quarterly dividend of 1.54 pence in respect of the period from 1 July to 30 September 2016, which was approved by the Directors on 18 October 2016 and will be paid on 31 December 2016.
The Company will apply for admission of the New Shares to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") and to trading on the main market for listed securities of London Stock Exchange plc (the "London Stock Exchange") ("Admission"). It is expected that settlement of subscriptions in respect of the New Shares and Admission will take place and that trading in the New Shares will commence at 8.00am (London Time) on Friday 28 October.
The Tap Issuance is conditional upon, inter alia, Admission becoming effective not later than 8.00am on Friday 28 October (or such later date as Stifel and J.P. Morgan Cazenove may agree with the Company and the Investment Manager) and the Placing Agreement dated 19 October 2016 among the Company, the Investment Manager, Stifel and J.P. Morgan Cazenove (the "Placing Agreement") becoming unconditional and not being terminated in accordance with its terms. Further details of the Placing Agreement can be found in the terms and conditions of the Tap Issuance set out in the Appendix to this announcement (which forms part of this announcement) (the "Terms and Conditions").
By choosing to participate in the Tap Issuance and by making an oral and legally binding offer to subscribe for New Shares, investors will be deemed to have read and understood this announcement (including the Appendix), in its entirety and to be making such offer on the terms and subject to the conditions in this announcement, and to be providing the representations, warranties and acknowledgements contained in the Appendix.
Your attention is drawn to the detailed Terms and Conditions of the Tap Issuance set out in the Appendix to this announcement.
Alex Ohlsson, Chairman of the Company, said, "The recent upward movements in wholesale power prices have been positive for the sector, and the Company has identified an attractive pipeline of assets that will support the growth of the Company over the next 12 months. Having secured exclusivity over an 82MW operational portfolio, additional funds raised can be deployed quickly into income generating assets thereby avoiding the impact of cash drag on investors."
Tap Issuance Timetable
The timetable is subject to change at the discretion of the Company, Stifel and J.P. Morgan Cazenove. The decision to allot any New Shares to placees pursuant to the Tap Issuance shall be at the discretion of the Company, Stifel and J.P. Morgan Cazenove.
| Tap Issuance opens | Immediately upon release of this announcement on Wednesday 19 October 2016 |
| Latest time and date for receipt of Tap Issuance commitments | 01:00pm on Tuesday 25 October 2016 |
| Results of Tap Issuance announced and Trade Date | Wednesday 26 October 2016 |
| Settlement (T+2) | Friday 28 October 2016 |
For further information, please contact:
Foresight Group
Elena Palasmith epalasmith@foresightgroup.eu +44 (0)20 3667 8100
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Joint Bookrunner) +44 (0)20 7710 7600
Mark Bloomfield
Neil Winward
Tunga Chigovanyika
J.P. Morgan Cazenove (Joint Bookrunner) +44 (0)20 7742 4000
William Simmonds
Disclaimer
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014). Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
This announcement, including the Appendix, and the information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in, into or within the United States (including its territories and possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia), Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa, or any other jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of the relevant laws or regulations of such jurisdiction.
This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer or or any solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa.
The securities referred to herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act") or the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in or into the United States or to or for the account or benefit of any U.S. Person (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act). There will be no public offer of securities in the United States or elsewhere.
The New Shares have not been and will not be registered under the applicable securities laws of Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa. There will be no public offering of the New Shares in Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or elsewhere.
This announcement, including the Appendix, has been issued by, and is the sole responsibility, of the Company. This announcement is not an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction, nor is it a prospectus for the purposes of Directive 2003/71/EC as amended (including amendments by Directive 2010/73/EU, to the extent implemented in the relevant member state) (the "Prospectus Directive"). No prospectus has been or will be prepared or made available in connection with the matters contained in this announcement and no such prospectus is required under the Prospectus Directive to be published in connection with the Tap Issuance. Investors should not subscribe for or purchase any securities referred to in this announcement except on the basis of information about the Company that is publicly available.
This announcement is not an invitation nor is it intended to be an inducement to engage in investment activity for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) of the United Kingdom ("FSMA"). To the extent that this announcement does constitute an inducement to engage in any investment activity included within this announcement, it is directed at and is only being distributed to: (A) persons in member states of the European Economic Area who are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive, (B) if in the United Kingdom, persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or are high net worth companies, unincorporated associations or partnerships or trustees of high value trusts as described in Article 49(2) of the Order and (ii) are "qualified investors" as defined in section 86 of FSMA and (C) otherwise, to persons to whom it may otherwise be lawful to communicate it to (each a "Relevant Person"). No other person should act or rely on this announcement and persons distributing this announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. By accepting the terms of this announcement you represent and agree that you are a Relevant Person.
