Saturday, December 18, 2010

CIC Energy to merge with JSW Energy Natural Resources (BVI) Limited

The British Virgin Islands-registered company CIC Energy Corp. has entered into binding agreement with the India-based power company JSW Energy Limited.

Under the terms of the agreement, the transaction, which has been approved by the respective boards of directors of JSW and CIC Energy, was to be structured as a take-over bid, but according to supplementary agreement signed on December 16, 2010, the legal structure of completing the proposed acquisition has been changed to a merger.

CIC Energy agreed to support a merger of CIC Energy with JSW Energy Natural Resources (BVI) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW, with JSW (BVI) being the surviving entity as a result of the merger.

Upon the completion of the merger, the shareholders of the outstanding shares of the BVI company, including any shares pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options, will receive CDN$7.42 per share.

The offer of JSW represents a premium of 203% to the volume weighted average trading price for CIC Energy's shares on the TSX for the 30-trading day period ending September 14, 2010 – the day prior to the announcement of the first proposal received by the BVI company with respect to its acquisition. It represents a premium of 159% to the closing price of CIC Energy’s shares on the same date.

By this offer, the total equity of CIC Energy is valued at approximately CDN$422 million on 56.8 million shares. The Board of Directors of the company has determined to recommend acceptance of the offer by CIC Energy shareholders.

The Merger is expected to close no later than February 28, 2011.