
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIQUIDITY OPTION (AS DEFINED HEREIN) IN OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION IN OR FROM WHICH, OR TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO OR FROM WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR INVITATION UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OR OTHERWISE.
("EJFI" or the "Company")
Liquidity Option
Publication of Liquidity Option Memorandum
Further to the announcement on
The full text of the Chairman's letter that accompanies the Liquidity Option Memorandum is included below.
The Liquidity Option Memorandum which includes the Tender Form for use by Eligible Shareholders who hold Ordinary Shares in certificated form, has been sent to Shareholders. A copy of the Liquidity Option Memorandum will also be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and made available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism and on the Company's website: https://www.ejfi.com/.
Terms used and not defined in this announcement bear the meaning given to them in the Liquidity Option Memorandum.
ENQUIRIES
For the Investment Manager
mhargreaves@ejfcap.com / JGhatalia@ejfcap.com
+44 20 3752 6775 / +44 203 752 6776
For the Company Secretary and Administrator
+44 204 549 0721
For the Brokers
+44 203 100 2222
BarclaysInvestmentCompanies@barclays.com
+ 44 207 623 2323
Letter from the Chair
Dear Ordinary Shareholder,
Liquidity Option to purchase up to 5 per cent. of the issued Ordinary Shares of the Company
Introduction and background to the Liquidity Option
On
The Liquidity Option was approved by shareholders on
The Liquidity Option in this instance is being made at a Tender Price equal to a 5 per cent. discount to the prevailing Net Asset Value per Share as at
Terms not defined in the body of the Liquidity Option Memorandum have the meaning given to them in Part 8 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum.
The Liquidity Option Memorandum contains the terms and conditions of the Liquidity Option, with details of how Eligible Shareholders can tender Ordinary Shares for purchase if they wish to do so and certain information considered by the Company to be material to Eligible Shareholders.
Eligible Shareholders who do not wish to tender Ordinary Shares in the Liquidity Option should not complete or return a Tender Form or submit a TTE Instruction in CREST.
None of the Ordinary Shares held by the members of the Board will be tendered under the Liquidity Option. The Investment Manager has also informed the Board that none of the principals of the Investment Manager or
The Liquidity Option
The Board has arranged for Panmure Liberum to conduct the Liquidity Option for up to 5 per cent. of the Company's Shares in issue as at the date of the EGM at the Tender Price. The Company will pay the Tender Price in cash. Further details of the Liquidity Option are set out in Parts 3 and 4 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum.
The maximum number of Ordinary Shares to be acquired under the Liquidity Option is 3,057,260 Ordinary Shares, representing 5 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Ordinary Shares held in treasury) as at the date of the EGM (being 17 December 2024).
The purchase of Ordinary Shares under the Liquidity Option is expected to cause a modest uplift in NAV per Share for Shareholders who continue with their investment in the Company.
The Liquidity Option will only be open to Eligible Shareholders on the register at
The Liquidity Option is intended to enable those Shareholders (other than Sanctions Restricted Persons and Restricted Shareholders) who wish to sell some or all of their Ordinary Shares to elect to do so, subject to the overall limits of the Liquidity Option. Eligible Shareholders who successfully tender Ordinary Shares will receive the Tender Price per Share. The Tender Price has been set at this level to allow Eligible Shareholders who wish to realise a portion of their holding of Ordinary Shares to do so at a price close to NAV whilst providing for a modest uplift to NAV per Share for continuing Shareholders.
An Eligible Shareholder tendering up to their Basic Entitlement will have their tender satisfied in full. Any Eligible Shareholder tendering more than their Basic Entitlement will have their Excess Application satisfied if there are sufficient remaining Available Shares. Such Available Shares shall be apportioned to Eligible Shareholders pro rata to their Excess Applications should other Eligible Shareholders not tender the full amount of their Basic Entitlement and as a result of certain Overseas Shareholders and Sanctions Restricted Persons not being permitted to participate in the Liquidity Option.
Ordinary Shares that are tendered for acceptance under the Liquidity Option may not be sold, transferred, charged, lent or otherwise disposed of. Ordinary Shares that are tendered for acceptance under the Liquidity Option may only be withdrawn with the prior consent of the Board.
