e425
Filed by Inco Limited
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
Subject Company: Falconbridge Limited
Commission File No. 1-11284
Inco Limited Commission File No. 1-1143
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Media:
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Media:
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Media & Investors: |
Peter J. Faur
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Steve Mitchell
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Denis Couture |
(602) 366-7993
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(416) 361-7950
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(416) 982-7020 |
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Investors:
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Investors: |
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Stanton K. Rideout
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Sandra Scott |
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(602) 366-8589
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(416) 361-7758 |
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For Immediate Release
Inco Enhances Offer for Falconbridge
Increases Cash by C$1.00 Per Share
Reduces Minimum Take-Up Condition to 50.01 Percent
Falconbridge Board Declares Special Dividend of C$0.75 Per Share
and Reaffirms Superiority of Inco Offer
Phelps Dodge Increases Bid for Inco by C$2.75 Per Share
Implied Value of Incos Enhanced Bid for Falconbridge Stands at C$63.43 Per Share
PHOENIX and TORONTO, July 17, 2006 Phelps Dodge Corp. (NYSE: PD), Inco Ltd. (TSX, NYSE: N) and
Falconbridge Ltd. (TSX, NYSE: FAL) announced today that all three companies have taken action to
improve the terms of their three-way combination. Phelps Dodge has increased the cash portion of
the consideration to be paid to the shareholders of Inco in the combination of Phelps Dodge and
Inco by C$2.75 per Inco share. Inco has increased the cash portion of its offer to purchase all
outstanding common shares of Falconbridge by C$1.00 per Falconbridge share, and the Falconbridge
board of directors has declared a special cash dividend of C$0.75 per Falconbridge common share.
Improved Terms
Under the improved terms, Phelps Dodge will acquire all outstanding common shares of Inco for a
combination of cash and common shares of Phelps Dodge having a value of C$80.70 per Inco share,
based upon the closing price of Phelps Dodge stock and the closing U.S./Canadian dollar exchange
rate on Friday, July 14, 2006. Shareholders of Inco will receive 0.672 shares of Phelps Dodge
stock plus C$20.25 per share in cash for each share of Inco stock. This represents a premium of
7.8 percent to Incos market price as of close of trading on July 14 and a premium of 23.7 percent
to Incos market price as of the close of trading on June 23, the last trading day before the
announcement of the combination of Phelps Dodge, Inco and Falconbridge.
-more-
Under its enhanced bid for Falconbridge, Inco is now offering C$18.50 plus 0.55676 shares of Inco
for each share of Falconbridge, assuming full proration of the consideration. With the
completion of both transactions, Falconbridge shareholders would receive an implied total
consideration on a look-through basis of C$63.43 per Falconbridge common share, consisting of:
(a) C$29.77 in cash; and (b) 0.3741 of a Phelps Dodge Inco Corp. common share (based on the closing
price of the Phelps Dodge common shares on the New York Stock Exchange and applicable U.S. Federal
Reserve U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rates on July 14, 2006).
Falconbridge Special Dividend
In order to further increase the value received by Falconbridge shareholders, the board of
Falconbridge declared a special cash dividend of C$0.75 per Falconbridge share payable on Aug. 10,
2006, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on July 26, 2006. The Falconbridge
board also has unanimously determined that Incos amended offer for the shares of Falconbridge is
superior to the unsolicited offer by Xstrata and unanimously recommends that Falconbridge
shareholders accept the Inco offer.
Reduction in Minimum Tender Condition
In addition, Inco has reduced the minimum condition in its offer for Falconbridge from two thirds
of the outstanding shares of Falconbridge to 50.01 percent of such outstanding shares on a fully
diluted basis. Phelps Dodge and Inco also amended their Combination Agreement so that the
combination of Phelps Dodge and Inco may be consummated before the acquisition by Inco of 100
percent of Falconbridge. Incos amended offer for Falconbridge will expire on July 27, 2006.
