PRESS RELEASE: BIGBEN: DISTRIBUTION OF DIVIDEND IN KIND OF NACON
SHARES
Press release
Lesquin, 16 June 2023, 6:00 p.m.
Distribution of dividend in kind of Nacon
shares
BIGBEN INTERACTIVE ("BBI" or the
"Company") informs its shareholders of the technical details of the
distribution of a dividend in kind of NACON (“Nacon”)
shares.
At the annual general
meeting convened for 21 July 2023 (the "General Meeting"),
BBI’s Board of Directors will
ask its shareholders to
approve the distribution of a
dividend in kind in the form of Nacon shares at the rate of one (1)
Nacon share for every five (5) BBI shares held, the terms and
conditions of which are described below.
This dividend in kind of Nacon shares
will be paid on 28 July 2023.
The Nacon shares distributed would
represent approximately 4.25% of Nacon’s
share capital and voting rights.
Following this distribution, BBI would
retain around 52,917,3581 Nacon
shares, representing approximately 60.87% of share capital and
71.48% of voting
rights2.
BBI shareholders are invited to refer to the
2022 universal registration document filed with the Autorité
des Marchés Financiers on 22 June 2022 under
number D.22-0545 and the press releases published by Nacon
since this date for all information relating to Nacon. These
documents are available on Nacon’s website
(https://corporate.nacongaming.com/espace-investisseurs/).
This press release does not constitute an offer
to sell or subscribe for, or the solicitation of an offer to
acquire or subscribe for any shares of Nacon, or a solicitation to
obtain consent or a favourable vote to approve the distribution
described in this press release, including in any jurisdiction
where such solicitation is not permitted under the laws of that
country or territory.
United States of America
No shares, securities or other instruments may
be offered, sold or transferred in the United States of America
unless they are registered or exempt from registration under the
U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Nacon shares that are
the subject of the distribution in kind have not been and will not
be registered in the United States of America under the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the distribution in kind
has not been approved or refused by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) or any other state securities commission
in the United States of America, and neither such commissions nor
the SEC has reviewed the accuracy or adequacy of this report. Any
representation to the contrary may be a criminal offence in the
United States of America.
Member States of the European Economic
Area
This report does not constitute a prospectus or
any other offering document within the meaning of Regulation (EU)
2017/1129 (as amended) and should not be relied upon as containing
all the information necessary for a potential investor to evaluate
the suitability of an investment in BBI or Nacon or to be included
in a prospectus prepared in accordance with the provisions of
Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended).
1. TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE DIVIDEND IN KIND
1.1. Features of
the Distribution in KindBBI holds 56,616,0033 Nacon
shares, representing, based on the number of shares and voting
rights comprising Nacon’s share capital as at 31 May 2023, 65.12%
of share capital and 74.83% of voting rights. The shares comprising
the share capital of Nacon are ordinary shares, all of the same
class, fully paid up, and admitted to trading on compartment B of
the Euronext Paris regulated market under ISIN
code FR0013482791.
At the General Meeting, BBI shareholders will be
asked to vote on the distribution of a dividend in kind represented
by Nacon shares at the rate of one (1) Nacon share for every five
(5) BBI shares held, subject to the Ceiling (as defined below) (the
"Distribution in Kind").
Based on the information available as at 31 May
2023, the Distribution in Kind would therefore relate to
approximately 3,698,645 Nacon shares4 (out of the 56,616,003 Nacon
shares held by BBI as at that date, representing around 6.5% of the
Nacon shares held by BBI). Upon completion of the Distribution in
Kind, assuming that the exchange ratio of one (1) Nacon share for
every five (5) BBI shares remains unchanged, BBI would retain
around 52,917,358 Nacon Shares, representing 60.87% of share
capital5 and 71.48% of voting rights.
The ex-dividend date will be 26 July 2023 and
the Distribution in Kind will be paid on 28 July 2023 (the
“Payment Date”).