Stifel, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for the Company and is acting for no-one else in connection with the Tap Issuance or the matters described in this announcement and the contents of this announcement, will not regard any other person as their respective client in relation to the Tap Issuance and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Stifel nor for providing advice in connection with the Tap Issuance and the contents of this announcement or any other transaction, arrangement or matter referred to herein.
J.P. Morgan Securities plc, which conducts its UK investment banking activities as J.P. Morgan Cazenove, and which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for the Company and no-one else in connection with the Tap Issuance or the matters described in this announcement and the contents of this announcement, will not regard any other person as their respective client in relation to the Tap Issuance and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan Cazenove nor for providing advice in connection with the Tap Issuance and the contents of this announcement or any other transaction, arrangement or matter referred to herein.
Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Stifel and J.P. Morgan Cazenove by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended or the regulatory regime established thereunder, neither Stifel nor J.P. Morgan Cazenove accepts any responsibility whatsoever, and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, in relation to the contents of this announcement, including its accuracy, completeness or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it or on behalf of it, the Company, its directors or any other person, in connection with the Company, the Tap Issuance or the New Shares, and nothing in this announcement shall be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or the future. Each of Stifel and J.P. Morgan Cazenove accordingly disclaims all and any liability whatsoever, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above), which it might otherwise have in respect of this Announcement or any such statement.
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements which are based on the Company's expectations, intentions and projections regarding its future performance, anticipated events or trends and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements, which may use words such as "aim", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "expect" and words of similar meaning, include all matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, dividend policy and the development of the industries in which the Company's businesses operate to differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of such statements and, except as required by the Financial Conduct Authority, London Stock Exchange plc or applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
No statement in this announcement is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of the Company. The New Shares and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested on disposal of the New Shares.
The New Shares to be issued pursuant to the Tap Issuance will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the London Stock Exchange.
Neither the content of the Company's website (or any other website) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.
APPENDIX
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TAP ISSUANCE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PLACEES ONLY
REGARDING THE TAP ISSUANCE
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE TAP ISSUANCE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT IN THIS APPENDIX ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT: (A) PERSONS IN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA ("EEA") WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(1)(E) OF EU DIRECTIVE 2003/71/EC AND AMENDMENTS THERETO (THE "PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE") ("QUALIFIED INVESTORS") AND (B) IF IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, PERSONS WHO (I) HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS WHO FALL WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF "INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS" IN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (THE "ORDER"), OR ARE HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS OR PARTNERSHIPS OR TRUSTEES OF HIGH VALUE TRUSTS AS DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 49(2) OF THE ORDER AND (II) ARE "QUALIFIED INVESTORS" AS DEFINED IN SECTION 86 OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 ("FSMA") AND (C) OTHERWISE, TO PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFUL TO COMMUNICATE IT TO (EACH A "RELEVANT PERSON"). NO OTHER PERSON SHOULD ACT OR RELY ON THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO. BY ACCEPTING THE TERMS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT YOU REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT YOU ARE A RELEVANT PERSON. THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN RELATE IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. THIS APPENDIX DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY.
THE NEW SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE US SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "US SECURITIES ACT''), OR UNDER THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TAKEN UP, RESOLD, TRANSFERRED OR DELIVERED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY WITHIN, INTO OR IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE US SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY RELEVANT STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC OFFER OF THE NEW SHARES IN THE UNITED STATES.
EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS, FINANCIAL AND RELATED ASPECTS OF A SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE NEW SHARES.
Persons who are invited to and who choose to participate in the Tap Issuance, by making an oral or written offer to subscribe for New Shares, including any individuals, funds or others on whose behalf a commitment to subscribe for New Shares is given ("Placees"), will be deemed to have read and understood this announcement in its entirety and to be making such offer on the terms and conditions, and to be providing the representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings, contained in this Appendix. In particular each such Placee represents, warrants and acknowledges that:
(a) it is a Relevant Person (as defined above) and undertakes that it will subscribe for, hold, manage or dispose of any New Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business; and
(b) if it is in a member state of the EEA and/or if it is a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, that any New Shares subscribed for by it in the Tap Issuance will not be subscribed for on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor will they be subscribed for with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any member state of the EEA in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of securities to the public other than an offer or resale in a member state of the EEA which has implemented the Prospectus Directive to Qualified Investors (as defined above), or in circumstances in which the prior consent of Stifel and J.P. Morgan Cazenove has been given to each such proposed offer or resale.
