Recommended Cash Acquisition of Mandarin Oriental

Source: RNS
RNS Number : 8581D
Mandarin Oriental International Ltd
17 October 2025
 

not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws OR REGULATIONS of such jurisdiction.

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION.

 

For immediate release


 

17 October 2025

 

RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION

 

of

 

MANDARIN ORIENTAL INTERNATIONAL Limited ("Mandarin Oriental")

by

 

Jardine strategic limited ("Bidco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jardine Matheson HOLDINGS limited ("JARDINE MATHESON")

 

(to be implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement under the Bermuda Companies Act)

 

Summary

·     Jardine Matheson and Mandarin Oriental are pleased to announce that Mandarin Oriental has agreed to a proposal made by Jardine Matheson on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition by Jardine Matheson pursuant to which Bidco, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jardine Matheson, will acquire the 11.96 per cent. of Mandarin Oriental's total issued share capital which Bidco does not already own (the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition will be implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement under section 99 of the Bermuda Companies Act (the "Scheme").

·    Concurrently, Mandarin Oriental has entered into an agreement on 17 October 2025 with Alibaba Group and Ant Group regarding their acquisition of the top thirteen floors of One Causeway Bay as their headquarters in Hong Kong, together with the building's rooftop signage and 50 parking spaces of One Causeway Bay for US$925 million (the "OCB Sale"). The announcement published by Mandarin Oriental in respect of the OCB Sale on 17 October 2025 is included at Appendix IV (the "OCB Sale Announcement").

·   If the Acquisition becomes effective, Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders shall be entitled to receive:

US$3.35 in cash in respect of each Mandarin Oriental Share, comprising:

US$2.75 in cash (the "Scheme Value"); and

a special dividend of US$0.60 in cash (being the special dividend referenced by Mandarin Oriental in the OCB Sale Announcement) (the "OCB Dividend"),

(together, the "Total Value").  

·      The Total Value represents approximately a:

52.3 per cent. premium to the Closing Price of US$2.20 per Mandarin Oriental Share on 29 September 2025, being the last Business Day prior to the announcement by Mandarin Oriental on 30 September 2025 in relation to the possible sale of part of its interest in One Causeway Bay (the "Unaffected Day");

62.6 per cent. premium to the volume-weighted average price of US$2.06 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the one-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day;

65.8 per cent. premium to the volume-weighted average price of US$2.02 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the three-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day;

70.9 per cent. premium to the volume-weighted average price of US$1.96 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the six-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day; and

53.7 per cent. premium to the net asset value of US$2.18 per Mandarin Oriental Share as of 30 June 2025.

·      The Scheme Value represents approximately a:

71.9 per cent. premium to the adjusted Closing Price of US$1.60 per Mandarin Oriental Share on the Unaffected Day, being the Closing Price of US$2.20 per Mandarin Oriental Share on the Unaffected Day minus the value of the OCB Dividend;

88.4 per cent. premium to the adjusted volume-weighted average price of US$1.46 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the one-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day, being the volume-weighted average price of US$2.06 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the same period minus the OCB Dividend;

93.7 per cent. premium to the adjusted volume-weighted average price of US$1.42 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the three-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day, being the volume-weighted average price of US$2.02 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the same period minus the OCB Dividend;

102.2 per cent. premium to the adjusted volume-weighted average price of US$1.36 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the six-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day, being the volume-weighted average price of US$1.96 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the same period minus the OCB Dividend; and

74.1 per cent. premium to the net asset value minus the OCB Dividend of US$1.58, being the net asset value of US$2.18 per Mandarin Oriental Share as of 30 June 2025 minus the OCB Dividend.

·     The Total Value values the entire issued ordinary share capital of Mandarin Oriental (prior to the payment of the OCB Dividend) at approximately US$4.2 billion.

·     The financial terms of the Acquisition are final and Jardine Matheson does not intend to increase them or otherwise improve the financial terms of the Acquisition. If, on or after the date of this announcement and on or prior to the Acquisition Effective Date, Mandarin Oriental increases the value of the OCB Dividend or declares or pays any other dividend, distribution, or other return of value, Jardine Matheson reserves the right to reduce the Scheme Value by an amount equal to the amount of such increase or the amount of such dividend, distribution, or other return of value (as applicable), in which case references to the Scheme Value will be deemed to be a reference to the Scheme Value as so reduced.

