EANS-News: freenet AG
freenet AG restructures its financing long term
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Capital measures
Büdelsdorf (euro adhoc) - freenet AG restructures its financing long term
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN freenet AG restructures its financing long term
Büdelsdorf, 14 April 2011 - freenet AG has completely replaced its existing financing, dating back to private equity times, with a new bank loan and the placement of a corporate bond, together totalling 740 million euros. "By significantly extending the maturity of our borrowings from 2014 to 2016 and by being less exposed to future interest rate risks, we increase the company´s planning certainty," comments freenet AG CFO Joachim Preisig. "In an environment of rising interest rates, we were able to keep our financing costs at the same level, while also diversifying the sources of our debt," he adds. The new financing is comprised of a 240 million euros syndicated bank loan to be repaid over a three year period and a 400 million euros corporate bond maturing after five years. In addition, a revolving credit facility in an amount of 100 million euros was agreed with the banks. The bond placement was jointly lead managed by Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank and UniCredit, with LBBW and WestLB acting as co-lead-managers; the bond will be traded on the regulated markets of the Luxembourg stock exchange as ISIN DE000A1KQXZ0. The first quotation is scheduled for 20 April 2011. The prospectus is available from the Luxembourg stock exchange (www.bourse.lu) and from the company´s website (www.freenet-group.de).
Basic data of the corporate bond:
Issue volume: 400 million euros Denomination: 1,000 euros ISIN: DE000A1KQXZ0 WKN: A1KQXZ Term: 20/04/2011 to 20/04/2016 Coupon: 7.125% p.a. Interest payments: annually, starting on 20/04/2012 Repayment price: 100.0% Security: non-subordinated corporate bond
About freenet AG: The freenet Group is the biggest network-independent telecommunications provider in Germany. The Group offers its customers a comprehensive portfolio of services and products, primarily in the field of mobile voice and data services. As a mobile service provider, the freenet Group markets under its own name and for its own account mobile communications services for all mobile network operators with the competitive edge of being network-independent in customer consultation and in the selection of its products. In the German mobile communications market, the freenet Group serves 15.65 million mobile communications customers, primarily under its "mobilcom-debitel" and "klarmobil" brands. The nearly 600 branded shops and the large presence in specialist retail, electronics retail and superstores guarantee great customer proximity. The company also operates the online portal freenet.de. Its portfolio is rounded off by the online marketing agency freeXmedia. More information at: www.freenet-group.de
Disclaimer: NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN, OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH OFFERS OR SALES WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities in the United States of America ("United States"). The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered in the United States under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or the laws of any state within the United States, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except in a transaction pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or any state securities laws. This release and the information contained herein may not be distributed or sent into the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which offers or sales of the securities described herein would be prohibited by applicable laws and should not be distributed to publications with a general circulation in the United States. No offering of the Notes is being made in the United States.
end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
freenet AG
Investor Relations
Tel.: +49 (0)40 51306-778
E-Mail: ir@freenet.ag
Branche: Telecommunications
ISIN: DE000A0Z2ZZ5
WKN: A0Z2ZZ
Index: Midcap Market Index, TecDAX, CDAX, HDAX, Prime All Share,
Technology All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
Hannover / free trade
München / free trade