Neither Stifel nor J.P. Morgan Cazenove (the "Joint Bookrunners") makes any representation to any Placees regarding an investment in the New Shares.
Details of the Placing Agreement and of the New Shares
The Joint Bookrunners, the Company and the Investment Manager have today entered into a placing agreement (the "Placing Agreement") under which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out therein, the Joint Bookrunners have agreed, as agent for and on behalf of the Company, to use reasonable endeavours to procure placees (the "Placees") for up to 30,995,537 New Shares at a price to be determined following completion of a bookbuild process (the "Tap Issuance").
The New Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (the "Ordinary Shares"), including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid in respect of the Ordinary Shares after the date of admission of the New Shares, including the third quarterly dividend of 1.54 pence in respect of the period from 1 July to 30 September 2016, which was approved by the Directors on 18 October 2016 and will be paid on 31 December 2016.
Applications for listing and admission to trading
Applications will be made to the FCA for admission of the New Shares to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority (the "Official List") and to London Stock Exchange plc (the "London Stock Exchange") for admission of the New Shares to trading on its main market for listed securities (together, "Admission"). It is expected that Admission will become effective on or around 8.00 a.m. on Friday 28 October and that dealings in the New Shares will commence at that time.
Bookbuild
The Joint Bookrunners will today commence the bookbuilding process for participation in the Tap Issuance by Placees (the "Bookbuild"). This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Tap Issuance. No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any New Shares.
The Joint Bookrunners shall be entitled to effect the Tap Issuance by such alternative method to the Bookbuild as they may, in their absolute discretion following consultation with the Company and the Investment Manager, determine.
Participation in, and principal terms of, the Tap Issuance
1. Each of Stifel and J.P. Morgan Cazenove is acting as a bookrunner and agent of the Company in connection with the Tap Issuance.
2. Participation in the Tap Issuance will only be available to persons who may lawfully be, and are, invited to participate by the Joint Bookrunners. The Joint Bookrunners and their respective affiliates are entitled to enter bids in the Bookbuild as principal.
3. A single price of 103.00 pence per New Share shall be payable to the Joint Bookrunners as agent for the Company by all Placees whose bids are successful (the "Placing Price"). The results of the Tap Issuance will be announced on a Regulatory Information Service ("RIS") following the completion of the Bookbuild (the "Placing Results Announcement").
4. To bid in the Bookbuild, prospective Placees should communicate their bid by telephone to their usual sales contact at one of the Joint Bookrunners. Each bid should state the number of New Shares which the prospective Placee wishes to subscribe for at the Placing Price. Bids may be scaled down by the Joint Bookrunners on the basis referred to in paragraph 8 below.
5. A bid in the Bookbuild will be made on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Appendix and will be legally binding on the Placee on behalf of which it is made and except with the Joint Bookrunners' consent will not be capable of variation or revocation after the time at which it is submitted. Each Placee's obligations will be owed to the Company and the Joint Bookrunners. Each Placee will also have an immediate, separate, irrevocable and binding obligation, owed to the Joint Bookrunners as agents of the Company, to pay in cleared funds immediately on the settlement date, in accordance with the registration and settlement requirements set out below, an amount equal to the product of the Placing Price and the number of New Shares such Placee has agreed to subscribe for and the Company has agreed to allot.
6. The Bookbuild is expected to close no later than 01:00pm (London time) on Tuesday 25 October 2016, but may be closed earlier or later at the discretion of the Joint Bookrunners. The Joint Bookrunners may, in agreement with the Company and the Investment Manager, accept bids that are received after the Bookbuild has closed.
7. Each prospective Placee's allocation will be agreed between the Joint Bookrunners (in consultation with the Company and the Investment Manager) and will be confirmed orally by either of the Joint Bookrunners (as agent for the Company) following the close of the Bookbuild and a trade confirmation will be despatched thereafter. This oral confirmation to such Placee will constitute an irrevocable legally binding commitment upon that person (who will at that point become a Placee) in favour of the Bookrunners and the Company to subscribe for the number of New Shares allocated to it at the Placing Price on the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix and in accordance with the Company's articles of association. All obligations under the Bookbuild and Tap Issuance will be subject to fulfilment of the conditions referred to below under "Conditions of the Tap Issuance" and to the Tap Issuance not being terminated on the basis referred to below under "Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement". By participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee will agree that its rights and obligations in respect of the Tap Issuance will terminate only in the circumstances described below and will not be capable of rescission or termination by the Placee.
