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Publication of Circular and Prospectus in connection with the Proposed Acquisition of Reynolds American Inc
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
Incorporated in England and Wales
(Registration number: 03407696)
Short name: BATS
Share code: BTI
ISIN number: GB0002875804
("British American Tobacco p.l.c." or "the Company")
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO
OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF
THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A
PROSPECTUS OR PROSPECTUS EQUIVALENT DOCUMENT. INVESTORS SHOULD NOT
MAKE ANY INVESTMENT DECISION IN RELATION TO THE NEW BAT SHARES BASED ON
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO P.L.C.
Publication of Circular and Prospectus in connection with the Proposed Acquisition of
Reynolds American Inc.
British American Tobacco p.l.c. ("BAT") is pleased to announce that the UK Listing Authority has
approved a Class 1 circular (the "Circular") and a prospectus (the "Prospectus") (dated 14 June
2017) in relation to its recommended offer to acquire the remaining 57.8% of Reynolds American
Inc. ("Reynolds") that it does not already own (the "Proposed Acquisition").
The Circular contains a notice convening a general meeting of BAT, which is to be held at 2.00pm
on 19 July 2017 at Hilton London Bankside, 2-8 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0UG, United
Kingdom, at which the resolution to approve the Proposed Acquisition and the authority for the
Directors of BAT to allot and issue new BAT shares in connection with the Proposed Acquisition
will be proposed.
The Prospectus relates to the proposed issue of new ordinary shares in connection with the
Proposed Acquisition and the application for admission of new ordinary shares to the premium
listing segment of the Official List and to trading on the main market for listed securities of the
London Stock Exchange.
Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions as set out in the merger agreement, including
approval of shareholders of both BAT and Reynolds, the expected effective date of the completion
of the Proposed Acquisition is on or around 25 July 2017.
Availability of the Circular and Prospectus
Copies of the Circular will be circulated in hard copy to those BAT shareholders who have elected
to receive it in that form. Other BAT shareholders will be sent notification that the Circular is
available online. The Circular and the Prospectus will be made available in electronic form on
BAT's website at http://www.bat.com/reynolds and will be available for inspection at the Company's
registered office at Globe House, 4 Temple Place, London WC2R 2PG, between the hours of
9.30am and 5.30pm on any Business Day from today’s date up to and including the conclusion of
the Proposed Acquisition.
The Circular, together with related forms of proxy, and the Prospectus have also been submitted to
the National Storage Mechanism, where they will shortly be available for inspection at
www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM.
14 June 2017
ENQUIRIES
British American Tobacco Press Office
+44 (0) 20 7845 2888 (24 hours) | @BATPress
British American Tobacco Investor Relations
Mike Nightingale / Rachael Brierley / Sabina Marshman
+44 (0) 20 7845 1180 / 1519/ 1781
FTI Consulting (UK PR agency)
John Waples: +44 (0)20 3727 1515
Edward Bridges: +44 (0)20 3727 1067
David Waller: +44 (0)20 3727 1651
Sard Verbinnen & Co. (US PR agency)
US: George Sard / Jim Barron: +1 212 687 8080
UK: Michael Henson: +44 (0)20 3178 8914
Centerview Partners
UK: Nick Reid / Hadleigh Beals: +44 (0)207 409 9700
US: Blair Effron: +1 212 380 2650
Deutsche Bank
UK: Nigel Meek / James Ibbotson
Matt Hall / Jimmy Bastock (Corporate Broking)
+44 (0)207 545 8000
US: James Stynes: +1 212 250 2500
UBS
John Woolland / James Robertson
David Roberts / Alia Malik (Corporate Broking)
+44 (0)207 568 1000
NOTES TO EDITORS
About BAT
BAT is a global tobacco group with brands sold in more than 200 markets. It employs more than
50,000 people worldwide and has over 200 brands in its portfolio, with its cigarettes chosen by
around one in eight of the world’s one billion smokers. BAT has market leading positions in at least
55 markets around the world. The Group generated £5 billion adjusted profit from operations in
2016.
