Statement re Possible Offer

RNS Number : 8815U

Liontrust Asset Management PLC

20 May 2008

 



PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 May 2008
LIONTRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC

The Board of Liontrust Asset Management PLC ('Liontrust' or the 'Company') notes the recent movement in its share price and announces that it has received an approach which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the whole of the issued share capital of Company.

Discussions are at a very early stage and there can be no certainty that an offer will be made or as to the terms on which any offer might be made. 

The Board has appointed Hawkpoint Partners Limited to advise it on any potential offer.  

In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Takeover Code (the 'Code'), Liontrust confirms that it has 33,665,008 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in issue and admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange under the UK ISIN code GB0007388407.

Dealing Disclosure Requirements

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Code, if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of Liontrust, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of Liontrust (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of Liontrust, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of Liontrust by the potential offeror or Liontrust, or by any of their respective 'associates', must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.

A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Takeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, you should consult the Takeover Panel.

Hawkpoint Partners Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for Liontrust and its Directors and no one else in connection with this matter and will not be responsible to anyone other than Liontrust and its Directors for providing the protections afforded to clients of Hawkpoint Partners Limited nor for providing advice in relation to this matter, the content of this announcement or any matter referred to herein.

 

END

 

 

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