8. The Joint Bookrunners may choose to accept bids, either in whole or in part, on the basis of allocations determined in agreement with the Company and may scale down any bids for this purpose on such basis as they may determine. The Joint Bookrunners may also, notwithstanding paragraphs 4 and 5 above and subject to prior consent of the Company (i) allocate New Shares after the time of any initial allocation to any person submitting a bid after that time and (ii) allocate New Shares after the Bookbuild has closed to any person submitting a bid after that time. The Company reserves the right (upon agreement with the Bookrunners) to reduce or seek to increase the amount to be raised pursuant to the Tap Issuance, in its absolute discretion.
9. Irrespective of the time at which a Placee's allocation pursuant to the Tap Issuance is confirmed, settlement for all New Shares to be subscribed for pursuant to the Tap Issuance will be required to be made at the same time, on the basis explained below under "Registration and settlement".
10. Except as required by law or regulation, no press release or other announcement will be made by the Joint Bookrunners or the Company using the name of any Placee (or its agent), in its capacity as Placee (or agent), other than with such Placee's prior written consent.
11. To the fullest extent permissible by law, neither of the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any responsibility or liability to Placees (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise). In particular, neither of the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any liability (including to the fullest extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) in respect of the conduct of the Bookbuild or of such alternative method of effecting the Tap Issuance as the Joint Bookrunners and the Company may agree.
Conditions of the Tap Issuance
The Tap Issuance is conditional upon the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms. The obligations of the Joint Bookrunners under the Placing Agreement in respect of the New Shares is conditional on, inter alia:
(a) agreement being reached between the Company and the Joint Bookrunners on the number of New Shares to be issued pursuant to the Tap Issuance;
(b) none of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Investment Manager contained in the Placing Agreement being untrue and inaccurate or misleading (in the good faith opinion of the Joint Bookrunners) on the date of the Placing Agreement and at all times before Admission by reference to the facts and circumstances then subsisting, in each case in a manner, or to an extent, which is material;
(c) each of the Company and the Investment Manager complying with its obligations under the Placing Agreement to the extent the same fall to be performed prior to Admission;
(d) the Company allotting, subject only to Admission, the New Shares to the Placees in accordance with the Placing Agreement; and
(e) Admission taking place by not later than 8.00 a.m. (London time) on Friday 28 October 2016.
If (i) any of the conditions contained in the Placing Agreement, including those described above, are not fulfilled (or, where permitted, waived or extended in writing by the Joint Bookrunners or have become incapable of fulfilment on or before the date or time specified for the fulfilment thereof (or such later date and/or time as the Joint Bookrunners may agree), or (ii) the Placing Agreement is terminated in the circumstances specified below, the Tap Issuance will not proceed and the Placees' rights and obligations hereunder in relation to the New Shares shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by the Placee in respect thereof. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments as set out in this announcement.
Neither of the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision they may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or the date for the satisfaction of any condition to the Tap Issuance nor for any decision they may make as to the satisfaction of any condition or in respect of the Tap Issuance generally, and by participating in the Tap Issuance each Placee agrees that any such decision is within the absolute discretion of the Joint Bookrunners.
Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement
At any time before Admission, the Joint Bookrunners are entitled to terminate the Placing Agreement by giving notice in writing to the Company and the Investment Manager if, amongst other things, in their opinion (acting in good faith and following consultation with the Company to the extent practicable) (i) any of the Company's or the Investment Manager's warranties or representations contained in the Placing Agreement are not or cease to be true and accurate or have become misleading, in each case in a manner, or to an extent, which is material in the good faith opinion of the Joint Bookrunners; or (ii) there is a material breach by the Company or the Investment Manager of their respective obligations under the Placing Agreement; or (iii) there has been a material adverse change in the condition, financial, operational or otherwise, or in the earnings, management, business affairs, business prospects or financial prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, or the Investment Manager and its subsidiaries, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, since the date of the Placing Agreement; or (iv) the occurrence of a force majeure or market disruption event as specified in the Placing Agreement which is of such severity or magnitude as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the Tap Issuance or which the Joint Bookrunners consider to be material.