The Distribution in Kind will benefit all BBI
shareholders whose shares have been registered in their name at the
end of the trading day preceding the Payment Date, i.e. 27 July
2023 (the “Beneficiaries of the Distribution in
Kind”). BBI shares bought on Euronext up to 25 July 2023
inclusive will also be eligible for the Distribution in Kind (the
“Record Date”).
In the event of a division of the ownership of
Nacon shares, the beneficiary of the Distribution in Kind will be
the bare owner (nu-propriétaire), unless otherwise agreed.
Shareholders are advised to consult their usual advisor on these
matters.
BBI shares held in treasury on the Record Date
will not be entitled to the Distribution in Kind.
The amount corresponding to the Distribution in
Kind:
(i) will be
determined by multiplying the number of Nacon shares distributed
(whether delivered to BBI shareholders or sold as fractional
shares) by the opening price of the Nacon shares on the Payment
Date; (ii) will be charged to
"Retained Earnings", it being specified it will be proposed at the
General Meeting that all net income for the financial year ended 31
March 2023 be allocated to “Retained earnings”;
and(iii) may not exceed the
amount of the net income for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
and retained earnings, i.e. a total net amount estimated at
EUR 32,154,399 (the "Ceiling"). In the event
that the amount of the Distribution in Kind exceeds this Ceiling,
the Board of Directors of BBI shall have full powers to adjust the
aforementioned exchange ratio so that the amount distributed does
not exceed the Ceiling. This would be the case if the opening price
of the Nacon shares on the Payment Date exceeded EUR 8.69
based on a maximum distributable amount of EUR 32,154,399 and
on the assumption that around 3,698,645 Nacon shares would be
distributed.
BBI will issue a press release on the morning of
the Payment Date once the opening price of the Nacon shares is
ascertained, to confirm the exchange ratio for the Distribution in
Kind and, in the event that the exchange ratio is adjusted, to
inform shareholders of any potential changes to the timetable for
the Distribution in Kind.
Rights forming fractional shares shall not be
tradable or assignable. Accordingly, if the allocation to which a
shareholder is entitled by application of the exchange ratio
applied is not a whole number of Nacon shares (i.e. a holding of
fewer than five (5) BBI shares or not corresponding to a multiple
of five (5)), the shareholder shall receive the number of Nacon
shares immediately below this amount, together with a cash payment
for the balance, the amount of which will be calculated on the
basis of the price at which the Nacon shares corresponding to the
fractional shares will have been sold. Shareholders holding fewer
than five (5) BBI shares on the evening of the Record Date will
therefore only receive a cash payment.
For illustrative purposes only and assuming a
theoretical opening price of the Nacon shares of
EUR 2.256:
- a shareholder holding 4 BBI shares
would not receive any Nacon shares but just a balancing payment,
the amount of which will depend on the date the Centralising Bank
or its financial institution, as the case may be, sells the
fractional shares to which it is entitled; and
- a shareholder holding 6 BBI shares
would receive one (1) Nacon share and a balancing payment for the
remainder, the amount of which will depend on the date the
Centralising Bank or its financial institution, as the case may be,
sells the fractional shares to which it is entitled.
1.2. Timetable for
the Distribution in KindThe indicative timetable for the
Distribution in Kind is as follows:
16 June 2023 |
Publication of the first meeting notice (avis de réunion) in the
BALO (French official bulletin of legal notices) |
5 July 2023 |
Publication of the second meeting notice (avis de convocation) in
the BALO convening the General Meeting |
19 July 2023 |
Start of the suspension period of the liquidity agreement |
21 July 2023 |
General Meeting |
26 July 2023 |
Ex-dividend date of the Distribution in Kind |
27 July 2023 |
Record Date |
28 July 2023 |
Payment Date of the Distribution in KindEnd of the suspension
period of the liquidity agreement |
2. PAYMENT OF THE
DISTRIBUTION IN KINDThe payment of the Distribution in
Kind will take place as of the Payment Date, i.e. 28 July 2023, in
accordance with the conditions specified below.
The bank responsible for the centralisation in
connection with the Distribution in Kind (the "Centralising
Bank") is Uptevia, 9 rue du Débarcadère - 93761
Pantin Cedex.
For Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind
holding BBI shares in bearer or administered registered form:
- the Centralising Bank will credit,
via Euroclear France, each financial institution holding an account
(i) on the Payment Date, the whole number of Nacon shares
corresponding to its position in BBI shares duly registered with
Euroclear France at the end of the Record Date, applying the
exchange ratio of one (1) Nacon share for every five (5) BBI shares
registered in the account of the financial institution holding the
relevant account and (ii) the amount of the cash balancing payment
due to this financial institution holding the account, as of the
sale of the shares corresponding to fractional shares after
distribution between the financial institutions holding the Nacon
shares corresponding to multiples of five (5) BBI shares;
- following which, each of the
account-holding financial institutions will credit each of its
clients first with (i) the whole number of Nacon shares
corresponding to multiples of five (5) BBI shares registered in its
books in the name of the client concerned and then (ii) the amount
of the cash balancing payment due to this client, the amount of
which will be based on the sale price of the shares corresponding
to fractional shares after distribution of the Nacon shares
corresponding to multiples of five (5) BBI shares between its
clients.
For Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind
holding their BBI shares in issuer registered form:
- the Centralising Bank, acting as
financial institution in charge of keeping the register of issuer
registered shareholders, will (i) credit, as of the Payment Date,
the account of each of the Beneficiaries of the Distribution in
Kind holding issuer registered BBI shares with the Nacon shares
corresponding to multiples of five (5) BBI shares held in issuer
registered form by the Beneficiary concerned and (ii) credit the
accounts of each of the Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind
concerned with the net amount of the balancing payment due, if
applicable, the amount of which will be based on the sale price of
the shares corresponding to fractional shares after the
distribution between the Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind
of the Nacon shares corresponding to multiples of five (5) BBI
shares.
The Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind,
regardless of how BBI shares are held, must pay, as the case may
be, to their authorised financial intermediary or to BBI, through
Uptevia, social security contributions and/or the flat rate tax or
withholding tax payable in respect of the Distribution in Kind.
Where applicable, the authorised financial intermediary responsible
for maintaining the bearer or administered registered share
accounts, or BBI, through Uptevia, responsible for maintaining the
issuer registered share accounts, may sell the number of Nacon
shares necessary to pay social security contributions and/or flat
rate tax or withholding tax due in respect of the Distribution in
Kind.
Shareholders who wish to sell the Nacon shares
received under the Distribution in Kind should contact their usual
financial advisor and/or their financial institution holding the
account.
3. TAX TREATMENT OF THE
DISTRIBUTION IN KIND7
The following discussion summarises the French
tax consequences that may apply to BBI shareholders as a result of
the Distribution in Kind, based on the legislation in force at this
time. The rules described below are subject to change and new laws
or regulations could be retroactive or apply to the current
calendar or financial year.
BBI shareholders are advised that the tax
information contained in this Section 3 is only a summary of
the tax provisions applicable under current legislation and is
provided for general information purposes only. Accordingly, the
tax information below does not constitute a comprehensive
description of all tax impacts that may apply to BBI shareholders
as a result of the Distribution in Kind.
BBI shareholders are advised to consult their
usual tax advisor on the tax consequences applicable to their
particular circumstances.
In addition, persons who are not French tax
residents must refer to (i) the provisions of the applicable tax
treaty concluded between their own State of residence and France;
(ii) the provisions of French tax legislation; and (iii) the
legislation of their State of residence and/or nationality that may
apply to them so that they may determine their applicable tax
regime. These persons should seek advice from their usual tax
advisor regarding the applicable tax treatment for the Distribution
in Kind.
3.1. Shareholders
with tax residence in
France3.1.1. Natural
persons holding BBI shares as part of their private assets and not
carrying out stock market transactions under conditions similar to
those characterising an activity carried out by a person
professionally engaged in such
transactions3.1.1.1. 12.8%
withholding taxPursuant to Article 117c of the French Tax Code
(CGI), subject to the exceptions mentioned below, natural persons
domiciled in France are subject to a mandatory 12.8% non-final
withholding tax (prélèvement forfaitaire non libératoire or
“PFNL”) on the gross amount of distributed
income.
