Tesco Announces Share Placing

Tesco PLC 13 January 2004 Tuesday 13 January 2004 This announcement does not and these materials do not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for ordinary shares in the capital of the Company in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan or in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful and the information contained herein is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, to persons in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan or any jurisdiction in which such publication or distribution is unlawful. TESCO ANNOUNCES SHARE PLACING Tesco today announces a placing of new ordinary shares to give it the flexibility and firepower to take advantage of the further opportunities arising from its increasingly successful four-part strategy for growth. The placing is of up to 315 million new ordinary shares, representing approximately 4.4% of Tesco's issued share capital valued, based on yesterday's closing price, at around £810 million. In addition the placing includes an over allotment option of 45 million new ordinary shares. Tesco's organic growth rate is amongst the best of any major retailer. Today's Christmas Trading Statement, for the seven weeks to 3 January 2004, demonstrates that this momentum continues with group sales up 16.7% and UK sales up 15.4%, including strong Like for Like sales up 7.5%. The placing will enable Tesco to capitalise fully on its strong growth prospects and the opportunities in all four areas of its business. Tesco has expanded strongly through organic investment and recently made a number of small and medium sized acquisitions in the UK, Poland, Japan and Turkey. To take advantage of these profitable opportunities, Tesco is further strengthening its balance sheet through today's placing. This is part of a wider funding programme which includes improvements in managing working capital and some carefully controlled realisation of value from Tesco's property portfolio, the combination of which is expected to provide an amount similar to that raised by the placing. All of these measures will also reduce debt in the short-term and support the continuation of Tesco's strong credit rating as the business grows. Commenting on the placing, Tesco Chief Executive, Terry Leahy said: 'Customers have given us a great Christmas as today's figures show. All parts of our long-term strategy for growth are delivering. Now is the right time to strengthen our finances further so that we can take full advantage of the opportunities available. This placing will give Tesco the firepower and flexibility to stay ahead and to maximise the full potential of our four-part growth strategy.' TESCO'S STRATEGY In the UK core business, where Tesco continues to see significant areas for growth, the new funding programme will ensure that Tesco can maximise the opportunities arising in three key areas: • Non-food - Tesco will accelerate its successful store extension and replacement programme. Tesco already has around 80 Extra stores offering our largest range of food and non-food products. By creating more Extras Tesco can expand further into non-food areas such as clothing and health and beauty where it continues to build market share at home and abroad. • Convenience - Tesco will take its popular Express format, where we already have over 200 stores, to even more neighbourhoods around the UK. • Safeway Stores - Tesco will be well placed to acquire a number of stores to be divested as a result of the sale of Safeway, enabling more customers to experience the Tesco offer. In retailing services the funding will enable Tesco to continue seeking innovative ways to make it a one-stop shop for all customer needs. The popularity of Tesco Personal Finance and Tesco Mobile prove that there is growing customer demand for simple supermarket style offers in these markets. Internationally the new funding will help Tesco move to the number one spot in more of its 11 overseas markets. There are opportunities beyond Tesco's initial expectations and where Tesco has scale in a country and a market leading position, returns on investment are enhanced. In Tesco's lead markets of Hungary, Thailand and Korea, cash returns on investment (CROI) for stores open more than a year are already around 15%. Developing new stores and taking new formats such as Express and product ranges such as Value overseas should therefore provide new and faster growth. Tesco first set out its strategy for growth six years ago. It is a simple strategy that has been well executed and delivered strong profit growth. In this period Tesco's business has been transformed and the potential for further growth is considerable. This funding programme will help Tesco stay ahead and continue to seek new and innovative opportunities for growth consistent with its strategy. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Tesco has grown underlying profits by an average of 13.6% per year in the last three years. The placing will help Tesco to invest in all four areas of its strategy and to deliver strong levels of profitable growth in the future. A key management objective is to increase the return on capital employed (ROCE). Tesco believes it could increase its post-tax ROCE of 10.2% in the 2002/3 financial year (equivalent to 15% CROI)* by up to 200 basis points over five years on current plans. Tesco's dividends have increased by an average of 11.4% per year over the last three years. Tesco expects to continue its policy of strong dividend growth, whilst continuing to build cover, as the business develops. The placing is designed to ensure that the Company's momentum is sustained. Accordingly, whilst the effect on projected earnings per share will be mildly dilutive in the first year, the placing is designed to allow Tesco's successful growth record to continue for the benefit of all shareholders. Details of the placing: Tesco has today announced its intention to place up to 315 million new ordinary shares (the 'Initial Placing Shares'), representing approximately 4.4% of its issued share capital, with institutional investors. Tesco has also granted to Cazenove & Co. Ltd ('Cazenove'), on behalf of the Joint Bookrunners, an over-allotment option of up to 45 million additional new ordinary shares (the 'Option Placing Shares'). The Initial Placing Shares and the Option Placing Shares (together the 'Placing