Ad-hoc | 26 January 2005 08:12
Allianz AG
Ad hoc announcement §15 WpHG
Sonstiges
Allianz AG
Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Not for distribution in the US, Canada, Australia or Japan
Allianz takes advantage of attractive capital market conditions to launch an
innovative financing transaction
In an “All-in-one” package, Allianz is launching three capital market
transactions totalling approximately EUR 4 billion. Allianz is thereby taking
advantage of currently attractive conditions in the capital markets. As a
result of these transactions, Allianz both reduces its exposure to equities as
well as overall group leverage. In addition, Dresdner Bank will further
reduce its non-strategic asset portfolio. The transaction will further
strengthen Allianz’s capital position on a group basis.
Reduction of equity gearing:
In order to further reduce its exposure to equities, Allianz is issuing a
three-year index linked note of up to EUR 1.2 billion today. The redemption
value of this security, BITES [Basket Index Tracking Equity-linked
Securities], is linked to the performance of the DAX. Allianz can choose to
redeem the notes in shares of BMW, Munich Re or Siemens. As a result of this
transaction, Allianz will further reduce its equity gearing.
De-leveraging of group:
Allianz will refinance part of this year’s EUR 2.7 billion maturing bonds
through the issuance of a subordinated bond in the amount of approximately EUR
1 billion. The bond will be in perpetual form with Allianz having the right
to call the bond after 12 years. The exact amount, coupon as well as yield
will be determined at the end of the book-building period. Attached to the
bond will be 11.2 million warrants on Allianz shares with a maturity of three
years. Following the issuance of this bond, the warrants will be detached and
placed in firm hands, thereby avoiding any material impact on the Allianz
share price. The bond ex-warrants will be placed with institutional investors.
Reduction of non strategic assets by Dresdner Bank:
Dresdner Bank will accomplish a further step in its strategy of reducing its
non strategic equity holdings. Dresdner Bank will sell 17.2 million Allianz
shares, with a current market value of approximately EUR 1.5 billion. The
investment bank in charge will place these shares in the market in the form of
a Mandatory Exchangeable. In addition, Dresdner Bank will transfer to Allianz
its stake of 7.3% in Munich Re, equivalent to approximately EUR 1.5 billion,
via an intra-group transaction.
These assessments are, as always, subject to the disclaimer provided below.
Allianz AG
Königinstr. 28
80802 München
Deutschland
ISIN: DE0008404005
WKN: 840400
Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime
Standard), Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart; EUREX; Swiss Exchange;
London; Paris; NYSE
End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 26.01.2005
Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad hoc announcement:
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN THE UNITED
STATES. THE OFFER AND SALE OF SECURITIES REFERRED TO IN THIS PRESS RELEASE
HAVE NOT BEEN, NOR WILL THEY BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE
OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. ANY PUBLIC OFFERING OF SECURITIES TO
BE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE BY MEANS OF A PROSPECTUS
THAT WOULD CONTAIN DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUER OF THE SECURITIES AND
ITS MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Any persons reading this
announcement should inform themselves of and observe any such restrictions.
STABILISATION/FSA
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain of the statements contained herein may be statements of future
expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on
management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to
differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. In
addition to statements which are forward-looking by reason of context, the
words ‘may, will, should, expects, plans, intends, anticipates, believes,
estimates, predicts, potential, or continue’ and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ
materially from those in such statements due to, without limitation, (i)
general economic conditions, including in particular economic conditions in
the Allianz Group’s core business and core markets, (ii) performance of
financial markets, including emerging markets, (iii) the frequency and
severity of insured loss events, (iv) mortality and morbidity levels and
trends, (v) persistency levels, (vi) the extent of credit defaults (vii)
interest rate levels, (viii) currency exchange rates including the Euro-U.S.
dollar exchange rate, (ix) changing levels of competition, (x) changes in laws
and regulations, including monetary convergence and the European Monetary
Union, (xi) changes in the policies of central banks and/or foreign
governments, (xii) the impact of acquisitions, including related integration
issues, (xiii) reorganization measures and (xiv) general competitive factors,
in each case on a local, regional, national and/or global basis. Many of these
factors may be more likely to occur, or more pronounced, as a result of
terrorist activities and their consequences. The matters discussed herein may
also involve risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Allianz
AG’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company
assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
No duty to update
The company assumes no obligation to update any information contained herein.
End of message (c)DGAP
260812 Jän 05