CDON Group publishes listing prospectus and announces convertible bond issue
CDON Group AB (publ.) (‘CDON Group’ or ‘the Group’), today announced that its listing prospectus has been published and is available on www.cdongroup.com, www.mtg.se, and www.handelsbanken.se. CDON Group’s shares will begin trading on the Mid Cap market of Nasdaq OMX Stockholm under the symbol ‘CDON’ on Wednesday 15 December 2010.
CDON Group is being demerged from its former parent company Modern Times Group MTG AB (‘MTG’) by means of a dividend to MTG shareholders of all of the shares in CDON Group. MTG shareholders will receive one share in CDON Group for each MTG class A and/or class B share that they hold. MTG class C shareholders are not entitled to receive dividends.
Following an Extraordinary General Meeting of CDON Group shareholders held on 25 November 2010, CDON Group has issued a SEK 250.0 million convertible bond. MTG has subscribed for 100% of the bond issue. The convertible bond is unsubordinated, bears interest of 2.85 percent per annum, and is due to be repaid on 2 December 2015 if not redeemed or converted prior to maturity. The bonds may be converted by MTG into CDON Group shares between 15 June 2012 and 1 December 2015. The conversion rate has been set at 125 per cent of the volume-weighted CDON Group share price between 15 December 2010 and 14 January 2011 (the first 20 days of trading in CDON Group’s shares).
CDON Group has also concluded a three year marketing agreement with MTG’s subsidiary Viasat Broadcasting, whereby CDON Group will continue to advertise on MTG’s free-TV channels in Scandinavia, in order to promote its various internet stores.
CDON Group’s financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended 30 September 2010 are included in the listing prospectus, and CDON Group’s fourth quarter and full year 2010 financial results will be announced on 2 February 2011. CDON Group’s sales grew by 27% year on year to SEK 1,441 (1,131) million for the nine months ended 30 September 2010, and CDON Group’s operating income increased by 31% year on year to SEK 97 (75) million, with a stable operating margin of 7% (7%) for the nine month period.
Mikael Olander, President & CEO of CDON Group, commented: “We launched the CDON.COM brand more than ten years ago and the separate listing of our shares follows the rapid expansion of the business to become a market leading Nordic e-commerce player within the Entertainment, Fashion and Sports & Health areas. The convertible bond provides us with the resources to further develop our presence in attractive product and market segments, and to continue to capitalise on the migration of retail sales from the high street to the internet. We have a portfolio of well-known brands, as well as an efficient and scalable platform, which will enable us to continue to grow profitably in our existing and new markets. We look forward to life as a public company and the many opportunities that it will afford the Group.”
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ABOUT CDON GROUP
CDON Group, which comprises all of MTG’s internet retailing business, was launched in February 1999 through the introduction of CDON.COM, which initially sold music CDs via internet sites in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. CDON.COM is now the number one online retailer of entertainment products in the Nordic region, with a broad offering of DVDs, computer games, CDs, books and electronic products, as well as music downloads and on-demand film streaming services. Finnish internet book retailer BookPlus.fi was acquired in 2007 and Swedish online toy retailer Lekmer.se was acquired on 31 March 2010.
CDON Group’s Fashion business was established in 2007 with the acquisition of fashion retailer Nelly.com and children’s clothing retailer LinusLotta.com, whilst shoe retailer Heppo.com was launched on 31 August 2010. The Sports & Health business was established in 2008 with the acquisition of nutritional supplement retailer Gymgrossisten.com and dietary and health supplement retailer Bodystore.com.
Mikael Olander has been Chief Executive Officer of CDON.COM since 2000, and President of CDON Group (previously MTG Internet Retailing) since it was established in 2007.
Please visit www.cdongroup.com or www.mtg.se for further information about CDON Group and its businesses.
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For further information, please visit www.cdongroup.com or contact:
Mikael Olander, Chief Executive Officer
Martin Edblad, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +46 (0) 10 703 20 00
Investor & Analyst Enquiries:
Tel: +44 (0) 7791 138 486
Email: ir@cdongroup.com
Media Enquiries:
Fredrik Bengtsson
Tel: +46 (0) 70 080 7504
Email: fredrik.bengtsson@cdon.com
The information in this announcement is that which CDON Group AB is required to disclose under the Securities Markets Act. This information was released for publication at 08.00 CET on 10 December 2010.
CDON Group is one of the largest e-commerce businesses in the Nordic region. Established in 1999, the Group has continuously expanded its product portfolio and is now a leading e-commerce player in the Entertainment (www.CDON.COM , www.BookPlus.fi, www.Lekmer.com), Fashion (www.Nelly.com, www.LinusLotta.com, www.Heppo.com), and Sports & Health (www.Gymgrossisten.com, www.Fitnesstukku.fi, www.Bodystore.com) segments. CDON Group offers a market leading product range at competitive prices with quick delivery and high-quality customer service. CDON Group’s internet stores attract approximately two million customers a year across the Nordic region.