Shares') represent approximately 5% of the issued share capital of Tesco. Cazenove and Deutsche Bank AG London ('Deutsche Bank') are acting as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Managers for the equity fundraising. Cazenove is also acting as Sponsor, Stabilisation Agent and Global Co-ordinator to the Placing. The proposed issue of Placing Shares will take place at a price established through an accelerated bookbuilding process. It is expected that the books will close no later than 4:30pm (G.M.T.) on 13 January 2004. The Placing will take place in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix to this announcement. The Placing Shares will be credited as fully paid and will rank equally in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the share capital of Tesco, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the date of issue of the Placing Shares. Application will be made to the United Kingdom Listing Authority for the Placing Shares to be admitted to the official list maintained by the United Kingdom Listing Authority, and for such shares to be admitted to trading by the London Stock Exchange plc and the Irish Stock Exchange Limited on their markets for listed securities. *ROCE Calculation Footnote: This is a standard calculation based on current accounting standards and tax rules. Numerator: Profit before interest, less tax Denominator: Average of opening and closing: Net intangibles Add net tangible fixed assets Add net investments in JVs and associates Add net working capital Add long term provisions CROI/ROCE Reconciliation Footnote: For individual projects we will assess projects using CROI and for group returns we will now move to using ROCE. The reconciliation for 2002/3 is as follows: % ---- Group CROI 2002/3 15.0 Less: Accumulated depreciation (0.5) and amortisation. Tax and deferred tax provision (3.9) Add back: dividend creditors (0.4) ---- Group post tax ROCE 2002/3 10.2 ---- For further information: Tesco plc: Lucy Neville-Rolfe Tel: 01992 646606 Steve N Butler Tel: 01992 644800 Jonathan Church Tel: 01992 644645 Cazenove & Co. Ltd: Tel: (020) 7588 2828 John Paynter Julian Cazalet Deutsche Bank AG London Tel: (020) 7545 8000 Charlie Foreman Phil Cowdy This announcement does not constitute an invitation to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any Tesco Shares. Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This announcement is not an offer of Tesco Shares for sale into the United States. The Tesco Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless they are registered or exempt from registration. There will be no public offer of Tesco Shares in the United States. Cazenove is acting for Tesco in connection with the Placing and no one else and will not be responsible to anyone other than Tesco for providing the protections afforded to clients of Cazenove nor for providing advice in relation to the Placing. Deutsche Bank is acting for Tesco in connection with the Placing and no one else and will not be responsible to anyone other than Tesco for providing the protections afforded to clients of Deutsche Bank nor for providing advice in relation to the Placing. APPENDIX IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE PLACING FOR PLACEES ONLY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS WHOSE ORDINARY ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THEM ACQUIRING, HOLDING, MANAGING OR DISPOSING OF INVESTMENTS (AS PRINCIPAL OR AGENT) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THEIR BUSINESSES AND WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(1) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2001, AS AMENDED (THE ORDER) OR ARE PERSONS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(a) TO (d) ('HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC') OF THE ORDER OR TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS RELEVANT PERSONS). THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. THIS APPENDIX DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. If you choose to participate in the Placing by making an oral offer to acquire Placing Shares you will be deemed to have read and understood this Appendix in its entirety and to be making such offer on the terms and conditions, and to be providing the representations, warranties and acknowledgements, contained in this Appendix. In particular you represent, warrant and acknowledge that you: 1. Are a person whose ordinary activities involve you in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purpose of your business and undertake that you will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to you for the purposes of your business; and 2. Are outside the United States or you are a Qualified Institutional Buyer ('QIB'). This announcement does not and these materials do not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for ordinary shares in the capital of the Company in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan or in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful and the information contained herein is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, to persons in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan or any jurisdiction in which such publication or distribution is unlawful. The Placing Shares referred to in this announcement have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) or qualified under any applicable state statutes and may not be offered, sold or transferred within the United States (including its territories and possessions) or to or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, any US Persons (as that term is defined under Regulation S under the Securities Act), except pursuant to registration or exemption. Any offering to be made in the United States will be made to a limited number of QIBs within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act in a transaction not involving any public offering. The Placing Shares are being offered and sold outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Placing Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or other regulatory authority, nor have the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of this offering or the accuracy or adequacy of the offering materials. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful. The distribution of this announcement and the placing and/or issue of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. No action has been taken by the Company, Cazenove or Deutsche Bank that would permit an offer of such ordinary shares or possession or distribution of this announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to such ordinary shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required by the Company, Cazenove or Deutsche Bank to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. Details of the Placing Agreement and the Placing Shares Cazenove and Deutsche Bank (together the Managers) have entered into a placing agreement (the Placing Agreement) with the Company whereby each of the Managers has, subject to the conditions set out therein, undertaken severally to use its reasonable endeavours as agent of the Company to procure Placees to subscribe for the Placing Shares. The Placing Shares will be credited as fully paid and will rank equally in all respects with the existing issued ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the capital of the Company including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid in respect of such ordinary shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares. In this Appendix, unless the context otherwise requires, Placee means a person (including individuals, funds or others) by whom or on whose behalf a commitment to subscribe for Placing Shares has been given. Application for listing and admission to trading Application will be made to the UK Listing Authority (the 'UKLA') for admission of the Placing Shares to the Official List maintained by the UKLA (the 'Official List') and to the London Stock Exchange and the Irish Stock Exchange for admission to trading of the Placing Shares on their markets for listed securities. It is expected that dealings in the Initial Placing Shares will commence no later than 19 January 2004. Bookbuild Commencing today each of the Managers will be conducting an accelerated bookbuilding process (the Bookbuilding Process) for participation in the Placing. This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Bookbuilding Process. No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any Placing Shares. How to participate in the Bookbuilding Process If you wish to participate in the Bookbuilding Process you should communicate your bid by telephone to your usual sales contact at Cazenove or Deutsche Bank. If successful, your allocation will be confirmed to you orally following the close of the Bookbuilding Process, and a conditional contract note will be dispatched as soon as possible thereafter. The relevant Manager's oral confirmation to you, following completion of the bookbuilding process, will constitute a legally binding commitment upon you to subscribe for the number of Placing Shares allocated to you on the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix and in accordance with the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Managers will make a further announcement following the close of the Bookbuilding Process detailing the number of Placing Shares to be issued and the price at which the Placing Shares have been placed. Principal terms of the Bookbuilding Process Each of Cazenove and Deutsche Bank is arranging the Placing severally as an agent of the Company. Participation will only be available to persons invited to participate by either of the Managers. Each of the Managers is entitled to enter bids as principal in the Bookbuilding Process. The Bookbuilding Process will establish a single price (the Placing Price) payable by all Placees. The Placing Price will be agreed between the Managers and the Company following completion of the Bookbuilding Process and any discount to the market price of the ordinary shares of the Company will be determined in accordance with the Listing Rules and IPC guidelines. The Placing price will be announced (the 'Pricing Announcement') on the Regulatory News Service no later than 14 January 2004. To enter a bid into the Bookbuilding Process, you should communicate your bid by telephone to your usual sales contact at Cazenove or Deutsche Bank. Your bid should state the number of Placing Shares for which you wish to subscribe at either the Placing Price which is ultimately established by the Company and the Managers or at prices up to a price limit specified in your bid. Each of the Managers reserves the right not to accept bids or to accept bids in part rather than in whole. The acceptance of bids shall be at each of the Manager's absolute discretion. The Bookbuilding Process is expected to close no later than 4.30 p.m. (G.M.T.) on 13 January 2004, but may be closed earlier at the sole discretion of the Managers. Each of the Managers may, at its sole discretion, accept bids that are received after the Bookbuilding Process has closed. A bid in the Bookbuilding Process will be made on the terms and conditions in this Appendix and will be legally binding on the Placee by which, or on behalf of which, it is made and will not be capable of variation or revocation after the close of the Bookbuilding Process. Conditions of the Placing The Placing is conditional on admission of the Initial Placing Shares to the Official List maintained by the United Kingdom Listing Authority becoming effective and the admission of the Initial Placing Shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange's market for listed securities becoming effective and the commencement of trading of the Initial Placing Shares on such market following admission by no later than 8am on 19 January 2004 (or such later time and/or date as the Company and Cazenove (on behalf of the Managers) may agree). If, (a) the conditions above are not satisfied or waived by both Managers within the stated time period or (b) the Placing Agreement is terminated in the circumstances specified below, the Placing will lapse and your rights and obligations hereunder shall cease and determine at such time and no claim can be made by you in respect thereof. By participating in the Bookbuilding Process you agree that your rights and obligations hereunder terminate only in the circumstances described above and will not be capable of rescission or termination by you. The Managers reserve the right (with the agreement of the Company) to waive or to extend the time and /or date for fulfilment of any of the conditions in the Placing Agreement. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments. Neither of the Managers shall have any liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision it may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or date for the satisfaction of any condition in the Placing Agreement. Right to terminate under the Placing Agreement Cazenove, on behalf of the Managers, will be entitled in its absolute discretion by notice in writing to the Company prior to commencement of trading in the Initial Placing Shares to terminate their obligations under the Placing Agreement if: a. the Company is in breach of any of its obligations under the Placing Agreement in a manner which Cazenove, on behalf of the Managers, reasonably regards as material in the context of the Placing, having paid due regard to, amongst other matters, the interests of the Company; or b. any of the warranties or undertakings given by the Company in the Placing Agreement was, or if repeated at any time up to commencement of trading in the Initial Placing Shares (by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing) would be untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any respect which they reasonably regard as material in the context of the Placing, having paid due regard to, amongst other matters, the interests of the Company. By participating in the Bookbuilding Process you agree with the Managers that the exercise by Cazenove, on behalf of the Managers, of any right or termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of Cazenove, on behalf of the Managers, and that the Managers need make no reference to you and shall have no liability to you whatsoever in connection with any such exercise. Global Co-ordinator's option The Company has granted Cazenove, on behalf of the Managers, an option exercisable (on one occasion only) no later than the close business on 15 February 2004 (with settlement no later than 18 February 2004) to require it to allot and issue at the Placing Price (before deduction of commissions) up to 45 million new ordinary shares. No Prospectus No prospectus has been or will be submitted to be approved by the UKLA or filed with the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales in relation to the Placing Shares and the Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in this announcement and today's Christmas trading statement (the 'Trading Statement'). Each Placee, by accepting a participation in the Placing, agrees that the content of this announcement, the Trading Statement and the Pricing Announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and confirms that it has neither received nor relied on any other information, representation, warranty or statement made by or on behalf of either of the Managers or the Company and neither of the Managers will be liable for any Placee's decision to accept this invitation to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement. Each Placee acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the Placing. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation. Registration and Settlement Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares following Admission will take place within the CREST system, subject to certain exceptions. Each of the Managers reserves the right to require settlement for and delivery of the Placing Shares to Placees in such other means that it deems necessary if delivery or settlement is not possible within the CREST system within the timetable set out in this announcement or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in the Placee's jurisdiction. If you are allocated any Placing Shares in the Bookbuilding Process you will be sent a conditional contract note. Settlement will be on a T+3 basis. Interest is chargeable daily on payments to the extent that value is received after the due date at the rate of 5 percentage points above prevailing LIBOR. If you do not comply with these obligations, the relevant Manager may sell your Placing Shares on your behalf and retain from the proceeds, for its own account and benefit, an amount equal to the Placing Price plus any interest due. You will, however, remain liable for any shortfall below the Placing Price and you may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon any transaction in the Placing Shares on your behalf. If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, please ensure that the conditional contract note is copied and delivered immediately to the relevant person within that organisation. Insofar as Placing Shares are registered in your name or that of your nominee or in the name of any person for whom you are contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such Placing Shares will, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. You will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing. Representations and Warranties By participating in the Bookbuilding Process you (and any person acting on your behalf): 1. represent and warrant that you have read this announcement; 2. acknowledge that the content of this announcement, the Trading Statement and the Pricing Announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company; 3. represent and warrant that the only information upon which you have relied in committing yourself to subscribe for the Placing Shares is that contained in this announcement and the Trading Statement and confirm that you have neither received nor relied on any other information, representation, warranty or statement made by or on behalf of the Company or either of the Managers; 4. you represent and warrant that you are not , or at the time the Placing Shares are subscribed and purchased will not be subscribing on behalf of a resident of Australia, Canada or Japan; 5. acknowledge that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the securities legislation of Australia, Canada or Japan and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold, taken up, renounced or delivered or transferred, directly or indirectly, within Australia, Canada or Japan; 6. represent and warrant that you are entitled to subscribe for and/or purchase Placing Shares under the laws of all relevant jurisdictions which apply to you and that you have fully observed such laws and obtained all such governmental and other guarantees and other consents which may be required thereunder and complied with all necessary formalities; 7. acknowledge that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, or under the securities laws of any state of the United States, and are being offered and sold on behalf of the Company only (i) in the United States to 'qualified institutional buyers' (within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a transaction not involving any public offering under the Securities Act or (ii) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 903 of Regulation S under the Securities Act (Regulation S);. 