Centerview Partners, Deutsche Bank and UBS are acting as financial advisers to BAT. Deutsche
Bank and UBS are joint corporate brokers to BAT and acting as joint sponsors to BAT in relation to
the transaction described in this announcement. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and Herbert Smith
Freehills LLP are acting for BAT as US and UK legal counsel respectively. PwC are acting as
accountants and advisors to BAT on the transaction described in this announcement.
Centerview Partners UK LLP (“Centerview Partners”) is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Centerview Partners is acting exclusively for BAT and
no one else in connection with the transaction described in this announcement. Centerview
Partners will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the transaction described in this
announcement and will not be responsible to any person other than BAT for providing the
protections afforded to clients of Centerview Partners or for providing advice in relation to the
transaction described in this announcement or any other matter referred to herein.
Deutsche Bank AG is authorised under German Banking Law (competent authority: European
Central Bank) and, in the United Kingdom, by the Prudential Regulation Authority. It is subject to
supervision by the European Central Bank and by BaFin, Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory
Authority, and is subject to limited regulation in the United Kingdom by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and Financial Conduct Authority. Details about the extent of its authorisation and
regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct
Authority, are available on request or from www.db.com/en/content/eu_disclosures.htm.
Deutsche Bank AG, acting through its London branch (“DB London”), and Deutsche Bank
Securities Inc. (“DBSI” and with DB London, “DB”) are acting as joint financial adviser and DB
London is acting as joint corporate broker and joint sponsor to BAT. DB are acting exclusively for
BAT and no one else in connection with the transaction described in this announcement. DB will
not regard any other person as their client in relation to the transaction described in this
announcement and will not be responsible to any person other than BAT for providing the
protections afforded to clients of DB or for providing advice in relation to the transaction described
in this announcement or any other matter referred to herein.
UBS Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom. UBS Limited is
acting exclusively for BAT and no one else in connection with the transaction described in this
announcement. UBS Limited will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the
transaction described in this announcement and will not be responsible to any person other than
BAT for providing the protections afforded to clients of UBS Limited or for providing advice in
relation to the transaction described in this announcement or any other matter referred to herein.
Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on it by the Financial
Services and Markets Act 2000, none of Centerview Partners, DB or UBS Limited accepts any
responsibility whatsoever and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the
contents of this announcement, including its accuracy, fairness, sufficiency, completeness or
verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on its behalf, in
connection with BAT or the transaction described in this announcement, and nothing in this
announcement is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation in this respect, whether
as to the past or the future. Each of Centerview Partners, DB and UBS Limited accordingly
disclaims to the fullest extent permitted by law all and any responsibility and liability whether arising
in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which it might otherwise have in respect of
this announcement.
For further information
A copy of this announcement will be made available, subject to certain jurisdiction restrictions, on
BAT's website at BATReynolds.transactionannouncement.com. For the avoidance of doubt, the
contents of this website is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.
Overseas jurisdictions
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into jurisdictions other than the
United States or the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are
subject to the law of any jurisdiction other than the United States or the United Kingdom should
inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. Any failure
to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any
such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons
involved in the transaction disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions
by any person.
Copies of this announcement and formal documentation relating to the transaction will not be and
must not be, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any jurisdiction
outside of the United States and the United Kingdom where such distribution, publication,
availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation or which would require any registration or
licensing within such jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect
of the transaction.