Shareholders' attention is drawn to the letter from Panmure Liberum in Part 2 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum and to the details set out in Parts 3 and 4 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum which, together (where applicable) with the Tender Form, constitute the terms and conditions of the Liquidity Option. Details of how to tender Ordinary Shares can be found in paragraph 4 of Part 4 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum.
In facilitating the Liquidity Option, Panmure Liberum will purchase the Shares which have been validly tendered, acting as principal, by means of an on-market purchase from tendering Eligible Shareholders and will sell the tendered Ordinary Shares acquired by it on to the Company pursuant to the terms of the Repurchase Agreement. All Ordinary Shares acquired by the Company from Panmure Liberum under the Repurchase Agreement will be cancelled.
Overseas Shareholders and Sanctions Restricted Persons
The Liquidity Option is not available to certain Overseas Shareholders or to Sanctions Restricted Persons. The attention of Overseas Shareholders is drawn to paragraph 10 of Part 4 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum.
US Shareholders
The Liquidity Option is available to US Shareholders in compliance with the applicable US tender offer rules under the Exchange Act, including Regulation 14E thereunder and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of English law and Jersey law, the
The attention of US Shareholders is drawn to the section titled "US Shareholders" on page 6 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum and paragraph 11 of Part 4 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum.
Taxation
Eligible Shareholders who sell Ordinary Shares in the Liquidity Option may, depending on their individual circumstances, incur a liability to taxation. The attention of Eligible Shareholders is drawn to Part 6 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum which sets out a general guide to certain aspects of current law and tax authority practice in respect of
Costs and expenses of the Proposals
The costs and expenses relating to the Liquidity Option, and assuming that the Liquidity Option is fully subscribed, are expected to be approximately
The costs and expenses relating to the Liquidity Option will be reflected in the calculation of the Tender Price per Ordinary Share, as explained in paragraph 1 of Part 3 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum, and so will be borne by Eligible Shareholders tendering Ordinary Shares in the Liquidity Option.
Tender Form
ELIGIBLE SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT WISH TO TENDER THEIR ORDINARY SHARES IN THE COMPANY SHOULD NOT COMPLETE OR RETURN A TENDER FORM OR SUBMIT A TTE INSTRUCTION IN CREST.
Only those Eligible Shareholders who wish to tender Ordinary Shares and who hold their Ordinary Shares in certificated form should complete and return a Tender Form. Those Eligible Shareholders who hold their Ordinary Shares in uncertificated form do not need to complete or return a Tender Form.
Eligible Shareholders who wish to participate in the Liquidity Option and hold their Ordinary Shares in certificated form should complete the Tender Form in accordance with the instructions set out thereon and return the completed Tender Form by post to the Receiving Agent at Computershare, Corporate Actions Projects,
Eligible Shareholders who wish to participate in the Liquidity Option and hold their Ordinary Shares in certificated form should also return their Share certificate(s) and/or other document(s) of title in respect of the Ordinary Shares tendered with their Tender Form.
Eligible Shareholders who wish to tender Ordinary Shares and hold their Ordinary Shares in uncertificated form (that is, in CREST) should arrange for the relevant Ordinary Shares to be transferred to escrow by means of a TTE Instruction as described in paragraph 4 of Part 4 of the Liquidity Option Memorandum.
THE DIRECTORS ARE MAKING NO RECOMMENDATION TO ELIGIBLE SHAREHOLDERS AS TO WHETHER THEY SHOULD TENDER ORDINARY SHARES IN THE LIQUIDITY OPTION. WHETHER ELIGIBLE SHAREHOLDERS DECIDE TO TENDER ORDINARY SHARES WILL DEPEND, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ON THEIR VIEW OF THE COMPANY'S PROSPECTS AND THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THEIR TAX POSITION. SHAREHOLDERS WHO ARE IN ANY DOUBT AS TO THE ACTION THEY SHOULD TAKE SHOULD CONSULT AN APPROPRIATE INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ADVISER.
