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Response to Announcement by Bellway p.l.c.

In brief · summary, not quotable

Crest Nicholson rejects Bellway's revised all-share takeover proposal valuing the company at 253 pence per share.

  • Implied offer value per share 253 pence (prior 213 pence (close 13 June 2024))
  • Premium to closing price 18.8%
  • Exchange ratio 0.093 Bellway shares per Crest share
  • Crest Nicholson ownership in combined entity approximately 17.1%
  • Bellway share price (13 June 2024) 2,718 pence
Full announcement

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THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A POSSIBLE OFFER UNDER RULE 2.4 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE") AND IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE CODE. THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT A FIRM OFFER WILL BE MADE.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

Crest Nicholson Holdings plc ("Crest Nicholson")

Response to possible offer announcement by Bellway p.l.c. ("Bellway")

The Board of Crest Nicholson notes the announcement made by Bellway p.l.c. ("Bellway") on 13 June 2024 and confirms that on 7 May 2024 it received a revised unsolicited preliminary proposal from Bellway in relation to a possible all-share offer for Crest Nicholson (the "Revised Proposal").

Under the terms of the Revised Proposal, for each Crest Nicholson share owned, Crest Nicholson's shareholders would receive 0.093 new ordinary shares in Bellway. The Revised Proposal implied Crest Nicholson's shareholders would own approximately 17.1 per cent. of the combined entity.

Based on the Bellway share price of 2,718 pence as at close of business on 13 June 2024, the Revised Proposal represents an implied value of 253 pence per Crest Nicholson share, which represents a premium of approximately 18.8 per cent. to the Crest Nicholson share price of 213 pence as at close of business on 13 June 2024 and a premium of approximately 10.5 per cent. based on the 1-month volume weighted average share price of 229 pence per Crest Nicholson share.

The Board of Crest Nicholson evaluated the Revised Proposal with its financial advisers and concluded that it significantly undervalued Crest Nicholson and its future standalone prospects and was not in the best interests of Crest Nicholson's shareholders. The Board therefore unanimously rejected the Revised Proposal on 14 May 2024.

The Revised Proposal follows an earlier unsolicited approach from Bellway on 25 April 2024 regarding a possible all-share offer for Crest Nicholson (the "Initial Proposal") under which Crest Nicholson's shareholders would receive 0.089 new ordinary shares in Bellway. The Initial Proposal was also unanimously rejected by the Board of Crest Nicholson on 2 May 2024, having concluded it fundamentally undervalued Crest Nicholson and its future prospects.

As outlined in its half year results on 13 June 2024 for the period ended 30 April 2024, Crest Nicholson remains confident in its standalone prospects, in particular given conclusion of the review of provisions for completed development sites supported by external consultants, its highly attractive land portfolio and the new leadership of Martyn Clark.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, Bellway is required, by not later than 5.00 p.m. (London time) on 11 July 2024, being 28 days after 13 June 2024, the date of the announcement made by Bellway publishing details of the Revised Proposal, either to announce a firm intention to make an offer for Crest Nicholson in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or to announce that it does not intend to make an offer for Crest Nicholson, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline can only be extended with the consent of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.

This announcement has been made without the consent of Bellway.

Notice related to financial adviser

In accordance with the Code, normal United Kingdom market practice and Rule 14e-5(b) of the Exchange Act, Barclays and its affiliates will continue to act as exempt principal trader in Crest Nicholson securities on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases and activities by exempt principal traders which are required to be made public in the United Kingdom pursuant to the Code will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com. This information will also be publicly disclosed in the United States to the extent that such information is made public in the United Kingdom.

Rule 2.9 information

Rule 26.1 disclosure

Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.

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