·    As a number of the directors of Mandarin Oriental are also directors of Jardine Matheson, the board of Mandarin Oriental has delegated responsibility for considering the Acquisition to a committee of directors, comprising all the Independent Non-Executive Directors of Mandarin Oriental (the "Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee").

·    The Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee, which has been so advised by Morgan Stanley Asia Limited as to the financial terms of the Acquisition, considers the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and reasonable insofar as the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders are concerned. In providing its financial advice, Morgan Stanley Asia Limited has relied upon the commercial assessment of the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee. The Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee is unanimously in favour of, and intends to recommend in the Circular that the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders vote to approve, the Acquisition.

·     The payment of the OCB Dividend is conditional on completion of the OCB Sale and approval by the board of Mandarin Oriental, but is not conditional on completion of the Acquisition. Completion of the OCB Sale is expected to have occurred by 31 December 2025, with the OCB Dividend expected to be paid at or about the same time as settlement of the Scheme Value under the Scheme or, should the Scheme not become effective, at an alternative time following completion of the OCB Sale. Further information on the timing of the payment of the OCB Dividend will be announced in due course.

·    Upon completion of the OCB Sale, Bidco shall be entitled to receive the OCB Dividend in respect of the Mandarin Oriental Shares which it holds at the relevant record time. The record date in respect of the OCB Dividend will be on or prior to the Acquisition Effective Date.

·   Jardine Matheson intends to finance the Scheme Value using cash on its balance sheet together with committed facilities.

·     To effect the Scheme under the Bermuda Companies Act, a meeting of the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders will be convened by the Supreme Court of Bermuda to vote on the Scheme, which must be approved by a majority in number of the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders voting at the Court Meeting (whether in person or by proxy), representing at least 75 per cent. in value of the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shares voted by those Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders. In addition, a Special General Meeting of Mandarin Oriental will be convened to consider and vote on a special resolution approving the Acquisition and certain ancillary matters relating to the Scheme, which must be approved by Mandarin Oriental Shareholders representing at least 75 per cent. of votes cast at the Special General Meeting. Following the Court Meeting, the Court will also be required to approve the Scheme in order for it to become effective.

·   Jardine Matheson has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the resolutions to be proposed at the Special General Meeting in respect of 20,342,145 Mandarin Oriental Shares representing, in aggregate, approximately 13.46 per cent. of the number of Independent Mandarin Oriental Shares on 16 October 2025, being the last Business Day prior to this announcement.

·   Subject to satisfaction of the Conditions, it is expected that the Scheme will become effective by 28 February 2026.

·    A shareholder circular, setting out the details of the Acquisition, the procedures to be followed to approve the Acquisition, the Scheme, and the notices convening the Court Meeting and the Special General Meeting, will be published as soon as practicable after the date of this announcement. The Circular shall be made available by Mandarin Oriental and Jardine Matheson at www.Jardines.com. The Court Meeting and the Special General Meeting are expected to be held in December 2025.

·    The Acquisition will be subject to the Conditions, including the completion of the OCB Sale (which is itself subject to the OCB Sale Conditions which are set out in the OCB Sale Announcement, the full text of which is included at Appendix IV), approval of the resolutions required to approve and implement the Scheme by the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders at the Court Meeting and by the Mandarin Oriental Shareholders at the Special General Meeting, and the sanction of the Scheme by the Court.

·  Jardine Matheson and Mandarin Oriental have today entered into a transaction agreement (the "Transaction Agreement"). Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, Mandarin Oriental has undertaken not to declare or pay any dividend prior to the Acquisition Effective Date, with the exception of the OCB Dividend (with the OCB Dividend expected to be paid at or about the same time as settlement of the Scheme Value under the Scheme or, should the Scheme not become effective, at an alternative time following completion of the OCB Sale).

 

·    Subject to the Scheme becoming effective, requests will be made by Mandarin Oriental to each of the Financial Conduct Authority, the London Stock Exchange, the Singapore Exchange and the Bermuda Stock Exchange to cancel Mandarin Oriental's stock exchange listings.

·      For the reasons set out in Section 12 (Description of the Scheme), none of the UK Takeover Code, the Singapore Takeover Code nor the Bermuda Takeover Code for Mandarin Oriental (as set out in The Mandarin Oriental Limited Regulations 1993, as amended) apply to the Acquisition.

