Ceramic Fuel Cells Placing and Subscription to raise £9.0 million

 

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited
(“CFCL” or “the Company”)
Placing and Subscription to raise £9.0 million (A$20.1 million)

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, (AIM / ASX: CFU) a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission microgeneration products for homes, is pleased to announce that, subject to the approval of its shareholders, it proposes to raise approximately £9.0 million (A$20.1 million) gross by way of a placing of 207,986,051 new ordinary shares at 2.2 pence each with institutional investors underwritten by Nomura Code Securities Limited (the “Placing”) and by way of a subscription of 201,060,637 new ordinary shares at 2.2 pence (or A$0.05 as applicable) each with certain cornerstone investors in Europe and Australia (the “Subscription”).

The Company also intends to invite shareholders in Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe to participate in a further fundraising (at the same issue price as the Placing and Subscription) by way of a rights issue in Australia and an offer in the United Kingdom and Europe. The non-renounceable rights issue will raise up to A$10 million. The offer to United Kingdom and European holders will be to raise up to approximately £2.3 million. Full details of these offers will be announced in due course and shareholders will receive either a rights issue prospectus or an offer circular, as applicable.

The Company proposes to issue a total of 409,046,688 new ordinary shares with new and existing investors as part of the Placing and Subscription to raise approximately £8.6 million (A$19.1 million) after expenses. These new ordinary shares will represent 54% of the Company’s issued share capital as enlarged by the Placing and Subscription.

The new ordinary shares will be issued at a price of 2.2 pence (or A$0.05 as applicable) per share. This price was agreed by the lead cornerstone investor and represents a discount of 12% to the 30 day volume-weighted average price up to when the Company commenced pricing discussions with this investor.

The Company’s half yearly results for the six month period ended 31 December 2008 were also announced today. Please see separate announcement. The Financial Report and Directors’ Report are also available at www.cfcl.com.au.  

The proceeds from the Placing and Subscription will strengthen the Company’s balance sheet and working capital.  

When issued, the new fully paid ordinary shares will have the rights specified in the Company's constitution and will rank equally with the Company's existing ordinary shares.

Please click here for a link to the full statement