Whitbread PLC
20 May 2015
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (OR TO U.S. PERSONS), AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN, OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH OFFERS OR SALES OF SECURITIES WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW
Whitbread PLC - issue of debt
Whitbread announces that it has today priced the issue of £450 million 3.375% bonds due 2025.
The bonds, which were priced at a spread of 1.50% over the relevant reference gilt, are expected to be rated BBB (stable) by Fitch and to be issued on 28 May 2015. They will be unsecured, issued by Whitbread Group PLC, and guaranteed by Whitbread PLC, Costa Limited and Premier Inn Hotels Limited. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
Commenting on the issue, Nicholas Cadbury, Group Finance Director, said "we are delighted by the success of this issue and by the strong support shown by bond investors in Whitbread. We recently announced new growth milestones for 2020 which highlight the scale of the opportunity ahead for the Group, and this bond issue will help finance our investment to achieve them".
For further information contact:
Investor Relations
Nicholas Cadbury, Group Finance Director +44 (0) 1582 888998
Joanne Russell, Director of Investor Relations +44 (0) 7785 451266
Chris Denley, Group Financial Controller +44 (0) 1582 889421
Press Contacts:
Anna Glover, Director of Communications +44 (0) 7768 917651
David Allchurch +44 (0) 207 353 4200
Important Notices
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
This press release is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this news release any of its contents.
This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. No action has been made or will be taken that would permit a public offering in the United States of the securities described herein.