This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject to, the full text of this announcement, including its Appendices. The Acquisition will be subject to the Conditions and further terms set out in Appendix I to this announcement and to be set out in the Circular. The sources and bases of certain financial information contained in this summary and this announcement are set out in Appendix II to this announcement. Certain terms used in this summary and in this announcement are defined in Appendix III to this announcement. Appendix IV to this announcement sets out the full text of the OCB Sale Announcement.

Enquiries:

For further information, please contact:


Brunswick


Tom Burns

+44 (0) 20 7404 5959

Gavin Cross

+852 9522 6819


JARDINES@brunswickgroup.com

Jardines


Harry Thompson

+852 9107 9370

Harry.Thompson@jardines.com

Advisors

J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited ("J.P. Morgan") is acting as financial advisor to Jardine Matheson and Bidco in connection with the Acquisition. Linklaters LLP is acting as legal advisor to Jardine Matheson in connection with the Acquisition. Morgan Stanley Asia Limited ("Morgan Stanley") is acting as financial advisor to the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee in connection with the Acquisition. Slaughter and May is acting as legal advisor to the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee in connection with the Acquisition.

Inside Information

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by Mandarin Oriental to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018). Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Mandarin Oriental is Kieren Barry, Group Counsel.

Important Notices

J.P. Morgan is acting as financial advisor exclusively for Jardine Matheson and Bidco and no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than Jardine Matheson or Bidco for providing the protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan or its affiliates, not for providing advice in relation to the Acquisition or any other matter or arrangement referred to herein.

Morgan Stanley is acting exclusively for the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee and no one else in connection with the Acquisition and shall not be responsible to anyone other than the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee for providing the protections afforded to clients of Morgan Stanley nor for providing advice in connection with the Acquisition or any other matter or arrangement referred to herein. Neither Morgan Stanley nor any of its affiliates, their respective directors, officers, employees or agents owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Morgan Stanley in connection with the Acquisition or any statement contained herein or otherwise.

 

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there by any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Mandarin Oriental in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, prospectus equivalent or prospectus exempted document.

The Circular will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the Scheme. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information in the Circular. Mandarin Oriental Shareholders are advised to read the formal documentation in relation to the Acquisition carefully, once it has been dispatched.

Notice to United States Holders of Mandarin Oriental Shares

The Acquisition relates to the shares of a Bermudian company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under Bermudian company law. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer rules or the proxy solicitation rules under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in Bermuda to schemes of arrangement, which differ from the disclosure requirements of United States tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. The financial information included or incorporated by reference in this document has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (as adopted by the European Union) and thus may not be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Mandarin Oriental is a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda. A majority of the assets of Mandarin Oriental are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for Mandarin Oriental Shareholders in the United States to effect service of process within the United States upon Mandarin Oriental or its respective officers or directors or to enforce against any of them judgments of the United States courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. It may not be possible to sue Mandarin Oriental or its respective officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of the US securities laws. There is also substantial doubt as to enforceability in Bermuda, in original actions or in actions for enforcement, of the judgments of US courts, based on the civil liability provisions of US federal securities laws.

Overseas Shareholders

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into certain jurisdictions other than Bermuda, Singapore or the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and/or regulations and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda, Singapore or the United Kingdom should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. The information disclosed in this announcement has been prepared for the purposes of complying with Bermudian, Singaporean and English law and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside of Bermuda, Singapore and England and Wales.

Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition shall not be, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) should observe these restrictions and must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction.

Forward-looking Statements

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made by or on behalf of Jardine Matheson and/or Mandarin Oriental regarding the Acquisition, the Scheme, and other information published by or on behalf of Jardine Matheson and/or Mandarin Oriental or their respective affiliates may contain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and on numerous assumptions regarding the business strategies and the environment in which Jardine Matheson and/or Mandarin Oriental shall operate in the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement relate to Jardine Matheson and/or Mandarin Oriental's future prospects, developments and business strategies, the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and the Scheme and other statements other than historical facts. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that shall occur in the future. These events and circumstances include changes in the global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax rates and future business combinations or disposals. If any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialises or if any one or more of the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors.

