We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.
Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type | Share ISIN | Share Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dowgate | LSE:DGT | London | Ordinary Share | GB00B1VYT114 | ORD 7.5P |
Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.00 | 0.00% | 7.125 | 0.00 | 01:00:00 |
Industry Sector | Turnover | Profit | EPS - Basic | PE Ratio | Market Cap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
TIDMDGT TIDMASTR RNS Number : 2877V Dowgate Capital PLC 07 July 2009 Dowgate Capital plc 7 July 2009 Dowgate recommends acceptance of Astaire Offer Dowgate Capital plc ("Dowgate" or the "Company") is today posting a circular to shareholders in which the Directors recommend acceptance of the Offer from Astaire Group plc which has been made on the following basis: For every 10 Dowgate Shares: 30 pence in cash and 9 New Astaire Shares (the "Basic Offer") or For every 10 Dowgate Shares: 60 pence in cash and 3 New Astaire Shares (the "Alternative Offer") Whilst the Directors recommend acceptance of the Astaire Offer, they make no recommendation as to whether Shareholders should accept the Basic Offer or the Alternative Offer and recommend that Shareholders seek their own independent financial advice when deciding between the two forms of consideration.. Shareholders wishing to accept the Offer should refer to the Astaire Offer document dated 24 June 2009 which provides information about the procedure for acceptance of the Offer. Copies of the Dowgate circular, an extract of which is appended below, will be available on the Company's website, www.dowgatecapital.co.uk.. +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Enquiries: | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Dowgate Capital plc | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Neil Badger, Director | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Tel: 01293 517744 | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Nominated Adviser and Financial | | | Adviser to Dowgate Capital plc | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Grant Thornton UK LLP | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Philip Secrett / Colin | | | Aaronson/Salmaan Khawaja | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Tel: 020 7383 5100 | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ Dealing Disclosure Requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code"), if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of Astaire, or of Dowgate, all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of Astaire or Dowgate, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevant securities" of Astaire or of Dowgate by Astaire or Dowgate, or by any of their respective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevant securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. Grant Thornton UK LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for the Company and no-one else in connection with the Offer and, accordingly, will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections offered to clients of Grant Thornton UK LLP or for providing advice in relation to the Offer, the contents of this announcement, or any transaction, arrangement or matter referred to herein. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Grant Thornton UK LLP as to any of the contents of this document (without limiting the statutory rights of any person to whom this document is issued). LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dowgate Capital plc (Incorporated and registered in England & Wales with registered No. 4170143) +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Directors: | Registered Office: | | Ian Carysfort Buckley (Non-Executive | 46 Worship Street | | Chairman) | London EC2A 2EA | | 46 Worship Street | | | Neil Ivor Badger (Executive Director) | | +----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ 7 July 2009 To Dowgate Shareholders and, for information only, holders of options and warrants Dear Shareholder, 1. Introduction It was announced on 22 June 2009, that Astaire Securities PLC had made a formal offer on behalf of Astaire for the entire issued share capital of Dowgate on the following basis: For every 10 Dowgate Shares: 30 pence in cash and 9 New Astaire Shares (the "Basic Offer") or For every 10 Dowgate Shares: 60 pence in cash and 3 New Astaire Shares (the "Alternative Offer") On the basis of Astaire's closing share price of 4.75 pence on 6 July 2009, being the last practicable date prior to the date of this document, the Basic Offer values the Group at GBP2.87 million and the Alternative Offer values the Group at GBP2.93 million. The Basic Offer represents a value for each Dowgate Share of approximately 7.3 pence and the Alternative Offer represents a value of 7.4 pence for each Dowgate Share representing a premium of respectively circa 143 per cent. and 148 per cent. over the closing price of a Dowgate Share of 3.0 pence on 9 April 2009, being the last Business Day before the announcement by Dowgate that the Board had received an approach from a third party regarding a possible offer for Dowgate. The purpose of this letter is to explain the background to the Astaire Offer and the reasons why the Directors of Dowgate, who have been so advised by Grant Thornton, consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable. 2. Background to the Group Dowgate is a financial advisory and stockbroking business comprising two wholly-owned companies, DCA and DCS. DCA, formerly known as City Financial Associates Limited, was acquired by the Company in December 2001 as a start up operation. Its business has steadily developed a niche as an authorised AIM Nominated Adviser, PLUS Corporate Adviser, Sponsor, City Code specialist and financial adviser, working mainly but not exclusively with smaller quoted companies. DCA currently has a team of eight corporate finance specialists. It operates from offices at 46 Worship Street, London EC2A 2EA. DCA currently has 42 retained clients where, for the most part it acts as Nominated Adviser, PLUS Corporate Adviser or Sponsor and, in addition, it manages corporate finance transactions for both retained and other clients. DCA's key employees are Tony Rawlinson, James Caithie and Liam Murray. DCS, formerly known