Archived media releases

"Holderbank" announces conditions for planned capital increase with subscription rights for existing shareholders

Glaris

The Board of Directors of "Holderbank" Financière Glaris Ltd. has passed a resolution to strengthen the company's share capital in connection with the proposed creation of authorized capital. Subject to the approval of today's Annual General Meeting (10 June 1999), 25 of the existing bearer shares will, during the period from 16 to 23 June 1999, entitle the holder to subscribe one new bearer share at CHF 50 par at an issue price of CHF 1350 and 25 existing registered shares will entitle the holder to subscribe one new registered share at CHF 10 par at an issue price of CHF 270. The planned capital increase through the issue of 209,371 bearer and 404,000 registered shares is expected to generate some CHF 390 million in new equity capital for the company. These funds are to be used to finance acquisitions made in 1998 in Latin America and Southern Asia, and will also help to build a solid base for the Group's future growth.

---

"Holderbank" issues zero coupon convertible bonds

Glaris

This morning, Holderbank Overseas Finance Ltd., Bermuda, launched a CHF 400 million convertible bond issue due 2014. The bonds are guaranteed by "Holderbank" Financière Glaris Ltd.

---

Holderbank Annual General Meeting Chairman Thomas Schmidheiny expects 1999 to be a good year

Glaris

At the Annual General Meeting of "Holderbank" Financière Glaris Ltd. ("Holderbank") 567 shareholders were present, representing around 64 percent of voting rights. In his address to the AGM, Chairman Thomas Schmidheiny stated that demand for construction services remains encouraging in most Group regions and is in line with predictions made at the end of the first quarter. The strong US dollar had also impacted favourably on the consolidated accounts. Thomas Schmidheiny went on to say that "Europe looks set for the upswing to continue in the building sector. The outlook in North America is still very good, and Group companies there are going all out to meet rising demand. Cement markets in Latin America have generally proved crisis-resistant to date. If the Latin American financial markets remain calm, "Holderbank" is optimistic for the second half of 1999 and especially the year 2000. In real terms, most Asian economies appear to have bottomed out, and there are signs of a trend reversal, albeit a modest one for the moment. 1999 is therefore likely to continue the unbroken series of successes that "Holderbank" has seen over the past few years."

---

1998 results:

Glaris

The "Holderbank" Group witnessed another successful business year in 1998 and achieved further impressive operating and financial progress; operating profit and net income enjoyed strong growth.

---

"Holderbank" makes a further acquisition in China

Glaris

"Holderbank" Financière Glaris Ltd. ("Holderbank") has agreed to acquire 23.4 percent of the share capital of Shanghai exchange-listed Huaxin Cement Company Ltd. for around USD 20 million.

---