Neither Jardine Matheson or Mandarin Oriental, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement shall actually occur. Given these risks and uncertainties, potential investors should not place any reliance on forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements speak only at the date of this announcement. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Jardine Matheson or Mandarin Oriental or any of their respective associates, directors, officers, employees or advisers, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above.

Jardine Matheson, Mandarin Oriental, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley and their respective affiliates expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement or any other forward-looking statements they may make whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

No profit forecasts or estimates

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or estimate for any period and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share for Jardine Matheson or Mandarin Oriental, as appropriate, for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share for Jardine Matheson or Mandarin Oriental, as appropriate.

General

If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or independent financial adviser duly authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) if you are a resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser.

 

not for release, publication or distribution in whole or in part, in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws OR REGULATIONS of such jurisdiction.

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION.

 

For immediate release

 

17 October 2025

 

 

RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION

 

for

 

Mandarin Oriental INTERNATIONAL Limited ("Mandarin Oriental")

by

 

JARDINE STRATEGIC LIMITED ("BIDCO"), A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF JARDINE MATHESON Limited ("Jardine Matheson")

 

(to be implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement under the Bermuda Companies Act)

 

1.   Introduction

2.   The Acquisition

US$3.35 in cash in respect of each Mandarin Oriental Share, comprising:

·     US$2.75 in cash (the "Scheme Value"); and

·     a special dividend of US$0.60 in cash (being the special dividend referenced by Mandarin Oriental in the OCB Sale Announcement) (the "OCB Dividend"),

(together, the "Total Value").

52.3 per cent. premium to the Closing Price of US$2.20 per Mandarin Oriental Share on 29 September 2025, being the last Business Day prior to the announcement by Mandarin Oriental on 30 September 2025 in relation to the possible sale of part of its interest in One Causeway Bay (the "Unaffected Day");

62.6 per cent. premium to the volume-weighted average price of US$2.06 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the one-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day;

65.8 per cent. premium to the volume-weighted average price of US$2.02 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the three-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day;

70.9 per cent. premium to the volume-weighted average price of US$1.96 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the six-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day; and

53.7 per cent. premium to the net asset value of US$2.18 per Mandarin Oriental Share as of 30 June 2025.

71.9 per cent. premium to the adjusted Closing Price of US$1.60 per Mandarin Oriental Share on the Unaffected Day, being the Closing Price of US$2.20 per Mandarin Oriental Share on the Unaffected Day minus the value of the OCB Dividend;

88.4 per cent. premium to the adjusted volume-weighted average price of US$1.46 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the one-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day, being the volume-weighted average price of US$2.06 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the same period minus the OCB Dividend;

93.7 per cent. premium to the adjusted volume-weighted average price of US$1.42 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the three-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day, being the volume-weighted average price of US$2.02 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the same period minus the OCB Dividend;

102.2 per cent. premium to the adjusted volume-weighted average price of US$1.36 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the six-month period immediately prior to and including the Unaffected Day, being the volume-weighted average price of US$1.96 per Mandarin Oriental Share over the same period minus the OCB Dividend; and

74.1 per cent. premium to the net asset value minus the OCB Dividend of US$1.58, being the net asset value of US$2.18 per Mandarin Oriental Share as of 30 June 2025 minus the OCB Dividend.

3.   Background to and reasons for the proposal by Jardine Matheson

Jardine Matheson has been a long-time controlling shareholder in Mandarin Oriental, holding 88.04 per cent. of Mandarin Oriental as of the last Business Day prior to this announcement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bidco, and Mandarin Oriental has been a core and integral part of Jardine Matheson's portfolio. The Acquisition is consistent with Jardine Matheson's strategy to deliver superior, long-term returns from its portfolio of market-leading businesses focused on Asia and is aligned with a group-wide capital allocation framework.

The OCB Sale and the OCB Dividend create the opportunity to implement the Acquisition, by establishing a clear and compelling valuation for the One Causeway Bay project as a whole and returning to Mandarin Oriental Shareholders a material amount of capital. The Jardine Matheson Board considers full private ownership as beneficial for both Mandarin Oriental and Jardine Matheson. Privatization of Mandarin Oriental would simplify Jardine Matheson's existing corporate structure, while better supporting Mandarin Oriental in achieving its growth objectives.