The three-way combination of Phelps Dodge, Inco and Falconbridge will create one of the worlds
leading mining companies and the largest based in North America. Phelps Dodge Inco will be the
worlds leading nickel producer, the largest publicly traded copper producer and a leading producer
of molybdenum and cobalt.
As part of the transaction, Phelps Dodge expects to repurchase up to US$5.0 billion of its shares
in the 12 months after closing.
J. Steven Whisler, chairman and chief executive officer of Phelps Dodge, said: We strongly
believe the combination of Phelps Dodge, Inco and Falconbridge represents a unique value-creation
opportunity for the shareholders of all three companies. Theres no question that the value of the
enhanced Inco offer for Falconbridge is superior to the unsolicited offer by Xstrata. In addition
to the value inherent in the offer, the Falconbridge shareholders will have the ability to
participate in the upside resulting from the three-way combination through their ownership of
almost 30 percent of the combined company, which includes a 30 percent share in the $900 million of
expected annual synergies, which in total have a net present value of approximately $5.8 billion.
Scott Hand, chairman and chief executive officer of Inco, said: Todays actions demonstrate our
shared commitment to create the leading North American-based mining company and a global powerhouse
in copper and nickel. Thats great news for our shareholders, for our employees, for our
communities and for Canada.
Derek Pannell, chief executive officer of Falconbridge, said: We are pleased with the actions
taken today by Phelps Dodge and Inco and by their affirmation of the value of Falconbridge. The
special dividend declared by our board today further enhances the expected return to our
shareholders. We are confident our shareholders will see the value in the combination of these
three companies to create Phelps Dodge Inco.
All required regulatory approvals for Incos acquisition of Falconbridge have been received.
Phelps Dodges offer to acquire Inco is expected to close in September, subject to Phelps Dodge and
Inco shareholder approval, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
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Phelps Dodge is one of the worlds leading producers of copper and molybdenum and is the largest
producer of molybdenum-based chemicals and continuous-cast copper rod. The company employs 13,500
people worldwide.
Inco is a primary metals company and the worlds second largest producer of nickel. It employs
12,000 people around the world at mining operations, production facilities, a research center and
through its marketing and sales network.
Falconbridge is a leading copper and nickel company with investments in fully integrated zinc and
aluminum assets. Its primary focus is the identification and development of world-class copper and
nickel ore bodies. It employs 14,500 people at its operations and offices in 18 countries.
Webcast
Management of Phelps Dodge, Inco and Falconbridge will host a webcast for investors at 9:00 a.m.
eastern time Monday, July 17, to discuss the details of the transaction. The webcast can be
accessed at www.phelpsdodgeinco.com.
# # #
Forward-Looking Statements
These materials include forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) including statements regarding,
among other things, the benefits of the combination with Inco and the combined companys plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions. All statements other than historical information are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on managements current
beliefs and expectations, speak only as of the date made, and are subject to a number of
significant risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified and are beyond our
control. Future developments and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in,
contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among
others, could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements
in this documents: (i) the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the combination on the
proposed terms and schedule; (ii) the failure of Incos shareholders to approve the plan of
arrangement; (iii) the failure of Phelps Dodges shareholders to authorize the issuance of Phelps
Dodge common shares, the change of Phelps Dodges name to Phelps Dodge Inco and an increase in the
size of Phelps Dodges board of directors as required under the combination agreement; (iv) the
risks that the businesses of Phelps Dodge and Inco and/or Falconbridge will not be integrated
successfully; (v) the risks that the cost savings, growth prospects and any other synergies from
the combination may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (vi) the
combined companys inability to refinance indebtedness incurred in connection with the combination
on favorable terms or at all; (vii) the possibility that Phelps Dodge will combine with Inco only;
(viii) the possible impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets resulting from the
combination and the resulting impact on the combined companys assets and earnings; and (ix)
additional factors that may affect future results of the combined company set forth in Phelps
Dodges, Incos and Falconbridges filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which
filings are available at the SECs Web Site at (www.sec.gov). Except as required by law, we are
under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise
any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Note: In connection with the proposed combination, Phelps Dodge Corporation (Phelps Dodge) has
filed a preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the SEC. Investors are urged to read the
definitive proxy statement (including all amendments and supplements to it) because it contains
important information. Investors may obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement when it
is filed, as well as other filings containing information about Phelps Dodge, Inco and
Falconbridge, without charge, at the SECs Web site (www.sec.gov). Copies of Phelps Dodges
filings may also be obtained without charge from Phelps Dodge at Phelps Dodges Web site
(www.phelpsdodge.com) or by directing a request to Phelps Dodge, One North Central Avenue, Phoenix,
Arizona 85004-4415, Attention: Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (602) 366-8100.