This withholding is made by the paying agent of
the income when located in France.
When the paying agent of the income is
established outside of France, the income is declared and the
corresponding withholding tax is paid within the first 15 days of
the month following the month of the payment of the income, either
by the taxpayer him/herself or by the paying agent, when that
entity is established in a Member State of the European Union or in
another Member State of the European Economic Area Agreement that
has entered into an administrative assistance agreement with France
to combat tax evasion and tax fraud and has received instructions
to this effect by the taxpayer. BBI shareholders who find
themselves in this situation should contact their financial
intermediary to find out what processes they will put into place in
this respect.
Natural persons belonging to a tax household
whose reference taxable income (revenu fiscal de référence) for the
second-to-last tax year, as defined in 1° of IV of
Article 1417 of the French Tax Code, is less than
EUR 50,000 for taxpayers who are single, divorced or widowed,
or EUR 75,000 for couples filing jointly, may request an
exemption from this withholding tax in accordance with
Article 242c of the French Tax Code by providing the paying
agent, no later than 30 November of the year preceding the year of
the payment of the distributed income, with a sworn statement that
the reference taxable income shown on the tax notice issued in
respect of the second-to-last year preceding the year of payment
was below the above-mentioned taxable income thresholds.
When the paying agent is established outside
France, only natural persons belonging to a tax household whose
reference taxable income for the penultimate year, as defined in 1°
of IV of Article 1417 of the French Tax Code, is equal to or
more than the amounts mentioned in the previous paragraph are
subject to this tax.
The withholding tax does not apply to income
related to BBI shares held in French share savings plans (Plan
d’Épargne en Actions or “PEA”) subject to
compliance with the conditions of application of the plan specific
to the PEA.
3.1.1.2. Income
taxThe final taxation of dividends is determined based on the
information reported in the income tax return filed the year
following the year in which the dividend income is received.
Pursuant to 1 of the Article 200 A of the
French Tax Code, dividends are, in principle, subject to the 12.8%
single flat rate of withholding tax (prélèvement forfaitaire unique
or “PFU”).
Pursuant to Article 193 of the French Tax
Code, the 12.8% PFNL non-final withholding tax may be credited
against income tax due in respect of the year in which it was paid.
Where it exceeds income tax due, the surplus is refunded.
In practice, alignment of current PFU and PFNL
rates at 12.8% is equivalent to paying withholding tax at
source.
Pursuant to Article 200 A (2) of the
French Tax Code, by way of derogation from application of the PFU,
taxpayers wishing to do so may expressly, generally and irrevocably
opt to be subject to the sliding scale of income tax.
Pursuant to Article 158 of the French Tax
Code, dividends must be included in the shareholder’s total taxable
income as investment income (revenus de capitaux mobiliers) in
respect of the year during which it is received. The option is
exercised each year when filing the tax return and no later than
the filing deadline. Dividends then benefit from an unlimited tax
allowance of 40% on the amount of distributed income (“40%
Allowance”). The option of the sliding scale of income tax
applies on an annual basis to all investment income and capital
gains subject to the above-mentioned flat-rate tax of 12.8% and
realised in respect of the same year.
If the BBI shares are held in a French share
savings plan (PEA), dividends and similar distributed income are
exempt from income tax, subject to compliance with the terms and
conditions applicable to the PEA.
3.1.1.3. Social
security contributionsRegardless of whether or not the 12.8% PFNL
is applicable, the gross amount of income distributed by BBI
(before application of the 40% Allowance when the shareholder has
opted for the sliding scale of taxation) will also be subject to
social security contributions at an overall rate of 17.2%, broken
down as follows:
✓ general social security
contribution (contribution sociale généralisée or “CSG”) at a rate
of 9.2%; ✓ social debt repayment
contribution (contribution pour le remboursement de la dette
sociale, “CRDS”) at a rate of 0.5%; and ✓ solidarity
levy at a rate of 7.5%.
These social security contributions are not
deductible from income subject to the PFU. When income is subject
to the sliding scale upon election, up to 6.8% of the 9.2% CSG can
be deducted from taxable income for the year it is paid.