The Jardine Matheson Board believe the terms and structure of the Acquisition are in the best interest of Mandarin Oriental and the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders. The intention of the Acquisition is to provide the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders with an opportunity to realise full value for their Mandarin Oriental Shares. In circumstances where the Acquisition does not proceed, Jardine Matheson intends to continue to pursue the delisting of Mandarin Oriental through other means. Jardine Matheson also reserves the right to continue to purchase Mandarin Oriental Shares at or below the Total Value prior to the ex-OCB Dividend date, and at or below the Scheme Value thereafter, after the date of this announcement.

4.   Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee

5.   Background to and reasons for the intended recommendation

In arriving at the conclusions set out in Section 4 above, the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee carefully considered the terms of the Acquisition as set out in this document and has taken into account a range of factors including:

(i)       Total Value and Scheme Value represent an attractive premium: from a valuation perspective, the Total Value and the Scheme Value: (i) represent an attractive premium based on a number of different metrics, including historical closing prices of Mandarin Oriental Shares and net asset value (as further detailed in Section 2 above); and (ii) are in line with other take-private premia observed in Singapore and Hong Kong markets;

(ii)       Fundamental value of Mandarin Oriental: the Transaction Committee has also cross-checked the value of Mandarin Oriental on a fundamental basis, taking into account the value of One Causeway Bay (including the sale price pursuant to the OCB Sale and the floors retained by Mandarin Oriental following the OCB Sale), the value of the hotels owned by Mandarin Oriental and the value of Mandarin Oriental's hotel management business, which have been fairly reflected in the Total Value and the Scheme Value; and

(iii)     Unique opportunity to exit fully in cash: the Transaction Committee has also considered the historic trading behaviour of Mandarin Oriental Shares, including the low trading volumes and low liquidity of Mandarin Oriental Shares and the persistent discount to Mandarin Oriental's adjusted net asset value. The Acquisition provides an immediate opportunity for Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders to sell their Mandarin Oriental Shares for a certain amount of cash at an attractive premium (as described above) without incurring any discount from selling into the market. In addition, Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders will also receive a material return of cash from the proceeds of the OCB Sale through the OCB Dividend. Given Jardine Matheson's position as a controlling shareholder of Mandarin Oriental and its confirmation that it has no intention to divest its stake in Mandarin Oriental, there is no reasonable prospect that there will be any equivalent opportunity for all Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders to sell their investment in Mandarin Oriental in full, at premia levels as described above.

6.   About the Mandarin Oriental Group

7.   About the Jardine Matheson Group

8.   Q3 Interim Management Statement Announcement

9.   Transaction Agreement

10.  Conditions

11.  Financing

12.  Description of the Scheme

(i)     the Scheme must be approved by a majority in number of the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders who are present and voting (in person or by proxy) at the Court Meeting and who represent at least 75 per cent. in value of the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shares voted. Bidco will not be entitled to, and will not, vote at the Court Meeting;

(ii)      a special resolution approving the Acquisition and certain ancillary matters relating to the Scheme must be passed by Mandarin Oriental Shareholders representing at least 75 per cent. of votes cast at the Special General Meeting; and

(iii)       the sanction of the Scheme by the Court.

The Scheme will only become effective upon delivery of the Court Order sanctioning the Scheme to the Registrar of Companies.

13.  Irrevocable undertakings

14.  Disclosure of Interests

15.  Delisting

16.  General

Enquiries:

For further information, please contact:


Brunswick


Tom Burns

+44 (0) 20 7404 5959

Gavin Cross

+852 9522 6819


JARDINES@brunswickgroup.com

Jardines

 

Harry Thompson

+852 9107 9370

Harry.Thompson@jardines.com

Advisors

J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited is acting as financial advisor, to Jardine Matheson and Bidco in connection with the Acquisition. Linklaters LLP is acting as legal advisor to Jardine Matheson in connection with the Acquisition. Morgan Stanley Asia Limited is acting as financial advisor to the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee in connection with the Acquisition. Slaughter and May is acting as legal advisor to the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee in connection with the Acquisition.

Inside Information

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by Mandarin Oriental to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018). Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Mandarin Oriental is Kieren Barry, Group Counsel.

Important Notices

J.P. Morgan is acting as financial advisor exclusively for Jardine Matheson and Bidco and no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than Jardine Matheson or Bidco for providing the protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan or its affiliates, not for providing advice in relation to the Acquisition or any other matter or arrangement referred to herein.