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Important Legal Information
This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of Incos proposed
combination with Falconbridge. Inco filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC), on October 24, 2005, and July 14, 2006, registration statements on Form F-8, which include
Incos offer and take-over bid circular, and has filed amendments thereto, which include notices of
extension and variation, and will file further amendments thereto as required, in connection with
the proposed combination with Falconbridge. The offer and take-over bid circular and the notices
of variation and extension have been sent to shareholders of Falconbridge Limited. Inco has also
filed, and will file (if required), other documents with the SEC in connection with the proposed
combination. Falconbridge has filed a Schedule 14D-9F in connection with Incos offer and has
filed, and will file (if required), amendments thereto and other documents regarding the proposed
combination, in each case with the SEC.
Investors and security holders are urged to read the registration statements and any other relevant
documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC when they become available because they will
contain important information.
Investors and security holders are urged to read Incos solicitation/recommendation statement on
schedule 14D-9 that Inco filed with the SEC on May 31, 2006, and any amendments Inco may file
thereto, as it contains, and such amendments, if any, will contain, important information regarding
Teck Comincos proposed combination with Inco.
This communication is not a solicitation of a proxy from any security holder of Inco or Phelps
Dodge in respect of Incos proposed combination with Phelps Dodge. Inco intends to file a
Management Information Circular regarding the proposed combination with the securities commissions
or equivalent regulatory authorities in Canada and to provide the Management Information Circular
to Inco shareholders and Phelps Dodge has filed a preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
regarding the proposed combination with the SEC. We urge investors to carefully read the
management information circular, and any amendments Inco may file thereto, when it becomes
available because it, and any such amendments, if any, will contain important information about
Inco, Phelps Dodge and the proposed combination. We urge investors to carefully read the Proxy
Statement, and any amendments Phelps Dodge may file thereto, because it and such amendments, if
any, will contain important information about Inco, Phelps Dodge and Incos proposed combination
with Phelps Dodge.
Inco, Phelps Dodge and their executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in
the solicitation of proxies from Inco and Phelps Dodge security holders in favor of Incos proposed
combination with Phelps Dodge. Information regarding the security ownership and other interests of
Incos and Phelps Dodges executive officers and directors will be included in the Management
Information Circular and Proxy Statement, respectively.
Investors and security holders may obtain copies of the offer and take-over bid circular, the
notices of variation and extension, the registration statement, the Solicitation/Recommendation
Statement and Incos, Falconbridges and Phelps Dodges other public filings made from time to time
by Inco, Falconbridge and Phelps Dodge with the Canadian Securities Regulators, at www.sedar.com,
and with the SEC at the SECs web site, www.sec.gov, free of charge. The proxy statement may also
be obtained free of charge at www.sec.gov and the Management Information Circular (when it becomes
available) may also be obtained free of charge at www.sedar.com. In addition, the offer and
take-over circular and the other disclosure documents may be obtained free of charge by contacting
Incos media or investor relations departments and copies of Phelps Dodges filings may be obtained
without charge from Phelps Dodge at Phelps Dodges Web site (www.phelpsdodge.com) or by directing a
request to Phelps Dodge, One North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-4415, Attention:
Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (602) 366-8100.
IN 06/33
July 16, 2006
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