Upon such notice being given, the parties to the Placing Agreement shall be released and discharged (except for any liability arising before or in relation to such termination) from their respective obligations under or pursuant to the Placing Agreement, subject to certain exceptions.
By participating in the Tap Issuance, Placees agree that the exercise by the Joint Bookrunners of any right of termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within their absolute discretion and that they do not need to make any reference to Placees and that the Joint Bookrunners shall not have any liability to Placees whatsoever in connection with any such exercise or failure so to exercise.
No Prospectus
No offering document or prospectus has been or will be submitted to be approved by the FCA or submitted to the London Stock Exchange in relation to the Tap Issuance and no such prospectus is required (in accordance with the Prospectus Directive) to be published and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in this announcement (including this Appendix) released by the Company today and any information publicly announced to a RIS by or on behalf of the Company on or prior to the date of this announcement and subject to the further terms set forth in the contract note to be provided to individual prospective Placees.
Each Placee, by accepting a participation in the Tap Issuance, agrees that the content of this announcement (including this Appendix) is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and confirms that it has neither received nor relied on any other information, representation, warranty, or statement made by or on behalf of the Company, the Investment Manager or either of the Joint Bookrunners or any other person and none of the Company, the Investment Manager, either of the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates will be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Tap Issuance based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement which the Placees may have obtained or received. Each Placee acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company and the Investment Manager in accepting a participation in the Tap Issuance. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude or limit the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation by that person.
Registration and settlement
Settlement of transactions in the New Shares following Admission will take place within the system administered by Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited ("CREST"), subject to certain exceptions. The Joint Bookrunners and the Company reserve the right to require settlement for and delivery of the New Shares (or a portion thereof) to Placees in certificated form if delivery or settlement is not possible or practicable within the CREST system or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in the Placee's jurisdiction.
Following the close of the Bookbuild for the Tap Issuance, each Placee allocated New Shares in the Tap Issuance will be sent a contract note stating the number of New Shares to be allocated to it at the Placing Price and settlement instructions. Each Placee agrees that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed in accordance with the standing CREST or certificated settlement instructions that it has in place with the Joint Bookrunners.
The Company will deliver the New Shares to a CREST account operated by Stifel as the Company's agent and Friday 28 October 2016 will enter its delivery (DEL) instruction into the CREST system. The input to CREST by a Placee of a matching or acceptance instruction will then allow delivery of the relevant New Shares to that Placee against payment.
It is expected that settlement will be on 28 October 2016 on a delivery versus payment basis in accordance with the instructions set out in the trade confirmation.
Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date in accordance with the arrangements set out above at the rate of two percentage points above LIBOR as determined by the Joint Bookrunners.
Each Placee is deemed to agree that, if it does not comply with these obligations, the Joint Bookrunners (as agent for the Company) may sell any or all of the New Shares allocated to that Placee on such Placee's behalf and retain from the proceeds, for the Company's account and benefit, an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due. The relevant Placee will, however, remain liable for any shortfall below the aggregate amount owed by it and may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties) or other similar taxes imposed in any jurisdiction which may arise upon the sale of such New Shares on such Placee's behalf.
If New Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees should ensure that the trade confirmation is copied and delivered immediately to the relevant person within that organisation. Insofar as New Shares are registered in a Placee's name or that of its nominee or in the name of any person for whom a Placee is contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such New Shares should, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. Placees shall not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Tap Issuance.