as Seymour Pierce Ellis Limited, was acquired by the Company in October 2006, principally to enhance the Group's ability to raise funds for corporate advisory clients. DCS is a private client agency stockbroker that also specialises in the provision of corporate broking services to AIM and PLUS traded companies. DCS's main fee earner is Clive Mattock and DCS has historically been reliant on Mr Mattock for generating a significant proportion of its revenues. In view of his significance to the profitability of the DCS business, on 28 September 2006 Mr Mattock entered into a three year service contract with DCS under which he would devote himself full time to providing his services to DCS. This agreement is terminable on six months' notice, such notice to take effect no earlier than 28 September 2009. In order to broaden its reach, particularly to institutional clients, DCS established a City based corporate broking business in March 2008 based at Dowgate's offices at 46 Worship Street. Unfortunately, this development took place shortly before the onset of the present global financial crisis and the effective closure of equity capital markets for smaller quoted companies and, whilst it added significantly to the Group's overheads, it generated very limited new income. 3. Financial information on the Group Results for the three years ended 31 December 2008 are available on the Company's website, +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | www.dowgatecapital.co.uk and are | | | | | summarised below: | | | | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | | GBP'000 | GBP'000 | GBP'000 | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | Financial Advisory | | | | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | Revenue | 2,551 | 2,740 | 2,896 | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | Segmental profit | 371 | 474 | 702 | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | Broking | | | | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | Revenue | 2,548 | 3,511 | 673 | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | Segmental profit/(loss) | (2,725) | 713 | 152 | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | Head office costs | (423) | (174) | (39) | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | Group Revenue | 5,099 | 6,251 | 3,569 | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ | Group profit/(loss) before tax | (2,777)* | 1,013 | 815 | +-------------------------------------------+--------------+-----------+----------+ * Group trading loss (before tax, impairment charges, exceptional costs and the cost of share based payments) amounted to GBP390,000. The Directors believe that the medium term prospects for a niche corporate advisory and broking business such as the Group remain positive. However market conditions in 2009 have been very difficult and, whilst they are likely to improve, conditions are expected to remain challenging in the short term. 4. Background to and reasons for recommending the Offer Dependence on key personnel The Directors recognise the challenges facing smaller businesses providing financial advisory and stockbroking businesses and in particular their dependence on key personnel. As has been stated above, DCS is dependent to a large extent for its revenues and profits on Clive Mattock, who is entitled to leave the Group on six month's notice. Mr Mattock has indicated that he considers that his operations would benefit from being part of a larger group such as Astaire and has given an irrevocable undertaking to accept the Offer. DCA is dependent to a large extent on four qualified executives, in particular, Tony Rawlinson, James Caithie and Liam Murray. Shortly before the announcement by Astaire (formerly Blue Oar plc) on 16 April 2009 of a possible offer for the Company, the Company was about to publish a circular to Shareholders recommending the sale of DCA to a company owned beneficially by, inter alios, Tony Rawlinson, James Caithie and Liam Murray. However, once an approach from Astaire was received, the potential management buy-out of DCA was terminated. Tony Rawlinson resigned from the Board of the Company on 30 June 2009 and, unless otherwise agreed, will leave the Group on 31 October 2009. James Caithie and Liam Murray will leave the Group eight weeks after the Offer becomes unconditional as to acceptances, should it do so, unless otherwise agreed. In considering the terms of the Offer, the Directors have had regard to the dependence of the Company on key individuals who are responsible for many of the Group's key client relationships. Market conditions In considering the alternatives open to Shareholders, the Directors have also taken into account the risks facing the financial services sector in general and financial advisory and stockbroking businesses such as the Group. The historical financial performance of DCA has depended to a significant extent on the buoyancy and levels of activity of AIM. AIM market conditions have resulted in a number of AIM companies deciding to cancel their admission to AIM. Additionally, clients are keen to preserve cash and are seeking to reduce costs, including AIM related fees. Furthermore, the number of companies seeking a quotation on AIM has significantly reduced compared to previous years. As a result, the Group's business, in common with other specialist AIM advisers, has experienced a major downturn and the timing of the recovery is uncertain. As stated in the Chairman's statement in the Company's 2008 annual report, although DCA traded satisfactorily up to the end of 2008, trading conditions in the first 4 months of 2009 were significantly more challenging. Similarly, trading conditions remained harsh for DCS in the first quarter of 2009 with total income declining further. However, private client trading volumes have increased since mid March 2009. In making their recommendation, the Directors had regard to the risks facing smaller organisations such as the Group as compared to larger, better capitalised research-based companies. Future prospects On 22 May 2009, the Board stated that it believed the Astaire approach was opportunistic and undervalued Dowgate. The Directors continue to believe that the Offer does not fully reflect the potential future value of the Group, particularly if revenues and