Carlsberg To Raise $6.3bn

76. 3 million new B shares will be offered to investors for 400 kroner each.

Carlsberg has announced that it will
sell shares worth 30.5bn kroner ($6.3bn) to current investors, as it
looks to repay some of the debt it took on as part of the joint
purchase of Scottish & Newcastle. The Carlsberg Foundation, the
brewer's main shareholder, agreed to participate in the sale on a
„cash- neutral” basis by buying as many shares as it can afford
by selling so-called preemptive rights. Under the new company rules,
the foundation must hold at least 51% of the votes and more than 25%
of the shares, allowing Carlsberg to double its share capital and
sell stock for acquisitions. The brewer said it will use the proceeds
to repay an equity bridge facility of 28.7bn kroner and partially
repay a term loan facility arranged for the takeover.