Representations and warranties and further terms
By participating in the Tap Issuance, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) irrevocably acknowledges, confirms, undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees (as the case may be) with each of the Joint Bookrunners (in its capacity as a bookrunner and agent of the Company, in each case as a fundamental term of its application for New Shares), the following:
(a) it has read and understood this announcement, including this Appendix, in its entirety and that its acquisition of New Shares is subject to and based upon all the terms, conditions, representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings and other information contained herein and undertakes not to redistribute or duplicate this announcement;
(b) that no offering document or prospectus has been or will be prepared in connection with the Tap Issuance and it has not received and will not receive a prospectus or other offering document in connection with the Bookbuild, the Tap Issuance or the New Shares;
(c) the Tap Issuance does not constitute a recommendation or financial product advice and no Joint Bookrunner has had regard to its particular objectives, financial situation and needs;
(d) that the Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company are listed on the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and admitted to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, and that the Company is therefore required to publish certain business and financial information in accordance with the rules and practices of the FCA and that it is able to obtain or access such information, or comparable information concerning any other publicly traded company, in each case without undue difficulty;
(e) that none of the Company, the Investment Manager the Joint Bookrunners any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees or any person acting on behalf of any of them has provided, and none of them will provide, it with any material regarding the New Shares or the Company or any other person other than this announcement, nor has it requested either of the Joint Bookrunners, the Company, the Investment Manager, any of their respective affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them to provide it with any such information;
(f) unless otherwise specifically agreed with the Joint Bookrunners, that it is not, and at the time the New Shares are subscribed for, neither it nor the beneficial owner of the New Shares will be, a resident of Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa and further acknowledges that the New Shares have not been and will not be registered under the securities legislation of Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold, transferred, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into those jurisdictions;
(g) that it is not within the United States and will not be within the United States at the time that any buy order for New Shares is originated by it; (ii) is acquiring the New Shares in an "offshore transaction" as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act; and (iii) is not acquiring any of the New Shares as a result of any form of "directed selling efforts" (within the meaning of Regulation S under the US Securities Act);
(h) it is not within Australia, Canada, Japan South Africa or any other jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make or accept an offer to subscribe for the New Shares, and it will not offer or sell such New Shares into any such jurisdiction;
(i) that the content of this announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and that neither of the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees or any person acting on behalf of any of them has or shall have any liability for any information, representation or statement contained in this announcement or any information previously or subsequently published by or on behalf of the Company or the Investment Manager, including, without limitation, any information required to be published by the Company pursuant to applicable laws (the "Exchange Information") and will not be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Tap Issuance based on any information, representation or statement contained in this announcement or otherwise. Each Placee further represents, warrants and agrees that the only information on which it is entitled to rely and on which such Placee has relied in committing itself to subscribe for the New Shares is contained in this announcement and any information previously published by the Company by notification to a RIS, such information being all that it deems necessary to make an investment decision in respect of the New Shares and that it has neither received nor relied on any other information given or representations, warranties or statements made by either of the Joint Bookrunners, the Investment Manager or the Company and neither of the Joint Bookrunners, the Investment Manager or the Company will be liable for any Placee's decision to accept an invitation to participate in the Tap Issuance based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement. Each Placee further acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in deciding to participate in the Tap Issuance. None of the Company, the Investment Manager, the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates has made any representations to it, express or implied, with respect to the Company, the Investment Manager, the Tap Issuance and the New Shares or the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Exchange Information, and each of them expressly disclaims any liability in respect thereof. Nothing in this paragraph or otherwise in this announcement excludes the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation made by that person;
(j) that it has complied with its obligations under the Criminal Justice Act 1993 and all other applicable market abuse and insider dealing legislation and in connection with money laundering and terrorist financing under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Acts 2010 and 2013 of Ireland, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended), the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism Act 2006, the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 (the "Regulations") and the Money Laundering Sourcebook of the FCA and, if making payment on behalf of a third party, that satisfactory evidence has been obtained and recorded by it to verify the identity of the third party as required by the Regulations;
(k) that it is acting as principal only in respect of the Tap Issuance or, if it is acting for any other person: (i) it is duly authorised to do so and has full power to make the acknowledgments, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each such person; and (ii) it is and will remain liable to the Company and/or the Joint Bookrunners for the performance of all its obligations as a Placee in respect of the Tap Issuance (regardless of the fact that it is acting for another person);