Morgan Stanley is acting exclusively for the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee and no one else in connection with the Acquisition and shall not be responsible to anyone other than the Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee for providing the protections afforded to clients of Morgan Stanley nor for providing advice in connection with the Acquisition or any other matter or arrangement referred to herein. Neither Morgan Stanley nor any of its affiliates, their respective directors, officers, employees or agents owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Morgan Stanley in connection with the Acquisition or any statement contained herein or otherwise.

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Mandarin Oriental in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, prospectus equivalent or prospectus exempted document.

The Circular will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the Scheme. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information in the Circular. Mandarin Oriental Shareholders are advised to read the formal documentation in relation to the Acquisition carefully, once it has been dispatched.

Notice to United States Holders of Mandarin Oriental Shares

The Acquisition relates to the shares of a Bermudian company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under Bermudian company law. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer rules or the proxy solicitation rules under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in Bermuda to schemes of arrangement, which differ from the disclosure requirements of United States tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. The financial information included or incorporated by reference in this document has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (as adopted by the European Union) and thus may not be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Mandarin Oriental is a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda. A majority of the assets of Mandarin Oriental are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for Mandarin Oriental Shareholders in the United States to effect service of process within the United States upon Mandarin Oriental or its respective officers or directors or to enforce against any of them judgments of the United States courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. It may not be possible to sue Mandarin Oriental or its respective officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of the US securities laws. There is also substantial doubt as to enforceability in Bermuda, in original actions or in actions for enforcement, of the judgments of US courts, based on the civil liability provisions of US federal securities laws.

Overseas Shareholders

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into certain jurisdictions other than Bermuda, Singapore or the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and/or regulations and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda, Singapore or the United Kingdom should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. The information disclosed in this announcement has been prepared for the purposes of complying with Bermudian, Singaporean and English law and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside of Bermuda, Singapore and England and Wales.

Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition shall not be, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) should observe these restrictions and must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction.

Forward-looking Statements

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made by or on behalf of Jardine Matheson and/or Mandarin Oriental regarding the Acquisition, the Scheme, and other information published by or on behalf of Jardine Matheson and/or Mandarin Oriental or their respective affiliates may contain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and on numerous assumptions regarding the business strategies and the environment in which Jardine Matheson and/or Mandarin Oriental shall operate in the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement relate to Jardine Matheson and/or Mandarin Oriental's future prospects, developments and business strategies, the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and the Scheme and other statements other than historical facts. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that shall occur in the future. These events and circumstances include changes in the global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax rates and future business combinations or disposals. If any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialises or if any one or more of the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors.

Neither Jardine Matheson or Mandarin Oriental, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement shall actually occur. Given these risks and uncertainties, potential investors should not place any reliance on forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements speak only at the date of this announcement. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Jardine Matheson or Mandarin Oriental or any of their respective associates, directors, officers, employees or advisers, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above.

Jardine Matheson, Mandarin Oriental, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley and their respective affiliates expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement or any other forward-looking statements they may make whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

No profit forecasts or estimates

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or estimate for any period and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share for Jardine Matheson or Mandarin Oriental, as appropriate, for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share for Jardine Matheson or Mandarin Oriental, as appropriate.

General

If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or independent financial adviser duly authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) if you are a resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser.


APPENDIX I
CONDITIONS AND certain FURTHER TERMS OF THE Acquisition

1.   Conditions of the Acquisition

(a)      The Acquisition will be conditional upon the Scheme becoming unconditional and effective by no later than the Long Stop Date or such later date (if any) as Jardine Matheson and Mandarin Oriental may agree and, if required, the Court may allow.

(b)        The Scheme shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i)        its approval by a majority in number of the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders who are present and vote (in person or by proxy) at the Court Meeting and who represent 75 per cent. in value of the Independent Mandarin Oriental Shares voted by those Independent Mandarin Oriental Shareholders;

(ii)       the resolutions required to implement the Scheme being duly passed by Mandarin Oriental Shareholders representing 75 per cent. or more of the votes cast (in person or by proxy) at the Special General Meeting; and

(iii)      the sanction of the Scheme by the Court and the delivery of a copy of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies.

