STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 9, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Shareholders in AB Custos (publ) ("Custos") have submitted 5,362,742 shares for redemption through the redemption offer that expired on April 3, 2002.
A total value of MSEK 1,538, including proposed dividend, will be transferred to Custos' shareholders.
Acceptance of the redemption offer
An Extraordinary General Meeting in Custos resolved on February 25, 2002 to issue redemption rights in Custos. Persons who on the record date of February 28, 2002 were shareholders in Custos received one redemption right for each Custos share held. Five redemption rights carried entitlement to redemption of two Custos shares with payment of SEK 250 for every redeemed share. The redemption offer involved a total of 5,430,804 shares in Custos corresponding to a value of MSEK 1,358.
The application period for the redemption offer expired on April 3, 2002. A total of 5,362,742 shares in Custos were tendered in the redemption offer and a total value of MSEK 1,341 will be transferred to the shareholders. Accordingly, the degree of acceptance was 98.7 percent.
On April 19, 2002, Custos' Annual General Meeting intends to decide on redemption of the Custos shares submitted through the redemption offer.
Contingent upon the Annual General Meeting making the necessary decisions, the number of Custos shares outstanding will amount to 8,210,600, a) after the redemption.
Trading in redemption shares and delivery of redemption payment
Trading in Custos' redemption shares will begin on April 12, 2002 and will conclude on April 29, 2002. In addition to the redemption payment of SEK 250, a redeemed share also entitles the holder to the regular dividend, which amounts to SEK 14.50 per share according to the proposal of the Board of Directors.
Assuming that the Annual General Meeting makes the necessary decisions, delivery of the redemption payment will occur about May 8, 2002.
Commission free sales
The average sales proceeds in the commission-free sale of redemption rights amounted to SEK 28.49 per redemption right. The considerations paid for the redemption rights sold through the commission-free sales were reported to the shareholders about April 5, 2002.
This notice is published in Swedish and English. In the event of any difference between the English version and the Swedish original, the Swedish version shall govern. Assuming that the synthetic repurchased shares as mandated by the Annual General Meeting on April 5, 2001 are redeemed.
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