profits were to reach and grow beyond levels reached in 2007. However, in making their recommendation, the Directors recognise the risks attaching to the Group and the benefits of an immediate and more certain return that Shareholders would receive in cash should the Offer go unconditional as to acceptances, compared with the longer term and less certain prospects should Shareholders choose to retain their investment in the Company. Effect of the approach by Astaire The approach by Astaire has taken up significant management time and has forced the Group to incur substantial professional fees while the Directors have sought to negotiate an improved offer for Shareholders and to meet their obligations under the City Code. The Directors believe that these factors will have an adverse effect on the financial performance of the Group in the short to medium term. Share price performance and related considerations In October 2008, the Company's share price was 10.25 pence and fell to a low of 3.0 pence per Dowgate Share in April 2009. Whilst it is possible that the Dowgate share price may in the future be worth more than the current value of the Offer, there is a risk that the share price may not increase for a considerable time, if at all. In addition, in making their recommendation the Directors have had regard to the following: * the Offer represents a premium of almost 150 per cent. over the closing price of Dowgate Shares on 9 April 2009 (being the last Business Day before the announcement by the Company that the Board had received an approach from a third party regarding a possible offer for the Company); * the Offer also removes the risk of further share price deterioration resulting from market conditions and potential losses within Dowgate; * there is limited trading and liquidity in Dowgate Shares; * as at 3 July 2009, Astaire owned or had received irrevocable undertakings to accept the Offer in respect of 27.8 per cent. of Dowgate Shares; * as at 3 July 2009, Astaire held approximately 10.9 per cent. of Dowgate Shares. If the Offer does not go unconditional as to acceptances, there is a risk that Astaire could seek to dispose of its Dowgate Shares, which may put further downward pressure on the share price; and * by accepting the Offer, Shareholders can dispose of their Dowgate Shares without dealing costs. Alternatives available to the Group Although no formal sale process was undertaken, since the approach by Astaire, the Directors have received several other approaches for all or part of the Group. However, as at the date of this document, no firm offer has been received and all discussions have been terminated. Accordingly, in view of the challenging market conditions, the difficulty faced by many potential buyers in accessing finance and the lack of an alternative offer for the Company, should the Offer fail to go unconditional as to acceptances, there can be no certainty that an alternative offer would be forthcoming. 5. Information on Astaire Astaire is the holding company of a group of businesses engaged in stockbroking and corporate advisory work. On 8 December 2008 an offer was announced for Astaire by Evolve Capital plc that led to Evolve Capital plc becoming the beneficial owner of approximately 65 per cent. of the Astaire shares in issue. As its major shareholder, Evolve Capital plc has instituted strategic and management changes within Astaire. Astaire announced its results for the year ended 31 December 2008 on 15 April 2009. These included a loss before tax of GBP16.1 million and an underlying loss of GBP3.3 million before impairment of goodwill, share based payments, amortisation of intangibles and certain other costs, on turnover of GBP15.0 million. As at that date, the Astaire Group had net assets of GBP20.1 million, including cash and cash equivalents of GBP13.6 million. Over the last 12 months, Astaire's share price has been as high as 13 pence in December 2008 and has fallen as low as 3.25 pence per share in February 2009. The Directors do not know how Astaire will perform in 2009 and beyond and cannot assess the value at which Shareholders could dispose of any New Astaire Shares they acquire. The Directors believe that Astaire enjoys similar opportunities and is subject to similar market risks as Dowgate. However, in addition to the effect of the general risks facing such businesses, including risks relating to regulatory approvals and authorisations, the Directors are unable to assess the effect that recent management changes and the public censure and fine on Astaire, announced on 22 June 2009, will have on its business. In order to enable it to assess the value of the Astaire securities offered under the Offer, the Company requested information from Astaire that it declined to provide. Accordingly, in making their recommendation, the Directors have only relied on publicly available information on Astaire. 6. The Basic Offer and the Alternative Offer The Basic Offer comprises 30 pence in cash and 9 New Astaire Shares for every 10 Dowgate Shares, which values the Group at GBP2.87 million, based on Astaire's closing share price of 4.75 pence on 6 July 2009, being the last practicable date prior to the date of this document. On the same basis, the Alternative Offer, which comprises 60 pence in cash and 3 New Astaire Shares for every 10 Dowgate Shares, values the Group at GBP2.93 million. In the Offer Document Astaire stated its belief that there is an attractive market opportunity for companies that combine the provision of advisory and stockbroking services to smaller publicly listed companies and the institutions that invest therein, with the provision of wealth management and broking services to private clients. In that document, Astaire also articulated the reasons why it believes that it will prosper when markets recover. The future performance of a business is subject to risks and uncertainties. The price of Astaire securities can fall as well as rise and will depend on factors outside of the control of Astaire and there could be limited liquidity in the shares at the time that Shareholders seek to sell their New Astaire Shares. Even if Astaire prospers as its board anticipates and even if the price of its securities were to rise, there can be no certainty as to when, if ever, Shareholders will be able to sell their New Astaire Shares for more than the current price. Whether Shareholders should accept the Basic Offer or the Alternative Offer will depend upon their own investment objectives as well as other factors. The Directors give no recommendation as to whether Shareholders should accept the Basic Offer or the Alternative Offer and recommend that Shareholders seek their own independent financial advice when deciding between the two forms of consideration being offered. 