(l) if a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, that the New Shares subscribed for by it in the Tap Issuance will not be subscribed for on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor will they be subscribed for with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in a member state of the EEA other than Qualified Investors, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners has been given to the proposed offer or resale;
(m) that it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any New Shares to the public in any member state of the EEA except in circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive which do not result in any requirement for the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of that Directive;
(n) that it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) relating to the New Shares in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not require approval of the communication by an authorised person;
(o) that it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the New Shares in, from or otherwise involving, the United Kingdom;
(p) if in a member state of the EEA, unless otherwise specifically agreed with the Joint Bookrunners in writing, that it is a Qualified Investor;
(q) if in the United Kingdom, that it is a person (i) having professional experience in matters relating to investments and who falls within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Order; or (ii) who is a high net worth entity falling within Article 49 of the Order; or (iii) to whom this announcement may otherwise lawfully be communicated;
(r) that no action has been or will be taken by either the Company, the Investment Manager or either of the Joint Bookrunners or any person acting on behalf of the Company, the Investment Manager or either of the Joint Bookrunners that would, or is intended to, permit a public offer of the New Shares in any country or jurisdiction where any such action for that purpose is required;
(s) that it and any person acting on its behalf is entitled to subscribe for the New Shares under the laws of all relevant jurisdictions which apply to it and that it has fully observed such laws and obtained all such governmental and other guarantees, permits, authorisations, approvals and consents which may be required thereunder and complied with all necessary formalities and that it has not taken any action or omitted to take any action which will or may result in either of the Joint Bookrunners, the Company, the Investment Manager or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or advisers acting in breach of the legal or regulatory requirements of any jurisdiction in connection with the Tap Issuance;
(t) that it has all necessary capacity and has obtained all necessary consents and authorities to enable it to commit to its participation in the Tap Issuance and to perform its obligations in relation thereto (including, without limitation, in the case of any person on whose behalf it is acting, all necessary consents and authorities to agree to the terms set out or referred to in this announcement) and will honour such obligations;
(u) that it (and any person acting on its behalf) will make payment for the New Shares allocated to it in accordance with this Appendix on the due time and date set out herein, failing which the relevant New Shares may be placed with other persons or sold as the Joint Bookrunners may in their absolute discretion determine and without liability to such Placee;
(v) that its allocation (if any) of New Shares will represent a maximum number of New Shares which it will be entitled, and required, to subscribe for, and that the Joint Bookrunners or the Company may call upon it to subscribe for a lower number of New Shares (if any), but in no event in aggregate more than the aforementioned maximum;
(w) that the person whom it specifies for registration as holder of the New Shares will be (i) itself or (ii) its nominee, as the case may be. None of the Company, the Investment Manager or either of the Joint Bookrunners will be responsible for any liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or other similar taxes resulting from a failure to observe this requirement. Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of such Placee agrees to indemnify the Company, the Investment Manager and each Joint Bookrunner in respect of the same on an after-tax basis on the basis that the New Shares will be allotted to the CREST stock account of Stifel who will hold them as nominee on behalf of such Placee until settlement in accordance with its standing settlement instructions;
(x) that neither of the Joint Bookrunners, any of their respective affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them, is making any recommendations to it or, advising it regarding the suitability of any transactions it may enter into in connection with the Tap Issuance and that participation in the Tap Issuance is on the basis that it is not and will not be a client of any Joint Bookrunner and that no Joint Bookrunner has any duties or responsibilities to it for providing the protections afforded to such Joint Bookrunner's respective clients or customers or for providing advice in relation to the Tap Issuance nor in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities contained in the Placing Agreement nor for the exercise or performance of any of its rights and obligations thereunder including any rights to waive or vary any conditions or exercise any termination right;
(y) that in making any decision to subscribe for the New Shares, it has knowledge and experience in financial, business and international investment matters as is required to evaluate the merits and risks of subscribing for the New Shares. It further confirms that it is experienced in investing in securities of this nature in this sector and is aware that it may be required to bear, and is able to bear, the economic risk of participating in, and is able to sustain a complete loss in connection with, the Tap Issuance. It further confirms that it relied on its own examination and due diligence of the Investment Manager, the Company and their respective associates taken as a whole, and the terms of the Tap Issuance, including the merits and risks involved, and not upon any view expressed or information provided by or on behalf of either of the Joint Bookrunners;
(z) that in connection with the Tap Issuance, a Joint Bookrunner and any of its affiliates acting as an investor for its own account may take up New Shares in the Company and in that capacity may subscribe for, retain, purchase or sell for its own account such Ordinary Shares in the Company and any securities of the Company or related investments and may offer or sell such securities or other investments otherwise than in connection with the Tap Issuance. Neither of the Joint Bookrunners intends to disclose the extent of any such investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation to do so;
(aa) that in making any decision to subscribe for the New Shares, it acknowledges that the Company has been established in Jersey as a listed fund under a fast-track authorisation process and is therefore only suitable for professional or experienced investors, or those who have taken appropriate professional advice. It further acknowledges that regulatory requirements which may be deemed necessary for the protection of retail or inexperienced investors, do not apply to listed funds and it accepts the reduced requirements accordingly;
