NewMedia SPARK PLC
13 September 2001
Embargoed for release: 07.00 on 13th September 2001
NewMedia SPARK plc Offer update
The Board of NewMedia SPARK plc ('SPARK') notes yesterday's announcement by
Sputz AG that it shortly hopes to be in receipt of a takeover bid from a
German bank at a higher level than SPARK's present Euro8.50 tender offer for
51% control of Sputz.
SPARK wishes to emphasise that, following market purchases, SPARK now owns
approximately 42.2% of Sputz's equity (or 44.2% of the currently eligible
voting shares).
If a higher offer for Sputz is made by a third party, SPARK would be under no
obligation to accept this offer with respect to the 42.2% of Sputz's equity
over which SPARK now has irrevocable control. SPARK believes that in the light
of this, any such alternative offer is highly unlikely to succeed in gaining
control of Sputz. SPARK therefore doubts that any such formal offer will in
fact be made, and remains confident that SPARK will succeed in its aim of
securing a 51% controlling stake in Sputz.
SPARK's tender offer is due to close on the 24th September 2001.
For further information, please contact:
Michael Whitaker / Joel Plasco
NewMedia SPARK plc +44 (0) 207 851 7777
Alexander Eichner
SPARK GmbH +49 (0) 30 2094 7200
NewMedia SPARK
Listed on London's Alternative Investment Market, NewMedia SPARK plc is one of
Europe's leading quoted venture capital organisations. SPARK currently has a
portfolio of investments in over 50 companies in Europe and India. At 31 March
2001, SPARK's portfolio was valued at £109.7m and it had cash reserves of £
76.6m. SPARK has operations in London, Stockholm, Berlin and Madrid. For
further information see www.newmediaspark.com.
Sputz AG
Sputz AG is a holding company listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange. Sputz's
portfolio of holdings includes a number of important financial businesses,
operating both on-line and off-line. For example, it owns approximately 1% of
the Deutsche Borse and approximately 11% of Tullett & Tokyo Liberty plc, as
well as having majority ownership of significant German broking operations and
a minority holding in Germany's first ECN. In addition it owns stakes in
several technology related pre-IPO businesses, and has been in the process of
developing a venture capital investment business to complement its financial
services businesses. It also has fund management operations. Sputz is
headquartered in Dusseldorf and also has operations in Frankfurt. For further
information see www.spuetz.de.
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