Naspers Limited: Results of the Sale by Naspers Limited of 22 Million N Ordinary Shares of Prosus N.V. Through an Accelerated Bookbuild Offering to Institutional Investors
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH OFFERS OR SALES WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAWs and REgulations.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN ANY JURISDICTION, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN. NEITHER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT NOR ANYTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL FORM THE BASIS OF, OR BE RELIED UPON IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY OFFER OR COMMITMENT WHATSOEVER IN ANY JURISDICTION.
Naspers Limited (JSE: NPN; LSE: NPSN) ("Naspers") has sold 22 million N ordinary shares (the "Prosus N Ordinary Shares") in Prosus N.V. ("Prosus"), corresponding to c. 1.4% of the issued Prosus N Ordinary Shares, at a price per Prosus N Ordinary Share of €67.50, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately €1.5 billion for Naspers. The sale was effected through an accelerated bookbuild offering to institutional investors (the "Placing"). Following the Placing, Naspers holds c. 72.5% of the issued Prosus ordinary shares.
Settlement of the Placing is expected to occur on 24 January 2020 (i.e., on a T+2 basis) on Euronext Amsterdam.
As part of the Placing and in line with market practice for placements of this nature, Naspers has agreed to a 90-day lock-up period with respect to its remaining interest in the Prosus N Ordinary Shares, subject to customary exceptions and an ability to waive by the Joint Global Coordinators.
None of the proceeds raised from the Placing will be received by Prosus, and all of the proceeds received by Naspers, net of expenses and costs, will be repatriated to South Africa as required by the South African Reserve Bank. Naspers intends to use these net proceeds over time to return capital to Naspers shareholders in the form of a share repurchase programme.
Cape Town, South Africa
22 January 2020
JSE sponsor
Investec Bank Limited
Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners
Citigroup Global Markets Limited
Goldman Sachs International
J.P. Morgan Securities plc
Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc
Legal advisers to Naspers
Allen & Overy LLP (as to Dutch, English and U.S. law)
Webber Wentzel (as to South African law)
Legal adviser to the Joint Global Coordinators
Linklaters LLP (as to Dutch, English and U.S. law)
IMPORTANT REGULATORY NOTICE
This announcement is not for publication, distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America ("United States" or "U.S.") (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia), or to U.S. persons as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act (as defined below), or into Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction where such an announcement would be unlawful. The distribution of this announcement may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession this document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or to U.S. persons as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Any offer or sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States will be made only to persons who are both “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and “qualified purchasers” as defined in the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Neither this document nor the information contained herein constitutes or forms part of an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States. There will be no public offer of any securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction.
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a "Member State"), no Prosus N Ordinary Shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the Placing to the public in that Member State, except that offers of Prosus N Ordinary Shares may be made to the public in that Member State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation: (a) to any legal entity which is a "qualified investor" as defined under the Prospectus Regulation (a "Qualified Investor"); (b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than Qualified Investors); or (c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, provided that no such offer of Prosus N Ordinary Shares shall require Naspers, Prosus or any Joint Global Coordinator to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to any Prosus N Ordinary Shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Prosus N Ordinary Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any Prosus N Ordinary Shares, and the expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
In the United Kingdom, this announcement is being distributed exclusively to, and is directed exclusively at Qualified Investors who are also: (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments falling 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 (ii) persons who are high net worth bodies corporate, unincorporated associations and partnerships and the trustees of high value trusts, as described in Article 49(2)(A) to (D) of the Order; or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise be lawful to distribute it.
