Mails Informational Brochure and Launches HBCGoPrivate.com
TORONTO & NEW YORK — Hudson’s Bay Company (TSX: HBC) (“HBC” or the “Company”) today mailed an informational brochure and launched www.HBCGoPrivate.com to encourage all shareholders to vote FOR the transaction in which HBC will become a private company, owned by certain continuing shareholders (the “Continuing Shareholders”), and the Company’s other shareholders (the “Minority Shareholders”) will receive $10.30 in cash per share. The take-private transaction was unanimously recommended by the independent Special Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Special Committee”) and determined by the Board (excluding conflicted directors) to be in the best interest of HBC and fair to Minority Shareholders.
The $10.30 per share offer is the only offer available to HBC shareholders and there are no alternative offers. By failing to vote for the transaction, shareholders will face the risk of an uncertain retail and real estate environment. The brochure outlines the Board’s recommendation that shareholders vote FOR the transaction and emphasizes the following key points:
- $10.30 per share provides a compelling value proposition and is within the fair value range determined by the independent valuation of TD Securities Inc.
- HBC has significant cash obligations, which constrain HBC’s ability to return capital to shareholders
- Despite pursuing several strategic initiatives over the past two years, HBC still faces a challenging, deteriorating retail environment
- The value of the Company’s real estate portfolio has declined, and there are challenges in realizing the Company’s real estate value
- Any potential redevelopment of HBC’s real estate portfolio will require significant capital, as well as an extended multi-year time horizon
- After an extensive review process, the Special Committee did not identify any alternatives that were more attractive than the proposed transaction
- The all cash offer at $10.30 per share delivers immediate and certain value at a 62% premium to the unaffected closing stock price on June 7, 2019
The informational brochure is available on the dedicated transaction website HBCGoPrivate.com, which provides additional information and materials related to the take-private transaction, including voting instructions. Shareholders can vote directly by clicking the VOTE NOW button.
Each shareholder’s vote is important regardless of the number of shares owned. The Special Committee and the Board (excluding conflicted directors) recommend that Minority Shareholders vote in favour of the transaction in advance of the proxy voting deadline of 10:00 p.m. ET on Friday, December 13, 2019 or at the special meeting of shareholders on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Shareholders who have questions or need assistance voting their proxy should contact Kingsdale Advisors, HBC’s proxy solicitation agent, by telephone toll-free at 1-866-581-0512, collect at 1-416-867-2272 or via email at [email protected].
About HBC
HBC is a diversified retailer focused on driving the performance of high-quality stores and their omni-channel platforms and unlocking the value of real estate holdings. Founded in 1670, HBC is the oldest company in North America. HBC’s portfolio today includes formats ranging from luxury to premium department stores to off price fashion shopping destinations, with nearly 250 stores and approximately 30,000 employees around the world. HBC’s leading businesses across North America include Saks Fifth Avenue, Hudson’s Bay, and Saks OFF 5TH. HBC also has significant investments in real estate joint ventures. It has partnered with Simon Property Group Inc. in the HBS Joint Venture, which owns properties in the United States. In Canada, it has partnered with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust in the RioCan-HBC Joint Venture
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the rationale of the Special Committee and the Board of Directors for recommending the privatization transaction, the timing of steps to be completed in connection with the transaction, and other statements that are not material facts. Often but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “believe”, “estimate”, “plan”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “outlook”, “forecast”, “anticipate”, “foresee”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology.
Although HBC believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are based on information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are by their nature subject to a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations and plans as set forth in such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following factors, many of which are beyond HBC’s control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict: (a) the possibility that the transaction will not be completed on the terms and conditions, or on the timing, currently contemplated, and that it may not be completed at all, due to a failure to obtain or satisfy, in a timely manner or otherwise, required shareholder and regulatory approvals and other conditions of closing necessary to complete the transaction or for other reasons; (b) risks related to tax matters; (c) the possibility of adverse reactions or changes in business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; (d) risks relating to HBC’s ability to retain and attract key personnel during the interim period; (e) the possibility of litigation relating to the transaction; (f) credit, market, currency, operational, real estate, liquidity and funding risks generally and relating specifically to the transaction, including changes in economic conditions, interest rates or tax rates; (g) risks and uncertainties relating to information management, technology, supply chain, product safety, changes in law, competition, seasonality, commodity price and business; and (h) other risks inherent to the Company’s business and/or factors beyond its control which could have a material adverse effect on the Company or the ability to consummate the transaction.
HBC cautions that the foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause HBC’s actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the “Risk Factors” sections of HBC’s Annual Information Form dated May 3, 2019 and Management Information Circular dated November 14, 2019, as well as HBC’s other public filings, available at www.sedar.com and at www.hbc.com.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe HBC’s expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable Canadian securities laws, HBC does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191204005938/en/
Contacts
Investor Relations:
Jennifer Bewley, 646-802-4631
[email protected]
Media:
Special Committee
Sard Verbinnen & Co.
Liz Zale and Paul Scarpetta, 212-687-8080
Meghan Gavigan, 415-618-8750
[email protected]
Company
Andrew Blecher, 646-802-4030
[email protected]
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