BCE announces $300 million offering of cumulative redeemable first preferred shares, series AK
MONTRÉAL, June 20, 2011 – BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to issue and sell 12,000,000 Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series AK (series AK preferred shares), at a price of $25.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $300 million on a bought deal basis to a syndicate of underwriters led by CIBC World Markets Inc., RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc.
The underwriters have been granted an over-allotment option to purchase at the offering price an additional 1,800,000 series AK preferred shares exercisable until the date that is 30 days following the closing. Should the over-allotment option be fully exercised, the total gross proceeds of the series AK preferred share offering will be $345 million.
The series AK preferred shares will pay on a quarterly basis (with the first quarterly dividend to be paid September 30, 2011), for the initial fixed rate period ending December 30, 2016, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of BCE, a fixed cash dividend based on an annual fixed dividend rate of 4.15%. The dividend rate will be reset on December 31, 2016 and every five years thereafter at a rate equal to the 5-year Government of Canada bond yield plus 1.88%. The series AK preferred shares will be redeemable by the issuer on or after December 31, 2016, in accordance with their terms.
Holders of the series AK preferred shares will have the right, at their option, to convert their shares into Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series AL, (series AL preferred shares) subject to certain conditions, on December 31, 2016 and on December 31 every five years thereafter. Holders of the series AL preferred shares will be entitled to receive quarterly floating adjustable cash dividends at a rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield plus 1.88%.
The series AK preferred shares will be offered for sale to the public in each of the provinces of Canada pursuant to a short form prospectus to be filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities in all Canadian provinces. The offering is scheduled to close on or about July 5, 2011, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals.
The net proceeds of this offering will be used for general corporate purposes.
The series AK preferred shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered, sold, or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement of such Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the expected issuance and sale
of preferred shares and the use of proceeds from the issuance. Forward-looking statements, by
their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several
assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ
materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.
As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and you are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The timing and
completion of the proposed issuance and sale of preferred shares referred to in this news release
is subject to customary termination rights and closing conditions and other risks and
uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe our
expectations at June 20, 2011 and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except
as may be required by Canadian securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions
to all their communications needs: Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell Satellite
TV and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business Markets
IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell Media is Canada’s
premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media, including
CTV, Canada’s #1 television network, and the country’s most-watched specialty channels.
The Bell Mental Health Initiative is a multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let's Talk anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit www.bell.ca/letstalk.
Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. BCE shares are listed in Canada and the United States. For BCE corporate information, please visit www.bce.ca. For Bell product and service information, please visit www.bell.ca. For Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.
Media inquiries:
Marie-Ève Francœur
Bell Media Relations
514 391-5263
marie-eve.francoeur@bell.ca
Investor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
BCE Investor Relations
(514) 870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca
SOURCE Corporate