Shareholders should consult their usual tax
advisor to determine the tax reporting obligations and payment
rules that may apply to them in respect of the PFNL and social
security contributions.
3.1.1.4. Payment of
the PFNL withholding tax and social security
contributionsBeneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind shall pay,
as the case may be, to their authorised financial intermediary or
to BBI, through Uptevia, social security contributions and/or flat
rate tax or withholding tax due in respect of the Distribution in
Kind. Where applicable, the authorised financial intermediary
responsible for maintaining the bearer or administered registered
share accounts or BBI, through Uptevia, responsible for maintaining
issuer registered accounts, may sell the number of Nacon shares
required to pay social security contributions and/or the PNFL
withholding tax due in respect of the Distribution in Kind.
3.1.1.5. Exceptional
contribution for high-income earnersPursuant to Article 223e
of the French Tax Code, taxpayers subject to personal income tax
are liable for a contribution based on the amount of the tax
household’s reference taxable income as defined in 1° of IV of
Article 1417 of the French Tax Code, without any application
of the quotient rules defined in Article 163-0 A of the French Tax
Code. Reference income includes distributed income and dividends
received by the taxpayers concerned (before the 40% Allowance when
the shareholder has opted for taxation under the sliding scale).
This contribution is calculated by applying the following
rates:
✓ 3% of the portion of
reference taxable income between EUR 250,000 and
EUR 500,000 for single, widowed, separated or divorced
taxpayers, and the portion of taxable income between
EUR 500,000 and EUR 1,000,000 for couples filing jointly;
✓ 4% of the portion of reference taxable
income above EUR 500,000 for single, widowed, separated or
divorced taxpayers, and the portion of taxable income above
EUR 1,000,000 for couples filing jointly.
3.1.2. Legal
entities subject to corporate income tax (under standard
rules)3.1.2.1. Legal
entities without the status of a parent company (société mère) in
FranceLegal entities, other than those having parent company
(société mère) status within the meaning of Article 145 of the
French Tax Code, should include dividends and distributed income
received in their taxable income subject to the ordinary corporate
tax rate. An additional 3.3% social security contribution may also
apply, based on the corporate income tax charge, after a deduction
of up to EUR 763,000 for each twelve-month period
(Article 235 ter ZC of the French Tax Code).
However, pursuant to Article 219 I-b of the
French Tax Code, for legal entities with annual revenue of less
than EUR 10,000,000 (excluding taxes), and whose share capital
is fully paid up and at least 75% continuously held throughout the
relevant financial year by natural persons or by a company meeting
all these conditions, the corporate income tax rate is set at 15%
for the first EUR 42,500 of taxable income for each
twelve-month period. In addition, these legal entities are exempted
from the aforementioned 3.3% social security contribution.
3.1.2.2. Legal
entities qualifying as a parent company (société mère) in
FranceLegal entities holding at least 5% of BBI’s share capital and
voting rights and which meet the conditions set out in
Articles 145 and 216 of the French Tax Code may benefit, upon
election, from a dividend and distributed income exemption under
the parent-subsidiary regime.
However, subsection I of Article 216 of the
French Tax Code provides for the inclusion, in taxable income
subject to corporate income tax at the standard rate of the
beneficiary, of a charge for costs and expenses set, under the
current legislation, at 5% of total proceeds from shareholdings,
tax credits included.
3.1.2.3. Other
shareholdersBBI shareholders subject to a tax system other than
those referred to above, in particular taxpayers whose securities
transactions goes beyond simple portfolio management or who have
recorded their shares as assets on their business balance sheet,
should consult their own tax advisors to determine the provisions
that apply to their particular circumstances.
3.2. Shareholders
with tax residence outside FranceUnder French law as it
currently stands and subject to the possible application of
international tax treaties, the following discussion summarises
certain French tax consequences that may apply to investors (i) who
are not French tax residents within the meaning of Article 4 B
of the French Tax Code or whose registered office is located
outside France and (ii) whose ownership of shares cannot be traced
back to a fixed base or permanent establishment subject to taxation
in France. Such persons should consult their usual tax advisor
regarding the taxation applicable to their particular circumstances
and comply with the tax legislation in force in their State of
residence and/or nationality.
The Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind
will have to pay the withholding tax to their paying agent, subject
to the provisions of the international tax treaties that may be
applicable and to the exceptions mentioned below, when the tax
residence or the registered office of the beneficial owner is
outside France. Consequently, the amount of the withholding tax
shall be made available to the paying agent prior to delivery of
the shares.
If necessary, the paying agent may sell the
number of Nacon shares necessary to pay the applicable withholding
taxes.
BBI shareholders should contact their financial
intermediary to find out the processes that will be put in place by
the latter for this purpose.
Subject to what is set forth below and the
completion of the formalities necessary for the elimination or
limitation of the rate of withholding tax at source that may be
payable, the rate of this withholding tax is set, in particular,
at:
✓ 12.8% by
Article 187 (1) (2) of the French Tax Code where the
beneficiary is a natural person; and ✓
15% where the
beneficiary is a non-profit organisation that has its registered
office in a Member State of the European Union or in another Member
State of the European Economic Area Agreement that has entered into
an administrative assistance agreement with France for the purpose
of combating tax evasion and tax fraud, that would be taxed
according to the treatment referred to in Article 206-5 of the
French Tax Code if it had its registered office in France and meets
the criteria provided for by paragraphs 580 et seq. of the
version of 25 March 2013 of the administrative
guidelines BOI-IS-CHAMP-1050-10-40.
This withholding tax is also applicable to any
payment made for the benefit of a non-resident in the context of a
temporary assignment or a similar transaction giving the right or
obligation to return or resell the shares or other rights relating
to these shares. In accordance with Article 119 bis A, 1 of
the French Tax Code, the temporary or similar transaction must be
carried out for a period of less than forty-five days, including
the date the right to the distribution of the proceeds of the
shares is acquired. If the beneficiary of the payment provides
proof that it corresponds to a transaction that has primarily a
purpose and effect other than avoiding the application of
withholding tax or obtaining a tax benefit, they will be able to
obtain reimbursement of the withholding tax, which will be
definitely undue to the tax department of the beneficiary’s
domicile or head office.
Regardless of the location of the beneficiary’s
tax residence or registered office, income distributed by BBI
outside France to a "non-cooperative" State or territory within the
meaning of Article 238-0 A of the French Tax Code is subject to
withholding tax at a rate of 75%.
The list of non-cooperative states and
territories is published by ministerial order and updated annually.
The list updated by the ministerial order dated 3 February 2023
(published in the Official Journal of the French Republic (JORF)
dated 5 February 2023) includes the following States and
territories: British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Panama, Seychelles,
Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Vanuatu, Fiji, Guam, US Virgin Islands,
Palau, American Samoa, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago.
If States or territories were to be blacklisted
by the European Union because they facilitate the creation of
offshore structures or devices, they would also be affected by the
application of the 75% withholding tax from the date the
ministerial order is amended accordingly, in accordance with
Article 238-0 A 2 (1) of the French Tax Code.
Investors who may be affected by this measure
and those who are domiciled or established in a non-cooperative
State or territory should seek the advice of their usual tax
advisor to determine the tax treatment applicable to them.
Shareholders that are legal entities with their
place of effective management in a Member State of the European
Union may benefit from a withholding tax exemption if they hold at
least 10% of BBI’s share capital and otherwise meet all the
conditions of Article 119b of the French Tax Code. In
addition, subject to meeting the conditions specified in the
version of 7 June 2016 of administrative
guidelines BOI-RPPM-RCM-30-30-20-40, legal entities that hold
at least 5% of BBI’s share capital may, subject to certain
conditions, benefit from a withholding tax exemption if their place
of effective management is located either in another Member State
of the European Union or in another Member State of the European
Economic Area Agreement that has entered an agreement with France
to avoid double taxation which includes an administrative
assistance clause to combat tax fraud and evasion. Legal entity
shareholders who may be affected by this measure should consult
their usual tax advisor to determine the tax treatment applicable
to them.
Furthermore, and subject to payment in a
non-cooperative State or territory as defined in Article 238-0 A of
the French Tax Code, withholding tax is not applicable pursuant to
Article 119a (2) of the French Tax Code to dividends paid to
collective investment undertakings governed by foreign law, located
in a Member State of the European Union or another State that has
entered into an administrative assistance agreement with France for
the purpose of combating tax evasion and tax fraud, and which meet
the following two conditions:
✓ raising capital from a
certain number of investors for the purpose of investing it in a
fiduciary capacity on behalf of such investors, pursuant to a
defined investment policy; and ✓ having
features similar to those required of collective undertakings
governed by French law under section 1, paragraphs 1, 2,
3, 5 and 6 of subsection 2, subsection 3, or
sub-section 4 of section 2 of Chapter IV of the 1st
Title of Book II of the French Monetary and Financial Code
(Code monétaire et financier).
The terms of this exemption are set out in the
version of 6 October 2021 of administrative
guidelines BOI-RPPM-RCM-30-30-20-70.
Finally, withholding tax may be reduced or even
eliminated pursuant to tax treaties signed by France.
Accordingly, it is the responsibility of BBI
shareholders to consult their usual tax advisors to determine
whether they are likely to qualify for a reduction to or exemption
from the withholding tax by virtue of the preceding principles or
provisions of international tax treaties and to determine the
formalities to be complied with to benefit from these treaties,
including those provided for by the version of 12 September 2012 of
administrative guidelines BOI-INT-DG-20-20-20-20 relating to
the “standard” or “simplified” procedure for reduction of or
exemption from withholding tax.
4. IMPACT OF THE
DISTRIBUTION IN KIND ON BBI’S EQUITY, NET INCOME AND NET
DEBT4.1. Impact
of the Distribution in Kind on the BBI Group’s consolidated
equityFollowing the Distribution in Kind, BBI will retain
sole control over Nacon. Therefore, in accordance with the IFRS
standards in accordance with which the Bigben Group’s consolidated
financial statements are prepared, the Distribution in Kind will be
treated as a disposal of minority assets with no impact on the
control of Nacon and will be treated for accounting purposes as a
transaction between shareholders and thus recognised as equity.
The Distribution in Kind will result in a
reduction in BBI’s consolidated equity on the payment date equal to
(i) the number of Nacon shares distributed multiplied by the
opening price of the Nacon shares on the payment date of the
Distribution in Kind, minus (ii) the recognition of a capital gain
on the disposal of shares net of tax (with no impact on the Income
Statement) resulting from the difference between the Distribution
in Kind and the share of the net assets of the Nacon shares
transferred to the shareholders, net of the taxes recorded at the
time of the Distribution in Kind.
The impact of this transaction and of the change
in Nacon’s share price on BBI’s consolidated equity compared to the
consolidated balance sheet at 31 March 2023, can therefore be
summarised as follows:
|
Number of outstanding BBI shares |
BBI equity (in EUR millions) |
BBI equity per share(in EUR per share) |
Situation at 31 March
20238 |
18,495,9609 |
218.7 |
11.8 |
Impact of the Distribution in Kind |
|
Distribution in Kind |
-8.3 |
-0.4 |
Capital gain net of tax (without no impact on the Income
Statement) |
-2.1 |
-0.1 |
Situation post-Distribution in Kind |
208.2 |
11.3 |
4.2. Impact of the
Distribution in Kind on BBI’s consolidated net
incomeAs there is no loss of control of Nacon by
BBI, the Distribution in Kind will not have a material impact on
BBI’s consolidated net
income.
4.3. Impact of the
Distribution in Kind on BBI’s net debtThe Distribution in
Kind has no impact on BBI’s net debt, except for taxes due in
respect of this debt.
The distribution of a cash balancing payment to
shareholders who do not hold a number of BBI shares entitling them
to a whole number of Nacon shares will have an immaterial impact on
BBI’s consolidated net debt.
5. RISK
FACTORSThese risk factors should be carefully
considered.
5.1. Specific risk
factors related to the Distribution in KindThe main risk
factors related to the Distribution in Kind are set out below. BBI
shareholders should be aware that the list of risks presented below
is not exhaustive and that other additional risks may exist that
are unknown or the realisation of which as of the date of this
press release is not considered likely to have an adverse effect on
the Distribution in Kind:
- in the event that the Distribution
in Kind exceeds the Ceiling, the Board of Directors will have to
make the necessary adjustment to the exchange ratio so that the
amount distributed does not exceed the Ceiling; this would be the
case if the opening price of the Nacon shares on the Payment Date
exceeded EUR 8.69, based on a maximum distributable amount of
EUR 32,154,399 and assuming that 3,698,645 Nacon shares would
be distributed, it being specified that in the event of the
exchange ratio being adjusted, the timetable of the Distribution in
Kind could change;
- BBI shareholders could sell the
Nacon shares they receive in connection with the Distribution in
Kind, which could create downward pressure on Nacon’s share
price;
- Nacon’s share price could fall
after the Distribution in Kind; and
- tax laws and regulations may change
unfavourably compared with the current tax system.
5.2. Risk factors
relating to Nacon and its businessThe
main risk factors relating to Nacon and its business are described
in Nacon’s universal registration document filed with the Autorité
des Marchés Financiers on 22 June 2022 under
number D.22-0545, which BBI shareholders are invited to
consult.
Next events:
Annual General Meeting: 21 July
2023
Q1 2023-24 sales: 24 July 2023 after market
close
ABOUT BIGBEN
INTERACTIVE |
2022-23
SALES€283.5m HEADCOUNTOver
1,300 employees INTERNATIONAL31
subsidiaries and a distribution network in more than 100
countrieswww.bigben-group.com |
Bigben is a European player in video game development and
publishing, design and distribution of smartphone and gaming
accessories, as well as audio/video products. The Group, which is
recognised for its capacities in terms of innovation and
creativity, intends to become one of the leading names in Europe in
each of its markets. Company listed on Euronext Paris,
compartment B – Index: CAC Mid & Small – Eligible for Long
SRDISIN: FR0000074072; Reuters: BIGPA; Bloomberg:
BIGFP PRESS CONTACTCap Value – Gilles
Broquelet gbroquelet@capvalue.fr -
+33 1 80 81 50 01 |
1 Of which 3,555,937 Nacon shares were loaned to
BNP Paribas for hedging purposes as part of the bond issue by
Bigben Interactive (refer to note 2.2.4 of the appendices to the
consolidated financial statements appearing in the Universal
registration document filed by Bigben Interactive on 27 June 2022
with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers under
number D.22-0553).2 on the basis of the number of shares and
voting rights making up Nacon’s capital at 31 May 2023.3 Of which
3,555,937 Nacon shares were loaned on 12 February 2021 to BNP
Paribas for hedging purposes as part of the bond issue by BBI
(refer to note 2.2.4 of the appendices to the consolidated
financial statements appearing in the Universal registration
document filed by BBI on 27 June 2022 with the Autorité
des Marchés Financiers under number D.22-0553). 4 This
number is obtained by multiplying the number of BBI shares entitled
to the Distribution in Kind, i.e. 18,493,221 BBI shares (18,529,960
shares making up BBI’s share capital, less 36,739 treasury shares),
by the exchange ratio of 1 Nacon share for every 5 BBI shares,
based on the theoretical assumption that there are no fractional
shares.5 on the basis of the number of shares and voting rights
making up Nacon’s share capital at 31 May 2023.6 The theoretical
stock market price used for the above examples (namely 2.25 euros
per Nacon share) is the closing price of the Nacon share on May 31,
20237 Fractional shares will be subject to the same tax regime as
specified here.8 On the basis of BBI’s consolidated financial
statements for the period ended 31 March 2023 as approved by the
Board of Directors on 30 May 2023.9 Number of shares making up
BBI’s share capital less treasury shares as at 31 September
2023.
- BBI - CP Distibution Dividendes en nature Actions Nacon
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