Schaeffler AG reduces debt

2016-09-07 | Herzogenaurach

• Early prepayment of USD 850 million bond with a coupon of 4.75%
• Net debt of Schaeffler AG reduces to EUR 4.2 billion
• Further step to reach leverage targets earlier than expected

Following the announced EUR 3.3 billion equivalent refinancing of existing indebtedness of IHO Holding, a group of holding companies indirectly owned by the Schaeffler Family, Schaeffler AG intends to further delever by fully redeeming its USD 850 million 4.75% senior secured notes due 2021. After repayment of the bond, Net Debt of Schaeffler AG will reduce by EUR 674 million to EUR 4.2 billion. On this basis, the Net Debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio will fall to 1.7x (2.0x as of June 30, 2016).

The bond redemption will be financed by a partial prepayment in the amount of EUR 674 million of a Loan Note granted by Schaeffler AG to IHO Holding and from the use of cash available. After the transaction, the Loan Note will amount to approximately EUR 1 billion.

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, said: “With the envisaged debt reduction, we are taking a further step to reach our leverage target of less than 1.5x EBITDA earlier then expected. We are also getting closer towards achieving an Investment Grade rating for Schaeffler AG.“

Important Notice
This announcement does not contain or constitute an offer of, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for, securities to any person in Australia, Canada, Japan, or the United States of America or in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. Subject to certain exceptions, the securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States of America. The offer and sale of the securities referred to herein has not been and will not be registered under the applicable securities laws of Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States of America. There will be no public offer of the securities in any jurisdiction.

The securities referred to herein will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), or any U.S. State security laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.

This document has been prepared on the basis that there was no public offering in connection with this transaction nor will there be a public offering of the securities. No approved prospectus was or will be prepared in connection with this transaction. Any offer of securities in any Member State of the European Economic Area (”EEA”) which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (2003/71/EC), as amended, including any relevant implementing measures to implement the Directive 2010/73/EU, (each, a “Relevant Member State”) will only be made if no prospectus for offers of securities has to be published. Accordingly any person making or intending to make any offer in that Relevant Member State of securities which are the subject of the placement contemplated in this announcement may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for Schaeffler to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive (as amended by the Directive 2010/73/EU, to the extent such amendments have already been implemented in the Relevant Member State) or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive (as amended by the Directive 2010/73/EU, to the extent such amendments have already been implemented in the Relevant Member State), in each case, in relation to such offer. Schaeffler has not authorized, nor does it authorize, the making of any offer of securities in circumstances in which an obligation arises for Schaeffler to publish or supplement a prospectus for such offer.

Forward-looking statements and projections
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial consequences of the plans and events described herein. No one undertakes any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this press release. Statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or events should not be taken as representation that such trends or events will continue in the future. The cautionary statements set out above should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Schaeffler, or persons acting on its behalf, may issue.