EXPECTED TIMETABLE OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS
|
2025 |
Publication of the Liquidity Option Memorandum and the Liquidity Option opens |
12 September |
Announcement of the 31 August NAV |
on or around 19 September |
Last time and date for receipt of Tender Forms, settlement of TTE Instruction(s) from CREST and Tender Closing Date |
|
Liquidity Option Record Date |
|
Calculation Date |
14 October |
Completion of the Liquidity Option |
15 October |
Announcement of the results of the Liquidity Option |
15 October |
CREST settlement date: Payments through CREST made and CREST accounts settled |
27 October |
Cheques and balancing share certificates despatched to certificated Shareholders |
27 October |
The times and dates set out in the expected timetable and mentioned throughout the Liquidity Option Memorandum may, in certain circumstances, be adjusted by the Board (subject to advice from Panmure Liberum), in which event, details of the new times and dates will be notified, as required, to the
All references to times in the Liquidity Option Memorandum are to
About
EJFI's objective is to provide shareholders with attractive risk adjusted returns through regular dividends and capital growth over the long term. EJFI generates exposure primarily to a diversified portfolio of loans issued by financial institutions and related or similar assets in the
EJFI currently invests primarily in CDO Equity Tranches structured by an affiliate of
EJFI is a registered closed-ended limited liability company incorporated in Jersey under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, as amended, on
The JFSC has not reviewed or approved this announcement.
LEI: 549300XZYEQCLA1ZAT25
Investor information & warnings
The latest available information on the Company can be accessed via its website at www.ejfi.com.
Neither the content of the Company's website, nor the content on any website accessible from hyperlinks on its website for any other website, is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement nor, unless previously published by means of a regulatory information service, should any such content be relied upon in reaching a decision as to whether or not to acquire, continue to hold, or dispose of, shares in the Company.
This communication has been issued by, and is the sole responsibility of, the Company and is for information purposes only. It is not, and is not intended to be an invitation, inducement, offer or solicitation to deal in the shares of the Company. The price and value of shares in the Company and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested on disposal of shares in the Company. An investment in the Company should be considered only as part of a balanced portfolio of which it should not form a disproportionate part. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decision.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are made based upon the Company's expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and the Company's actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day they are made and the Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements unless required by law.ANY DECISION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIQUIDITY OPTION SHOULD ONLY BE MADE ON THE BASIS OF AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW BY AN ELIGIBLE SHAREHOLDER OF THE COMPANY'S PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION. NEITHER PANMURE LIBERUM NOR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE USE OF, OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION AS TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE COMPANY'S PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT NOTICE UP TO THE CLOSING DATE.
Overseas Shareholders
The distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. It is the responsibility of all Overseas Shareholders to satisfy themselves as to the observance of any legal requirements in their jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any relevant requirements in relation to the ability of such holders to participate in the Liquidity Option.
This announcement does not constitute any offer for or invitation to sell or purchase any securities, or any solicitation of any offer for, securities in any Restricted Jurisdiction. Any acceptance or other response to the Liquidity Option should be made only on the basis of information contained in or referred to in the Liquidity Option Memorandum which contains important information, including the full terms and conditions of the Liquidity Option, which Shareholders are urged to read carefully. It will not be distributed or sent in or into any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Liquidity Option will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facilities of a national securities exchange of,
Special notice to shareholders in
The Liquidity Option described in this announcement relates to securities in a non-US company which is registered in Jersey and listed on the
The Company has not been, and will not be, registered in
As permitted under the Tier II Exemption, the settlement of the Liquidity Option will be based on the applicable Jersey and English law provisions, which differ from the settlement procedures customary in
It may be difficult for US Shareholders to enforce certain rights and claims arising in connection with the Liquidity Option under US federal securities laws since the Company is located outside
To the extent permitted by applicable law and in accordance with normal
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Liquidity Option may be a taxable transaction for US federal income tax purposes. In addition, holders may be subject to US backup withholding and information reporting on payments with respect to the Liquidity Option made (or deemed made) within
Each US Shareholder should consult and seek individual tax advice from an appropriate professional adviser.
None of the Liquidity Option, the Liquidity Option Memorandum or this announcement has been approved, disapproved or otherwise recommended by the
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