New Investment

RNS Number : 6526V

3i Infrastructure PLC

04 November 2010

 



3i Infrastructure plc

4 November, 2010

Eversholt Investment Group Agrees to Buy Eversholt Rail Group from HSBC

Eversholt Investment Group ("EIG"), a consortium comprising equal stakes from 3i Infrastructure plc, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and STAR Capital Partners ("STAR"), has signed an agreement to acquire Eversholt Rail Group ("Eversholt") from HSBC Asset Finance (UK) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc ("HSBC").

The transaction values Eversholt's gross assets at approximately £2.1 billion and the consortium will fund the acquisition through a combination of equity and debt. 3i Infrastructure plc will be contributing up to £176 million in equity instruments as part of the total consideration.

Eversholt Rail Group is one of the three leading rail rolling stock companies in the UK. It owns approximately 29% of the total current British rail fleet with 19 fleets of rolling stock, specifically designed and built for the UK rail network. The fleets are leased to seven train operating companies and its revenues are primarily derived from long-term lease payments.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2010.

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For more information:

3i Infrastructure plc contacts:

Silvia Santoro, Investor enquiries                                           [phone]

Isabel Unsworth, Press enquiries                                          [phone]

Peter Hewer / Martha Kelly, Tulchan Communications         [phone]

Notes to Editors

About 3i Infrastructure

3i Infrastructure plc is a Jersey-incorporated, closed-ended investment company that invests in infrastructure businesses and assets and is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. The Company listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2007, raising £703 million in an initial public offering and a further £115 million in a subsequent placing and open offer in July 2008. The Company is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. It aims to build a diversified portfolio of infrastructure investments across the globe, but with an initial focus on Europe, Asia and North America. 3i Investments plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3i Group plc, is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority and acts as Investment Adviser to 3i Infrastructure plc.

www.3i-infrastructure.com

About Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners

Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, with $4 billion in equity under management, is a leading infrastructure investment platform that focuses on long-term investments in infrastructure assets associated with providing essential public goods and services to societies across the globe. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure is part of the Merchant Banking Division within Morgan Stanley Investment Management. Morgan Stanley Investment Management has approximately $273 billion in assets under management or supervision as of September 30, 2010. For further information about Morgan Stanley Infrastructure, please visit www.morganstanley.com/infrastructure

About STAR Capital Partners

STAR is a European specialist investment fund manager with over €1 billion of equity under management. Currently investing from its second fund, STAR specialises in the acquisition and development of capital assets and capital-intensive businesses either independently or in partnership with existing owners, industry partners and financial investors. STAR's core sectors include transportation, energy, oil and gas, utilities, telecommunications, and healthcare.

www.star-capital.com

About HSBC Group

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,000 offices in 87 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,418 billion at 30 June 2010, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.

This press release is not for distribution (directly or indirectly) in or to the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan and is not an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Any public offering to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from the issuer or selling security holder and will contain detailed information about 3i Group plc, 3i Infrastructure plc, the 3i India Infrastructure Fund and management, as applicable, as well as financial statements. No public offering in the United States is currently contemplated.

 

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