References are made to the announcements made on 15 June, 9 July, 25 July and 29 November 2012 (collectively the “Announcements”) by the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (“HKEx”) in connection with the terms of a recommended acquisition for cash of the entire issued ordinary share capital of LME Holdings Limited (“LMEH”) by HKEx’s indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, HKEx Investment (UK) Limited, by way of a scheme of arrangement and a capital reduction to be effected under the Companies Act.
Unless the context otherwise requires, terms used in this announcement shall have the same meanings as those defined in the Announcements.
Court sanctions the Scheme and confirms the Capital Reduction
The Board is pleased to announce that earlier today the High Court of Justice in England and Wales sanctioned the Scheme without modification and confirmed the Capital Reduction forming part of the Scheme.
It is expected that the Scheme will become effective on 6 December 2012 after the delivery of office copies of the Scheme Court Order and the Reduction Court Order to the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (“the Registrar”), and the Reduction Court Order being registered by the Registrar, at which time completion of the Acquisition will take place. Following completion of the Acquisition, cheques for the payment of the offer price for LMEH will be despatched to LMEH Ordinary Shareholders within 14 days after 6 December 2012 in accordance with the terms of the Scheme, i.e. on or before 20 December 2012.
Potential investors and HKEx’s shareholders should exercise caution when investing or dealing in HKEx’s shares.
By Order of the Board
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Joseph Mau
Company Secretary