8. acknowledge that the Placing Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or any other United States regulatory authority; 9. represent and warrant that you (a) are not in the United States (within the meaning of Regulation S) and are subscribing for the shares in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S or (b) are a QIB; 10. represent and warrant that so long as the Placing Shares are 'restricted securities' within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, you will not deposit the Placing Shares into any depositary receipt facility maintained by any depositary bank in respect of the Company's ordinary shares; 11. represent and warrant that the issue to you, or the person specified by you for registration as holder, of Placing Shares will not give rise to a liability under any of sections 67, 70, 93 or 96 of the Finance Act 1986 (depositary receipts and clearance services); 12. if you are in the UK, you represent and warrant that you have complied with your obligations in connection with money laundering under the Criminal Justice Act 1993, the Money Laundering Regulations (1993) (the Regulations) and, if you are making payment on behalf of a third party, that satisfactory evidence has been obtained and recorded by you to verify the identity of the third party as required by the Regulations; 13. represent and warrant that you fall within paragraph 3(a) of Schedule 11 to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), being a person whose ordinary activities involve you in acquiring, holding , managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of your business, and within Article 19 and/or 49 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2001, as amended, and undertake that you will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to you for the purposes of your business; 14. represent and warrant that you have not offered or sold and, prior to the expiry of a period of six months from the Commencement of Trading, will not offer or sell any Placing Shares to persons in the United Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their business or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and which will not result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995, as amended; 15. represent and warrant that you have only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) relating to the Placing Shares in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not require approval of the communication by an authorised person; 16. represent and warrant that you have complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by you in relation to the Placing Shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom. 17. represent and warrant that you have all necessary capacity and have obtained all necessary consents and authorities to enable you to commit to this participation and to perform your obligations in relation thereto (including, without limitation, in the case of any person on whose behalf you are acting, all necessary consents and authorities to agree to the terms set out or referred to in this announcement). 18. undertake that you will pay for the Placing Shares acquired by you in accordance with this announcement on the due time and date set out herein, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with other subscribers at such price as each of the Managers determines. 19. acknowledge that participation in the Placing is on the basis that, for the purposes of the Placing, you are not and will not be clients of either of the Managers and that neither of the Managers has duties or responsibilities to you for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for providing advice in relation to the Placing nor in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities contained in the Placing Agreement. 20. undertake that the person who you specify for registration as holder of the Placing Shares will be (i) the Placee or (ii) a nominee of the Placee, as the case may be. Neither of the Managers nor the Company will be responsible for any liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax resulting from a failure to observe this requirement. Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of the Placee agrees to subscribe on the basis that the Placing Shares will be allotted to the CREST stock account of either of the Managers who will hold them as nominee on behalf of the Placee until settlement in accordance with its standing settlement instructions. 21. acknowledge that any agreements entered into by the Placee pursuant to these terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and you submit (on behalf of yourself and on behalf of any Placee on whose behalf you are acting) to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts as regards any claim, dispute or matter arising out of any such contract. The Company, the Managers and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties and acknowledgements. The agreement to settle your subscription (and/or the subscription of a person for whom you are contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax depends on the settlement relating only to a subscription by you and/or such person direct from the Company for the Placing Shares in question. Such agreement assumes that the Placing Shares are not being acquired in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to transfer the Placing Shares into a clearance service. If there were any such arrangements, or the settlement related to other dealing in the Placing Shares, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax may be payable, for which neither the Company nor either of the Managers will be responsible. If this were the case, you should take your own advice and notify the relevant Manager accordingly. Stabilisation/FSA. END This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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