ZSE delisting to go ahead — Seed Co
DIRECTORS at the pan-African seed production empire, Seed Co group are going ahead with a planned de-listing of its Harare headquartered unit, Seed Co Limited (SCL), according to a document obtained by businessdigest.
The move follows a merger that was approved by shareholders holding a combined 78% of its stock.
The group operates through the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE)- listed SCL and the Botswana domiciled Seed Co International Limited (SCIL), which has been aggressively expanding since launching two decades ago.
But as part of a consolidation plan that directors hope will unlock shareholder value, the group’s assets are being merged, with the local unit exiting the ZSE.
The combined assets will be listed on the foreign currency denominated Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), where SCIL is already quoted.
However, advisory firm, Imara, has warned that the deal may not benefit Zimbabwean investors.
Documents at hand show that Seed Co has re-engaged shareholders to assure them that the transaction has several positive spin-offs.
After the new engagement, more shareholders are said to have accepted the consolidation plan during the secondary offer, which will close on March 2.
“While in the short-term the situation in Zimbabwe is very fluid and therefore difficult to give concise investment advice, in the medium to long-term, local investors, especially pension funds will benefit…through holding an investment in a stable currency which pays foreign currency dividends,” read part of the document gleaned by businessdigest.
“The now legally allowable use of the US dollar in the economy has resulted in more sectors including a USD component in their remuneration packages. This… should result in improved activity on the newly created VFEX.
“SI (Statutory Instrument) 280 compels pension funds and insurance companies to invest the foreign currency denominated collections in foreign currency assets and the VFEX provides them with such an investment opportunity.”
The group added: “The consolidation and introduction of new shareholders in SCIL … is also expected to stimulate share trading liquidity … the board and management are exploring various options to stimulate liquidity of the SCIL share.”
SCL said after the closure of the secondary offer, it will then apply for voluntary delisting from the ZSE in accordance with listings requirements.
Part of the requirements includes a circular to holders of the securities containing notice of the intention to terminate the listing of the securities on or after the completion of the transaction.
The document further reads: “While it is not unusual that some investors may have a different view, comfort is drawn from about 85% support received by way of acceptances to date … the circular titled Termination of Listing of SCL Shares on the ZSE gives notice of the intention to voluntarily delist…if the offer is accepted by SCL shareholders to the extent that SCIL’s shareholding in SCL reaches more than 70% or SCL has less than 300 shareholders.”
It dismissed the notion that only Limagrain, the major shareholder, stands to benefit from the new transaction.
However, Imara raised several issues over the fresh deal.
“ZSE will be setting a precedent for other listed companies with less than 70% of their shares in the hands of the public to apply to delist,” the advisory firm said.
Imara argued that a ZSE exit will prop the interests of offshore investors who have the forex to acquire stocks on the VFEX, insisting that domestic investors would rather maintain a ZSE listing.
It pushed the ZSE to demand that Seed Co holds an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) before delisting.