In South Africa, the Placing will only be made by way of separate private placements to: (i) selected persons falling within one of the specified categories listed in Section 96(1)(a) of the South African Companies Act, 71 of 2008, as amended (the "South African Companies Act"); and (ii) selected persons, acting as principal, acquiring Prosus N Ordinary Shares for a total acquisition cost of R1,000,000 or more, as contemplated in Section 96(1)(b) of the South African Companies ("South African Qualifying Investors"). This announcement is only being made available to such South African Qualifying Investors. Accordingly: (i) the Placing is not an offer to the public as contemplated in the South African Companies Act; (ii) this announcement does not, nor does it intend to, constitute a "registered prospectus" or "advertisement", as contemplated by the South African Companies Act; and (iii) no prospectus has been filed with the South African Companies and Intellectual Property Commission ("CIPC") in respect of the Placing. As a result, this announcement does not comply with the substance and form requirements for a prospectus set out in the South African Companies Act and the South African Companies Regulations of 2011, and has not been approved by, and/or registered with, CIPC. The information contained in this announcement constitutes factual information as contemplated in Section 1(3)(a) of the South African Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 37 of 2002, as amended, (the "South African FAIS Act") and should not be construed as an express or implied recommendation, guide or proposal that any particular transaction in respect of the Naspers N Ordinary Shares or the Prosus N Ordinary Shares or in relation to the business or future investments of Naspers or Prosus is appropriate to the particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs of a prospective investor, and nothing in this announcement should be construed as constituting the canvassing for, or marketing or advertising of, financial services in South Africa. Neither Naspers nor Prosus is a financial services provider licensed as such under the South African FAIS Act.
This announcement is not an offer of securities or investments for sale, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities or investments in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. No action has been taken that would permit an offering of the securities or possession or distribution of this announcement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. No prospectus under the Prospectus Regulation is required in respect of the Placing and no prospectus, offering circular or similar document will be prepared.
In connection with the Placing, each of the Joint Global Coordinators and any of their affiliates acting as an investor for their own account may take up as a proprietary position any Prosus N Ordinary Shares and in that capacity may retain, purchase or sell for their own account such Prosus N Ordinary Shares and other securities of Prosus or related investments in connection with the Placing or otherwise. In addition, each of the Joint Global Coordinators or their affiliates may enter into financing arrangements (including swaps or contracts for difference) with investors in connection with each of the Joint Global Coordinators and any of their affiliates may from time to time acquire, hold or dispose of Prosus N Ordinary Shares. None of the Joint Global Coordinators or their affiliates intends to disclose the extent of any such investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation to do so.
Each Joint Global Coordinator is acting on behalf of Naspers and no one else in connection with the Placing. They will not regard any other person as their client in relation to the Placing and will not be responsible to anyone other than Naspers for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients nor for providing advice in relation to the Placing, the contents of this announcement or any transaction, arrangement or other matter referred to herein. None of the Joint Global Coordinators or any of their respective subsidiary undertakings, affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers, agents, alliance partners or any other entity or person accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for, or makes any representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from this announcement) or any other information relating to Prosus, its subsidiaries or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Accordingly, the Joint Global Coordinators disclaim, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all and any liability, whether arising in tort or contract or that they might otherwise be found to have in respect of this announcement and/or any such statement.
The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. This announcement does not purport to identify or suggest the risks (direct or indirect) which may be associated with an investment in the Prosus N Ordinary Shares. Any investment decision in connection with the Prosus N Ordinary Shares must be made solely on the basis of all publicly available information relating to the Prosus N Ordinary Shares (which has not been independently verified by the Joint Global Coordinators).
The price of the Prosus N Ordinary 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 Prosus N Ordinary Shares. Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons who require advice should consult an independent financial adviser.