7. Astaire's intentions towards directors, management, employees and locations The Directors welcome the importance attached by Astaire to the skills and experience of existing Dowgate management and Astaire's statement that its current plans do not involve any change to the conditions and employment of Dowgate's employees and that their contractual rights will be fully safeguarded. They also welcome the present intention of Astaire to maintain Dowgate's current locations although recognise that this is subject to review. 8. Irrevocable Undertakings On 22 May 2009, Astaire announced that it had received irrevocable undertakings to accept, or procure the acceptance of the Offer in respect of, in aggregate, 6,667,281 Dowgate Shares, representing 16.9 per cent. of Dowgate Shares. As at the close of business on 3 July 2009, (being the last practicable date prior to the posting of this document), Astaire owned 4,316,794 Dowgate Shares, representing 10.93 per cent. of Dowgate Shares. Accordingly, Astaire already holds or has received irrevocable undertakings in respect of 10,984,075 Dowgate Shares representing approximately 27.8 per cent. of Dowgate Shares. 9. Cancellation of Dowgate's AIM admission and compulsory acquisition The Offer is subject to a 90 per cent. acceptance condition. If the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and if Astaire receives acceptances in respect of 90 per cent. or more of all Dowgate Shares which are subject to the Offer, it intends compulsorily to acquire the remaining shares. However, the 90 per cent. condition may be waived by Astaire, who may still seek to have cancelled the Company's admission to AIM. Shareholders should be aware that if they do not accept the Offer, there is a risk that they may hold shares in a company whose shares are no longer traded on a public market. The cancellation of the admission to trading of Dowgate Shares on AIM would significantly reduce the liquidity and marketability of any Dowgate Shares which are not acquired under the Offer and the Directors believe that their value would be likely to be materially and adversely affected as a consequence. 10. The Directors' recommendation The Directors, who have been so advised by Grant Thornton, consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In providing such advice Grant Thornton has taken into account the commercial assessment of the Directors. Accordingly, the Directors unanimously recommend that you accept the Offer, as they intend to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings of, in aggregate, 1,237,179 shares, representing approximately 3.13 per cent. of Dowgate Shares. However, the Directors express no opinion as to whether Shareholders should accept the Basic Offer or the Alternative Offer. Shareholders are recommended to seek their own independent financial advice when deciding whether to accept the Basic Offer or the Alternative Offer. Yours faithfully Ian Buckley Chairman DEFINITIONS +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "AIM" | the market of that name operated by London | | | Stock Exchange plc | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Astaire" | Astaire Group plc | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Astaire Offer" or "Offer" | the offer to acquire Dowgate made by Astaire | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Astaire Group" | Astaire and its subsidiaries | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Board" or "Directors" | the board of directors of the Company whose | | | names are set out in paragraph 2 of Part 2 of | | | this document | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Business Days" | a day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public | | | holidays) on which banks are generally open | | | for business in the City of London | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Dowgate Shares" | ordinary shares of 7.5p each in the capital of | | | the Company, | | | excluding shares held in treasury | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "DCA" | Dowgate Capital Advisers Limited | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "DCS" | Dowgate Capital Stockbrokers Limited | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "City Code" or "Code" | the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Company" or "Dowgate" | Dowgate Capital plc | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "FSA" | the Financial Services Authority | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Grant Thornton" | Grant Thornton UK LLP | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Group" | the Company, DCA and DCS | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "New Astaire Shares" | the new ordinary shares of 0. 1p each in the | | | capital of Astaire to be issued pursuant to | | | the Astaire Offer | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "PLUS" | the primary market operated by PLUS Markets | | | plc | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "Shareholders" | holders of Dowgate Shares | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "the Offer Document" | the Offer document issued by Astaire in | | | respect of the Astaire Offer on 24 June 2009 | | | | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ | "the Offer Period" | the Offer period for the purposes of the Code, | | | which commenced on 14 April 2009 | +-------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+ This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange END OUPEDLFBKDBZBBQ
1 Year Dowgate Capital Chart |
1 Month Dowgate Capital Chart |
It looks like you are not logged in. Click the button below to log in and keep track of your recent history.
Support: +44 (0) 203 8794 460 | support@advfn.com
By accessing the services available at ADVFN you are agreeing to be bound by ADVFN's Terms & Conditions