Takeover Code Flashcards
What firms does the UK takeover code oversee?
- Registers offers for shares in companies which are:
o UK registered and trade on a UK regulated market; or
o UK plcs (not traded on a regulated market) if centrally managed and controlled from the UK
o Private companies if centrally managed and controlled from the UK and which have been fully listed in past ten years
Who monitors adherence to the takeover code?
- Takeover panel monitors adherence to the rules
What sanctions are there for breach of the code?
o Sanctions
Private or public censure
Cold shouldering
What are the six general principles of the takeover code?
1) Equivalent treatment of security-holders
2) Sufficiency of time and information for offeree security-holders
3) Offeree board must uphold nterest of the company as a whole
4) Prevention of false markets
5) Offeror care and responsibility relating to offer consideration, ensuring it can fulfil in full any cash consideration
6) Prohibition against unreasonable hindering of offeree company during takeover bid
What is announcement day?
- Once a firm offer has been announced, the offeror has 28 days in which to post the offer document, giving full details of their offer to offeree shareholders, and make this available to offeree employees and pension scheme trustees
What happens on day 0?
- The publication day is the day on which the offer document is sent to the offeree’s shareholders, which must be no later than 28 days from the firm announcement date
- Can only be published before 14 days following firm announcement if you have consent of the offeree company board
When should the first defence document by published?
No later than day 14
What should be contained in the first defence document in the context of both a recommended offer and a hostile offer?
Defence document contains the director’s response to the offer document, recommending that the shareholders reject the offer and explaining the reasons why. Should be published no later than Day 14.
-In a recommended offer, the document includes a letter by the company chairman to the company shareholders, setting out a recommendation that shareholders accept the offer, and including the Rule 3 adviser’s opinion.
-In a hostile offer, the offeree board must instead send a defence document to all shareholders by the 14th day after the publication day, i.e. by day 14.
What is the minimum acceptance period for an offer under the UK takeover code?
Day 21 – Minimum Acceptance Period
An offer must initially be open for acceptance until the later of day 21 and the date on which the offer becomes or is declared unconditional
What happens the day after day 21?
Acceptance Announcements
Announce the level of acceptances by 08.00 on the business day following day 21 and every seven days thereafter
What is the latest date for timetable suspension due to regulatory clearance?
day 37
What happens on day 39?
Day 39: Last day for the offeree board to announce or disclose any additional information or disclose any material new opinions. If any such announcement is made afterwards, the days are reset.
What is the latest date that an offeror may amend their offer?
Day 46: Offeror may amend its offer up to day 46. Following this date, the offeror must not buy shares in the market above the offer price (as this would trigger a revised offer)
What happens on day 53?
Day 53: Last day for a competing offer to be made, when a publicly identified potential offerer might make a competing offer. The potential offeror must either:
- Announce a firm intention to make an offer in line with Rule 2.7
- Announce that it does not intend to make an offer, so Rule 2.8 applies
What happens on day 60?
Day 60: Except with consent of panel, all conditions of offer must be satisfied or waiver, or the offer must lapse by midnight on day 60.W
What happens on day 74?
Day 74: Assuming the offer is unconditional on day 60, then day 74 is the earliest day on which the offer may close
In a takeover, what is a long-stop date?
Latest date takeover will be effective or offer will be withdrawn if acceptance level or regulatory clearance has not been achieved
In the context of takeover timelines, what is an acceleration statement?
Acceleration statement: Brings forward the last day offer could become unconditional from Day 60, must be at least 14 days from issuing the statement
What is an Acceptance Condition Invocation Notice (ACIN)?
Bidder must give at least 14 days notice to invoke the acceptance condition to lapse if insufficient acceptance
After a successful bid, when must all consideration be settled?
- Consideration for a successful bid must be settled within 14 days of the bid going unconditional in all respects
After a bid, how long are no purchases of shares by offeror at above the offer price in the post bid period allowed?
(six months)