This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "intends", "expects", "will", or "may", or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks relating to future events and assumptions relating to Naspers's or Prosus's business, in particular from changes in political conditions, economic conditions or evolving business strategy. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements in this document will be realised. As a result, no undue reliance should be placed on these forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results or otherwise. Each of Naspers, Prosus, the Joint Global Coordinators and their respective affiliates expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this announcement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200121006189/en/
Contact information
Media
Shamiela Letsoalo, Media Relations Director
+27 78 802 6310
shamiela.letsoalo@naspers.com
Investors
Eoin Ryan, Head of Investor Relations
+1 347-210-4305
eoin.ryan@naspers.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Phenom Expands Applied AI Leadership: Enterprise Talent Optimization & Work Redesign, Frontline Workforce Lifecycle & Shift Scheduling, and Unified Orchestration Engine7.11.2025 12:00:00 EET | Press release
Phenom, the leader in applied AI that helps organisations hire faster, develop better and retain longer, announced three new innovations at IAMPHENOM Europe that enhance how companies connect business strategy to talent execution: Enterprise Talent Optimization & Work Redesign, Frontline Workforce Lifecycle & Shift Scheduling, and Unified Orchestration Engine. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251107190121/en/ Phenom announced three new innovations at IAMPHENOM Europe that enhance how companies connect business strategy to talent execution: Enterprise Talent Optimization & Work Redesign, Frontline Workforce Lifecycle & Shift Scheduling, and Unified Orchestration Engine. By expanding Phenom’s AI and automation, companies are empowered to rethink how work is designed, talent is mobilised and operations are orchestrated across the full talent lifecycle. By expanding Phenom’s AI and automation, companies are empower
INNIO and KMW Secure Grid Stability and Data Center Supply With a Peaking Power Plant7.11.2025 10:00:00 EET | Press release
INNIO Group has signed a contract with KMW (Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden AG) for a new 54-MW peaking power plant. A total of twelve modular energy systems from INNIO are intended to be operated at the site. Part of the plant’s capacity is expected to be available for the “Green Rocks” data center, which is being built by KMW and Norwegian data center operator Green Mountain. INNIO’s decentralized energy solutions serve as backup in case of a blackout due to grid failure. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251107090386/en/ Visualization of the future Green Rocks data center (c) KMW The power plant is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2027. “The partnership between INNIO and KMW is a strategic milestone for energy supply in Mainz. It combines efficiency with future viability and is designed to support the operation of our data center even in the event of a blackout,” said KMW board member Oliver Malerius. “W
Suzano Reports Increased Operational Efficiency With Lower Cash Cost in the Third Quarter of 20257.11.2025 00:58:00 EET | Press release
Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer, announces its results for the third quarter of 2025 (3Q25), reporting sales of 3.6 million tonnes of pulp and paper combined, a 20% increase on the same quarter last year (3Q24). The positive result is driven by the operations of the Ribas do Rio Pardo pulp mill, inaugurated in 2024, and by the integration of paper production from assets acquired in the United States in October 2024. The cash cost of pulp production (excluding downtime) was R$801 per tonne, a 7% reduction compared to 3Q24, another positive highlight of the quarter. The results reflect the continuation of the downward trend in production costs and the ongoing improvement in structural competitiveness. Net revenue for the quarter totalled R$12.2 billion, broadly flat on the comparable period last year. Adjusted EBITDA totalled R$5.2 billion and operating cash generation was positive at R$3.4 billion. The movement is mainly influenced by lower pulp prices and a weaker exchange ra
Vedanta Resources Launches CopperTech Metals to Bolster U.S. Copper Security and Advance Technology and Infrastructure Transformation6.11.2025 18:45:00 EET | Press release
Vedanta Resources Limited ("Vedanta") today announced the launch of CopperTech Metals Inc. ("CopperTech" or the "Company"), a U.S.-domiciled company with a mission to 'Power the Copper Century' and to bolster America's copper security needs while capitalizing on surging copper demand driven by artificial intelligence, data center expansion, grid modernization, defense technologies and industrial onshoring requirements. CopperTech will1 own and operate the Konkola Copper Mines in Zambia, one of the highest-grade copper producing assets in the world with proven cobalt reserves. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251106537189/en/ CopperTech intends to build on the existing $3 billion investment made by Vedanta Resources Limited in the Konkola Copper Mines – which included construction of a deep mine shaft, a smelter and a concentrator, and engaging in general mine development – and intends to invest an additional $1
NJ Bio Bridges the Translation Research Gap with the Asset Purchase and Integration of L2P ® Services6.11.2025 18:11:00 EET | Press release
NJ Bio, Inc., a premier contract research and clinical manufacturing service provider in Princeton, New Jersey has announced the asset purchase and full integration of the research services of L2P Research Labs® (“Lab to Pharmacy”), further expanding its service portfolio, and bridging the translational research gap. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251106703527/en/ NJ Bio, Inc. now offers translational research services after completing asset purchase and full integration of the services of L2P® Research Labs, enhancing the discovery-to-development pipeline Currently, the attrition rate of biological molecules moving past phase 1 clinical trials is very high and the way to overcome this challenge is through translational research. NJ Bio specializes in preclinical and early-phase clinical research and development, with a primary focus on ADCs, bioconjugation, custom synthesis, oligonucleotides, and mRNAs. Howe
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom
