• 27.09.2023, 18:51:25
  • /
  • EQS0003

EQS-Adhoc: ams-OSRAM AG: ams OSRAM to secure long-term stable financial base for structural growth

EQS-Ad-hoc: ams-OSRAM AG / Key word(s): Financing
   ams-OSRAM AG: ams OSRAM to secure long-term stable financial base for
   structural growth

   27-Sep-2023 / 18:50 CET/CEST
   Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the
   Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS
   Group AG.
   The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

   Ad hoc Announcement pursuant to Art. 53 Listing Rules of SIX Swiss
   Exchange
   -------------------------------------------------------

   Not for distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in or into the
   United States, Australia, Canada or Japan or any other jurisdiction in
   which such distribution or release would be unlawful

   ams OSRAM to secure long-term stable financial base for structural growth

     • Combination of a rights issue, senior unsecured notes and other
       financial instruments, in total EUR 2.25bn, covering all expected
       financing needs until 2025/26.
     • Financing of around EUR 1.9bn (out of total EUR 2.25bn) in fall/winter
       2023/24:

          • a rights issue of EUR 800m, for approval at Extraordinary General
            Meeting (EGM) on 20-Oct-2023,
          • a new issuance of senior unsecured notes of around EUR 800m, and
          • asset-level financings of around EUR 300m.

     • Additional debt instruments of around EUR 350m will complete the
       package in 2024 in a mix subject to market conditions.
     • Comprehensive financing plan to increase equity ratio to approx. 30%
       and to reduce debt, with the aim of achieving investment grade profile
       by 2026.
     • Q3 profitability expected to reach the upper end of the guided range
       of 5% - 8% adjusted EBIT, Q3 guidance for revenues of EUR 840m to 940m
       reconfirmed.

   Premstaetten, Austria, and Munich, Germany (27 September 2023) -- ams
   OSRAM (SIX: AMS) plans to strengthen its balance sheet for structural
   growth targeting investment grade profile.
   The company plans to secure a total of EUR 2.25 billion through the
   combination of a capital increase, new corporate bonds, and other
   financing instruments.
   “Step by step we deliver what we have outlined. Firstly, we have sharpened
   our strategy towards structural growth. Secondly, we are cleaning-up our
   semiconductor portfolio by exiting non-performing businesses. Thirdly, we
   are making our organization efficient and accountable. The foundation for
   ‘re-establishing the base’ of ams OSRAM is having a solid and sustainable
   capital structure. With the holistic financing plan we present today, we
   aim to put our balance sheet on a solid footing, such that we can fully
   concentrate on executing our strategy for growth, higher profitability and
   monetizing innovation”, says Aldo Kamper, CEO of ams OSRAM.
   The comprehensive financing follows a multi-stage plan: A proposed rights
   issue in the amount of EUR 800 million will be combined with an issuance
   of senior unsecured notes in EUR and USD, which are expected to raise a
   total of around EUR 800 million. The volume of the capital increase, which
   is scheduled for approval at an Extraordinary Shareholders meeting on
   October 20^th, 2023, is underwritten by the banks HSBC, Morgan Stanley and
   UBS. In addition, ams OSRAM expects to execute certain asset transactions,
   such as sale and lease backs of corporate assets to keep overall borrowing
   cost lower in a high interest environment, in winter 2023/24. The total
   financing package is expected to be completed next year with an additional
   EUR 350 million in a mix of debt instruments, such as unsecured notes,
   bi-lateral debt facilities, or other instruments – the mix will be subject
   to market conditions.
   “The multi-element financing plan is designed to strengthen the balance
   sheet of ams OSRAM. Our comprehensive plan consists of new equity to
   reduce gross and net debt as well as new senior notes to refinance
   additional outstanding debt with a well-balanced maturity profile. We will
   also use additional financing instruments, such as sale & lease back
   transactions, with the aim of bringing the company on track to reach a
   healthy investment grade leverage.”, said Rainer Irle, CFO of ams OSRAM.
   The financing plan creates a solid base for the strategic realignment of
   ams OSRAM. The company is focusing its semiconductor portfolio on its
   profitable core business with intelligent sensor and emitter components.
   In doing so, the company aims to expand its leading position in the
   relevant automotive, industrial, and medical sectors. This will be
   complemented by selected, highly innovative offerings for the consumer
   electronics markets, such as micro-LED. The Automotive & Specialty Lamps
   segment continues to be an important part of the Group after its portfolio
   was cleaned up and is delivering sustainable double-digit adj. EBIT
   margins.
   The new strategy and the associated efficiency program ‘Re-establish the
   Base’ aim to align the Group with the focused semi-conductor portfolio and
   to strengthen profitability with expected run-rate savings of around EUR
   150 million by end of 2025. ams OSRAM is well on the track for achieving
   this. The organizational adjustments to strengthen accountability and to
   make the set-up leaner (e.g. reducing from 4 to 3 business units) are
   close to being fully implemented. Preparations are progressing for the
   exit of the passive optical components business, which is no longer part
   of the core business. Initial talks with interested parties are promising.
   Potential proceeds from a sale of the non-core semiconductor portfolio
   could also be used to reduce leverage.

   Details of the financing plan fall/winter 2023/24 - Extraordinary General
   Meeting for Rights Issue
   ams OSRAM invites its shareholders to an Extraordinary General Meeting in
   Premstaetten, Austria, on October 20, 2023, to ask its shareholders for
   approval to increase the capital ([1]link to EGM details). By issuing
   subscription rights, shareholders will have the opportunity to buy
   additional shares at a discount, preserving their value share in ams
   OSRAM, or sell their respective rights. The proceeds from the Rights Issue
   are designated primarily for reduction of gross debt.

   Placement and later repurchase of treasury shares
   ams OSRAM intends to sell its entire self-held 12.86 million of treasury
   shares prior to the start of the rights issue. Under Austrian corporate
   law, the company’s treasury shares are not entitled to subscription rights
   in the event of a capital increase. Essentially, the sale is a technical
   measure to avoid automatic dilution. Consequently, ams OSRAM intends to
   repurchase treasury shares in the market after successful execution of the
   rights issue to cover outstanding obligations under its long-term
   incentive programs. Details of this public share buyback program will be
   determined by the Management and the Supervisory Board and communicated in
   due time.
   Senior unsecured notes
   The company plans to issue senior unsecured notes (mix of EUR, USD and
   potentially staggered maturities) with a total volume of around EUR 800
   million in 2023. The new issuance is interlinked with the Rights Issue.
   Any new bond issuance could also be combined with a tender offer for the
   outstanding senior notes to optimize the debt structure and interest costs
   and allow existing bondholders to roll over their risk exposure.
   Assets transactions to optimize borrowing cost
   In view of the increased interest rate level compared to 2020, the company
   plans asset transactions, including, for example selling certain company
   assets and subsequently leasing them back. The implicit borrowing costs of
   such transactions are typically lower compared to straight debt financing
   and thus be designed to optimize overall borrowing costs under the planned
   financing package. These transactions are planned to be of the order of
   EUR 300 million and further details will be published once contracts have
   been signed.
   Extension of the Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) and OSRAM Licht AG
   minority share holdings
   ams OSRAM’s core relationship banks are expected to extend the currently
   undrawn EUR 800 million RCF by one year to September 2026. The RCF mainly
   serves as a backstop for the outstanding put options of the OSRAM Licht AG
   minority shareholders. The put options (including compounded interest)
   stood at EUR 748 million as of 30 June 2023, representing around 17% of
   total shares outstanding. 
   State funding or grants
   The company has received confirmation for grants and support by state
   entities showing confidence in its innovation and industrialization power
   (e.g. IPCEI [2]link and MIDA [3]link) and will continue to apply under
   eligible schemes globally. All governmental grants combined, the company
   expects a high triple digit million EUR amount of support until 2033. Such
   support is typically tied to certain milestones that need to be achieved
   per scheme. These fundings allow the company to accelerate the related
   technology developments as they typically support research & development
   expenditures or partially cover investments in property, plant & equipment
   and are reflected in the company’s business plans.

   Pro-forma Equity Ratio at approx. 30% after implementing complete
   financing plan
   Upon completion of all financing measures, ams OSRAM will have
   strengthened the balance sheet, with an expected pro-forma equity ratio of
   approximately 30% (compared to 18 percent in June 2023) and a smoother
   debt maturity profile. The equity ratio is defined as equity to total
   assets ratio. The financing would result in a pro-forma group leverage
   ratio as of Q2 2023 below 2x, defined as net debt / adjusted EBITDA. The
   company will work towards fulfilling all requirements for achieving
   investment grade over time.

   Change in Supervisory Board
   The EGM will also be asked to elect Arunjai Mittal to the Supervisory
   Board of the company in a by-election after Dr Wolfgang Leitner resigned
   from the board in early September 2023 due to personal reasons. Arunjai
   has over 30 years of experience in the industry ([4]link to CV). He will
   further strengthen the technology and industry expertise of the
   Supervisory Board.

   Conference calls for Investors, Analysts and Press
   ams OSRAM will host a conference call for analysts and investors as well
   as a press call on the announced holistic financing plan on Thursday, 28
   September 2023. The conference call for analysts and investors will start
   at 9.00am CEST and can be joined via [5]webcast. The press call will take
   place at 10.15am CEST, journalists who would like to join the press call
   can register [6]here.

   Disclaimer
   This announcement constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation
   to buy securities. Any offer regarding any publicly offered securities of
   ams-OSRAM AG (“ams-OSRAM AG” or the “Company,” and together with its
   subsidiaries, the “Group”) in Austria will be made solely by means of, and
   on the basis of, a securities prospectus (including any supplements
   thereto, if any) to be approved by the Austrian Financial Market Authority
   (Finanzmarktaufsichtsbehörde, the “FMA”) and to be published in accordance
   with the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”) on the
   website of the Company (www.ams-osram.com). An investment decision
   regarding any publicly offered securities of ams-OSRAM AG should only be
   made on the basis of a prospectus. Any orders relating to securities of
   ams-OSRAM AG received prior to the commencement of a public offering will
   be rejected. If a public offering is to be made in Austria, a securities
   prospectus will be published promptly upon approval by FMA in accordance
   with the Prospectus Regulation and will be available free of charge from
   ams-OSRAM AG during usual business hours, or on the ams-OSRAM AG website.
   This announcement is not a prospectus according to Articles 35 et seqq. of
   the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and as such does not
   constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities of
   ams-OSRAM AG or any other company. This announcement is made for
   information purposes only and shall not constitute investment advice. Any
   offer regarding any publicly offered securities of ams-OSRAM AG in
   Switzerland will be solely made by means of, and on the basis of, a
   prospectus (including any supplements thereto, if any) that is deemed
   approved  in Switzerland without additional approval procedure in
   accordance with the FinSA, which will be made available free of charge
   from ams-OSRAM AG and UBS AG during regular business hours, or on the
   ams-OSRAM AG website prior to the public offering. An investment decision
   regarding any publicly offered securities of ams-OSRAM AG should only be
   made on the basis of the prospectus published for such purpose.
   This announcement is not for distribution or release, directly or
   indirectly, in or into the United States (including its territories and
   possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia),
   Australia, Canada, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such
   distribution or release would be unlawful. This announcement does not
   constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or
   subscribe for securities in the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan,
   or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation may be
   unlawful. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a
   violation of United States, Canadian, Australian, Japanese or other
   applicable securities laws. The securities mentioned herein have not been,
   and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as
   amended (the “Securities Act”).  The securities may not be offered or sold
   in the United States, absent registration or an exemption from the
   registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will be no public
   offer of the securities in the United States.
   This announcement is not a prospectus for the purposes of Prospectus
   Regulation or Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law
   in the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act
   2018 (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”) but an advertisement for the
   purposes of the Prospectus Regulation and the UK Prospectus Regulation,
   and as such does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an
   offer to purchase securities of ams-OSRAM AG. Investors should not
   subscribe for any securities referred to in this document except on the
   basis of the information contained in any prospectus relating to the
   securities, the former of which may be published by the Company in final
   form on its website (www.ams-osram.com). Any such prospectus would include
   a description of risk factors in relation to an investment in the Group.
   You should conduct your own independent analysis of all relevant data
   provided in any prospectus and you are advised to obtain independent
   expert advice as to the legal, tax, accounting, financial, credit and
   other related aspects before making any investment decision.
   The information set forth in this announcement is only addressed to and
   directed at persons in member states of the European Economic Area (each a
   “Relevant State”) who are “qualified investors” within the meaning of
   Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (“Qualified Investors”). In the
   case of the United Kingdom, such information is only addressed to and
   directed at and is only being distributed to "qualified investors" within
   the meaning of the UK Prospectus Regulation who are (i) ”investment
   professionals” within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial
   Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the
   “Order”); (ii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may
   otherwise lawfully be communicated falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d)
   of the Order, or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be
   communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “Relevant
   Persons”). The information in this announcement must not be acted on or
   relied on (i) in the United Kingdom, by persons who are not Relevant
   Persons, and (ii) in any Relevant State, by persons who are not Qualified
   Investors. Any investment or investment activity to which the information
   in this announcement relates is available only to or will be engaged in
   only with, (i) Relevant Persons in the United Kingdom, and (ii) Qualified
   Investors in any Relevant State.
   No representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, is made by
   the Group, its shareholders, HSBC, Morgan Stanley or UBS (the “Banks”) or
   any of the Group’s, its shareholders’ or the Bank’s respective affiliates
   or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees or agents
   (the “Representatives”) or any other person as to, and no reliance should
   be placed on, the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the
   information set forth in this announcement or the opinions contained
   therein or any other statement made or purported to be made in connection
   with the Company or the Group, for any purpose whatsoever. No
   responsibility, obligation or liability whatsoever, whether arising in
   tort, contract or otherwise, is or will be accepted by the Group, the
   Company, its shareholders or the Banks or any of their respective
   Representatives or any other person for any loss, cost or damage howsoever
   arising from any use of the information contained in this announcement, or
   for information or opinions or for any errors, omissions or misstatements
   contained therein or otherwise arising in connection therewith.
   The information in this announcement is of an abbreviated nature and is
   subject to updating, revision, amendment, verification, correction,
   completion and change without notice. None of the Group, the Company, its
   shareholders, the Banks or any of their respective Representatives or any
   other person undertakes any obligation to provide the attendee or
   recipient with access to any additional information or to update the
   information in this announcement or to correct any inaccuracies in any
   such information, including any financial data or forward-looking
   statements. Such information should be considered in the context of the
   circumstances prevailing at the time and has not been, and will not be,
   updated to reflect material developments which may occur after the date
   thereof. None of the Group, the Company, its shareholders, the Banks or
   any of their respective Representatives have independently verified any of
   the information in this announcement.
   This announcement may contain statements about ams-OSRAM AG or the Group
   that are or may constitute or include forward-looking statements.
   Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts
   and may be identified by words such as “plans”, “targets”, “aims”,
   “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “estimates”, “will”,
   “may”, “continues”, “should” and similar expressions. These
   forward-looking statements reflect, at the time made, the Group’s beliefs,
   intentions and current targets/aims concerning, among other things, the
   Company’s or the Group’s results of operations, financial condition,
   liquidity, prospects, growth and strategies. Forward-looking statements
   include statements regarding: objectives, goals, strategies, outlook and
   growth prospects; future plans, events or performance and potential for
   future growth; economic outlook and industry trends; developments of the
   Company’s or the Group’s markets; and the strength of the Company’s or any
   other member of the Group’s competitors. Forward-looking statements
   involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend
   on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. The
   forward-looking statements in this announcement are based upon various
   assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions,
   including without limitation, management’s examination of historical
   operating trends, data contained in the Group’s records and other data
   available from third parties. Although the Group believes that these
   assumptions were reasonable when made, these assumptions are inherently
   subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties,
   contingencies and other important factors which are difficult or
   impossible to predict and are beyond its control. Forward-looking
   statements are not guarantees of future performance and such risks,
   uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause the
   actual outcomes and the results of operations, financial condition and
   liquidity of the Company and other members of the Group or the industry to
   differ materially from those results expressed or implied in this
   announcement by such forward-looking statements. No assurances can be
   given that the forward-looking statements will be realized. The
   forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement.
   The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any
   updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any
   change in the Group’s expectations with regard thereto or any changes in
   events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking
   statements are based. No representation or warranty is made that any of
   these forward-looking statements or forecasts will come to pass or that
   any forecast result will be achieved. Undue influence should not be given
   to, and no reliance should be placed on, any forward-looking statement.
   The Banks are acting only for the Company and no one else, will not regard
   any person (whether or not a recipient of this announcement) other than
   the Company as a client,  and will not be responsible to anyone other than
   the Company for providing the protections afforded to their respective
   clients, and will not be responsible for providing advice to anyone in
   relation to the transactions described herein, or other matter or
   arrangement referred to in this document.

   About ams OSRAM
    
   The ams OSRAM Group (SIX: AMS) is a global leader in intelligent sensors
   and emitters. By adding intelligence to light and passion to innovation,
   we enrich people’s lives.

   With over 110 years of combined history, our core is defined by
   imagination, deep engineering expertise and the ability to provide global
   industrial capacity in sensor and light technologies. We create exciting
   innovations that enable our customers in the automotive, industrial,
   medical and consumer markets maintain their competitive edge and drive
   innovation that meaningfully improves the quality of life in terms of
   health, safety and convenience, while reducing impact on the environment.

   Our around 21,000 employees worldwide focus on innovation across sensing,
   illumination and visualization to make journeys safer, medical diagnosis
   more accurate and daily moments in communication a richer experience. Our
   work creates technology for breakthrough applications, which is reflected
   in over 15,000 patents granted and applied. Headquartered in
   Premstaetten/Graz (Austria) with a co-headquarters in Munich (Germany),
   the group achieved over EUR 4.8 billion revenues in 2022 and is listed as
   ams-OSRAM AG on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ISIN: AT0000A18XM4).

   Find out more about us on [7]https://ams-osram.com

   ams is a registered trademark of ams-OSRAM AG. In addition many of our
   products and services are registered or filed trademarks of ams OSRAM
   Group. All other company or product names mentioned herein may be
   trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
   Join ams OSRAM social media channels: [8]>Twitter  [9]>LinkedIn 
   [10]>Facebook  [11]>YouTube
    

   End of Inside Information

   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

   27-Sep-2023 CET/CEST News transmitted by EQS Group AG. www.eqs.com

   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

   Language:    English
   Company:     ams-OSRAM AG
                Tobelbader Straße 30
                8141 Premstaetten
                Austria
   Phone:       +43 3136 500-0
   E-mail:      investor@ams-osram.com
   Internet:    https://ams-osram.com/
   ISIN:        AT0000A18XM4
   WKN:         A118Z8
   Listed:      Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt,
                Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange; BX, SIX, Vienna Stock
                Exchange (Vienna MTF)
   EQS News ID: 1736079


    
   End of Announcement EQS News Service


   1736079  27-Sep-2023 CET/CEST

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