(bb) that in making any decision to subscribe for the New Shares, it is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the Company are acceptable to it. It further acknowledges that investment in listed funds may involve special risks that could lead to a loss of all or a substantial portion of such investment. It further confirms that it fully understands and accepts the nature of the Company and the potential risks inherent in investing in the Company;
(cc) that these terms and conditions and any agreements entered into by it pursuant to these terms and conditions and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with such agreements shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and it submits (on behalf of itself and on behalf of any person on whose behalf it is acting) to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts as regards any claim, dispute or matter arising out of any such contract, except that enforcement proceedings in respect of the obligation to make payment for the New Shares (together with any interest chargeable thereon) may be taken by the Company or either of the Joint Bookrunners in any jurisdiction in which the relevant Placee is incorporated or in which any of its securities have a quotation on a recognised stock exchange;
(dd) that the Company, the Investment Manager, each of the Joint Bookrunners and their respective affiliates and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties and acknowledgements set forth herein and which are given to each Joint Bookrunner on its own behalf and on behalf of the Company and are irrevocable and it irrevocably authorises the Company and each of the Joint Bookrunners to produce this announcement, pursuant to, in connection with, or as may be required by any applicable law or regulation, administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters set forth herein;
(ee) that it will indemnify on an after-tax basis and hold the Company, the Investment Manager, each of the Joint Bookrunners and their respective affiliates harmless from any and all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising out of or in connection with any breach of the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings in this Appendix and further agrees that the provisions of this Appendix shall survive after completion of the Tap Issuance;
(ff) that it has neither received nor relied on any inside information concerning the Company in accepting the invitation to participate in the Tap Issuance; and
(gg) if it is a pension fund or investment company, its acquisition of New Shares is in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The foregoing representations, warranties and confirmations are given for the benefit of the Company, the Investment Manager and the Joint Bookrunners and are irrevocable. Each Placee, and any person acting on behalf of the Placee, acknowledges that none of the Company, the Investment Manager or either of the Joint Bookrunners owes any fiduciary or other duties to any Placee in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities in the Placing Agreement.
By participating in the Tap Issuance, each Placee (and any person acting on the Placee's behalf) subscribing for New Shares acknowledges that the New Shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act and that the New Shares are being offered and sold only in an "offshore transaction" within the meaning of and in reliance on Regulation S under the US Securities Act.
Please also note that the agreement to allot and issue New Shares to Placees (or the persons for whom Placees are contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax relates only to their allotment and issue to Placees, or such persons as they nominate as their agents, direct from the Company for the New Shares in question. Such agreement also assumes that the New Shares are not being subscribed for in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to issue or transfer the New Shares into a clearance service. If there are any such arrangements, or the settlement relates to any other dealing in the New Shares, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or other similar taxes may be payable, for which none of the Company, the Investment Manager or either of the Joint Bookrunners will be responsible and the Placees shall indemnify the Company, the Investment Manager and each of the Joint Bookrunners on an after-tax basis for any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax paid by them in respect of any such arrangements or dealings. If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and notify the Joint Bookrunners accordingly.
None of the Company, the Investment Manager or either of the Joint Bookrunners are liable to bear any transfer taxes that arise on a sale of New Shares subsequent to their acquisition by Placees or for transfer taxes arising otherwise than under the laws of the United Kingdom. Each Placee should, therefore, take its own advice as to whether any such transfer tax liability arises and notify the Joint Bookrunners accordingly. Furthermore, each Placee agrees to indemnify on an after-tax basis and hold each Joint Bookrunner, the Investment Manager and/or the Company and their respective affiliates harmless from any and all interest, fines or penalties in relation to stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax and all other similar duties or taxes to the extent that such interest, fines or penalties arise from the unreasonable default or delay of that Placee or its agent.
Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of each Placee acknowledges and agrees that the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates may, at their absolute discretion, agree to become a Placee in respect of some or all of the New Shares.
When a Placee or person acting on behalf of the Placee is dealing with the Joint Bookrunners, any money held in an account with any Joint Bookrunner on behalf of the Placee and/or any person acting on behalf of the Placee will not be treated as client money within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the FCA made under FSMA. The Placee acknowledges that the money will not be subject to the protections conferred by the client money rules; as a consequence, this money will not be segregated from such Joint Bookrunner's money in accordance with the client money rules and will be used by that Joint Bookrunner in the course of its own business; and the Placee will rank only as a general creditor of that Joint Bookrunner.
All times and dates in this announcement may be subject to amendment by the Joint Bookrunners (in their absolute discretion). The Joint Bookrunners shall notify the Placees and any person acting on behalf of the Placees of any changes.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Foresight Solar Fund Limited via Globenewswire
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