Cabletalk Group Announces Key Transaction
Cabletalk Group Announces Key Transaction And 9 For 1 Rights Issue
Auckland 11 June 2001 – New Capital Markets
issuer, Cabletalk Group Limited (NZSE CTG), today released a
Notice of Meeting and Explanatory Memorandum outlining the
key transaction it proposes to shareholders. The proposed
transaction is the acquisition of CANS (Cabletalk Astute
Network Services), a telecommunications network service
company formed by the amalgamation of four
telecommunications network building and maintenance
companies.
Following an independent valuation by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cabletalk Group’s independent directors, Mr Ross Keenan and Sir Selwyn Cushing, have negotiated a purchase price of $15.352 million for CANS, comprising $4.484 million in cash and $10.868 million in new shares at an issue price of $0.50 per share.
Upon completion of the key transaction and cash issue, Cabletalk Group is forecasting an after tax profit (prior to goodwill amortisation) of $2.2 million for the current year. This represents a P/E multiple of 8.2 times on the issue price of $0.50 per share.
The key transaction will be presented for approval by shareholders at a special meeting on 22 June 2001. Shareholders will also be asked to approve a subsequent public offering (SPO) of 11,600,000 new shares at $0.50 per share, comprising of a 9 for 1 renounceable entitlements issue for existing public shareholders. Subject to shareholder approval, rights will be able to be traded on the NZSE from 25 June to 11 July. The SPO will open on 25 June and close on 13 July.
The funds raised will be
employed to finance the cash consideration of the key
transaction, to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and
provide funding for growth opportunities. The SPO is
underwritten by organising broker ABN AMRO Craigs.
“
After its acquisition of CANS, Cabletalk Group will be one
of the leading telecommunications network servicing
companies in New Zealand and have significant opportunity
for growth in a rapidly expanding sector.” says Ross
Keenan.
“Cabletalk was founded to take advantage of opportunities in telecommunications network servicing in New Zealand and Australia,” he added. “The role and scope of telecommunications networks is increasing dramatically as technology converges and TV, computer, phone, fax and security systems increasingly communicate through the same networks. On the back of this, telecommunications network building and servicing is also becoming big business.”
ENDS