Forward looking statements
Certain statements in this communication regarding the Proposed Acquisition, the expected
timetable for completing the Proposed Acquisition, the benefits and synergies of the Proposed
Acquisition, future opportunities for the combined company and any other statements regarding
BAT’s, Reynolds’s or the combined company’s future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives,
financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts are
“forward-looking” statements made within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are often, but not always, made through the
use of words or phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “may,” “would,” “should,” “intend,”
“plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “outlook”
and similar expressions. All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions
that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual future financial
condition, performance and results to differ materially from the plans, goals, expectations and
results expressed in the forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data within
this communication. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements are uncertainties related to the following: whether
the conditions to the Proposed Acquisition will be satisfied and the Proposed Acquisition will be
completed on the anticipated timeframe, or at all; the failure to realize contemplated synergies and
other benefits from the Proposed Acquisition; the incurrence of significant costs and the availability
and cost of financing in connection with the Proposed Acquisition; the effect of the announcement
of the Proposed Acquisition, and related uncertainties as to whether the Proposed Acquisition will
be completed, on BAT’s, Reynolds’s or the combined company’s ability to retain customers, retain
and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with suppliers and on their operating results and
businesses generally; the ability to maintain credit ratings; changes in the tobacco industry and
stock market trading conditions; changes or differences in domestic or international economic or
political conditions; changes in tax laws and rates; the impact of adverse legislation and regulation;
the ability to develop, produce or market new alternative products profitably; the ability to effectively
implement strategic initiatives and actions taken to increase sales growth; the ability to enhance
cash generation and pay dividends; adverse litigation and dispute outcomes; and changes in the
market position, businesses, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of BAT,
Reynolds or the combined company.
Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in Reynolds’s filings with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Reynolds’s most recent Annual
Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which
may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov, and BAT’s Annual
Reports, which may be obtained free of charge from BAT’s website www.BAT.com. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of
the date hereof and BAT undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking
statements or other data or statements contained within this communication, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
No statement in this communication is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this
communication should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of BAT or Reynolds for the
current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published
earnings per share of BAT or Reynolds, respectively.
Additional information and where to find it
This communication is neither a solicitation of a proxy nor a substitute for any proxy statement or
other filings that may be made with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Acquisition. Any
solicitation will only be made through materials filed with the SEC. Nonetheless, this
communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the Proposed Acquisition by
BAT.
BAT has filed relevant materials with the SEC, including a registration statement on Form F-4 that
includes a proxy statement of Reynolds that also constitutes a prospectus of BAT. On 14 June
2017, the SEC declared the registration statement effective. Reynolds commenced mailing the
definitive proxy statement/prospectus to holders of Reynolds common stock on or about 14 June
2017. Investors and security holders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement/prospectus,
which was also filed with the SEC on 14 June 2017, together with all other relevant documents filed
with the SEC, because they contain important information about the Proposed Acquisition.
Investors and security holders may obtain the documents free of charge at the SEC’s website,
http://www.sec.gov, or for free from BAT using the contact information above.
Participants in solicitation
This communication is neither a solicitation of a proxy nor a substitute for any proxy statement or
other filings that may be made with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Acquisition.
Nonetheless, BAT and its affiliates and each of their directors and executive officers and certain
employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the holders of
Reynolds common stock with respect to the Proposed Acquisition. Information about such parties
and a description of their interests are set forth in BAT’s 2016 Annual Report, which may be
obtained free of charge from BAT’s website www.BAT.com and Reynolds’s annual report for the
year ended 31 December 2016, which was filed on Form 10-K with the SEC on 9 February 2017,
Reynolds’s Form 10-K/A, which was filed with the SEC on 20 March 2017 and Reynolds’s definitive
proxy statement/prospectus, which was filed with the SEC on 14 June 2017 (such filings by
Reynolds, collectively, “Reynolds SEC filings”). To the extent holdings of Reynolds securities by
such parties have changed since the amounts contained in the Reynolds SEC filings, such
changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with
the SEC. Additional information regarding the interest of such parties is also included in the
materials that BAT has filed with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Acquisition. These
documents may be obtained free of charge from the SEC’s website http://www.sec.gov, or from
BAT using the contact information above.
Non-solicitation
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or
qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made
except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
This communication should not be construed as, investment advice and is not intended to form the
basis of any investment decision, nor does it form the basis of any contract for acquisition or
investment in any member of the BAT group, financial promotion or any offer, invitation or
recommendation in relation to any acquisition of, or investment in, any member of the BAT group.
If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action you should take, you
are recommended to seek your own independent personal financial advice immediately from your
stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant, fund manager or other appropriate independent
financial adviser duly authorised under the UK Financial Services and Market Act 2000 (as
amended) if you are resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately
authorised independent financial adviser.
Sponsor: UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Date: 14/06/2017 04:15:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
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