Statement re possible offer

RNS Number : 2209F

Optare PLC

07 January 2010

 



OPTARE PLC

("Optare" or the "Company")

Announcement regarding possible offer

The board of Optare notes the recent movement in the price of the Company's shares and announces that it has received a preliminary approach which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the majority of the issued share capital of the Company.

Shareholders of the Company should be aware that there is no certainty that an offer will be forthcoming.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

Rule 2.10 Requirement

In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, England confirms that it currently has in issue 231,316,953 ordinary shares of 1p each. 

The International Securities Identification Number for the ordinary shares is GB00B2PGSY66.

Optare plc Jim Sumner - Chief Executive

Tel: [phone]

Cenkos Securities plc Stephen Keys/Camilla Hume

Tel: [phone]

Dealing Disclosure Requirements:-

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code"), if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in one per cent. or more of any class of "relevant securities" of the Company, all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of that company (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 3.30pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which any offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends.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 the Company, 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 the Company by the Company or by the potential offeror, 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 UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers' (the "Panel") 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 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 Panel.

The Company's Directors accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Company's Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

 

END

 

 

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