(c)        In addition, the Acquisition shall be conditional upon the following Conditions and, accordingly, the Court Order shall not be delivered to the Registrar of Companies unless such Conditions (as amended, if appropriate) have been satisfied or, where relevant, waived:

(i)     no binding judgment or order having been given, made, issued or enforced by any Regulatory Authority which prohibits or prevents the Scheme from becoming effective;

(ii)       the Transaction Agreement not having been terminated; and

(iii)      the OCB Sale having completed.

2.   Certain Further Terms of the Acquisition

(a)     The availability of the Acquisition to persons not resident in the United Kingdom, Singapore or Bermuda may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom, Singapore or Bermuda should inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements.

(b)        The Scheme will be governed by Bermudian law and be subject to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Bermuda and to the Conditions set out in this announcement and in the Circular. The Acquisition will comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the London Stock Exchange, the FCA, the Bermuda Stock Exchange and the Singapore Exchange.

 

 



 

APPENDIX II
SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND BASES OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

(a)  As at the close of business on 16 October 2025 (being the last Business Day prior to publication of this announcement), there were 1,263,809,532 Mandarin Oriental Shares in issue. The International Securities Identification Number for Mandarin Oriental Shares is BMG578481068.

(b)  Unless stated otherwise, any references to the issued and to be issued share capital of Mandarin Oriental are based on the 1,263,809,532 Mandarin Oriental Shares referred to in paragraph (a) above.

(c)  The value of the entire issued ordinary share capital of Mandarin Oriental (prior to the payment of the OCB Dividend) of approximately US$4.2 billion based on the Total Value of US$3.35 per Mandarin Oriental Share is calculated on the basis of a total number of Mandarin Oriental Shares in issue of 1,263,809,532.

(d)  References to Closing Prices are to the closing middle market price of a Mandarin Oriental Share on a particular trading day on the Singapore Exchange.

(e)  Unless otherwise stated, the financial information relating to Mandarin Oriental is extracted from the consolidated financial statements of Mandarin Oriental for the half-year ended 30 June 2025, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

(f) Certain figures included in this announcement have been subjected to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category may vary slightly and figures shown as totals may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.

 



 

APPENDIX III
DEFINITIONS

 

The following definitions apply throughout this announcement unless the context requires otherwise.

"Mandarin Oriental Transaction Committee"

APPENDIX IV
OCB SALE ANNOUNCEMENT

 

17 October 2025

 

The following announcement was issued today to a Regulatory Information Service approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION.

                                                                                                                                     

MANDARIN ORIENTAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

MANDARIN ORIENTAL TO SELL 301,555 SQUARE FEET OF ONE CAUSEWAY BAY TO ALIBABA GROUP AND ANT GROUP FOR US$925 MILLION

 

Overview

 

Mandarin Oriental International Limited ("Mandarin Oriental" or the "Company") announces today that Alibaba Group and Ant Group (together, the "Purchasers") have contracted to acquire the top thirteen floors of One Causeway Bay (Levels 21-35) as their headquarters in Hong Kong, as well as the building's rooftop signage and 50 parking spaces (together the "Property").

 

This commitment is a resounding expression of confidence in Hong Kong's attractiveness as a global gateway city and the vitality of our local economy, as well as a clear statement regarding the quality of One Causeway Bay in particular. One Causeway Bay presents best in class design perfectly located in the middle of Hong Kong, built to premium standards, with ESG platinum grading from BEAM Plus, LEED, and WELL.

 

The sale marks a further advancement in Mandarin Oriental's asset-light strategy and will enable a significant return of capital to shareholders. We will continue to focus on the rapid growth of the Mandarin Oriental management business and the strengthening of the brand.

 

Principal Terms

 

Under Preliminary Agreements for Sale and Purchase (dated today's date), One Causeway Bay Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mandarin Oriental, has agreed to the strata title sale of the Property to the Purchasers (the "Transaction") for US$925 million.

 

Completion of the Transaction remains subject to:

(i)        approval from the National Development and Reform Commission (the "NDRC Approval Condition");

(ii)      the Company and the Purchasers entering into a Deed of Mutual Covenant in accordance with agreed criteria in relation to the management of the Property (the "DMC Condition"); and

(iii)       other conditions customary for a transaction of this nature.   

 

Subject to satisfaction of the conditions, completion of the Transaction is expected to occur on 31 December 2025, with the sale proceeds expected to be received on the same day. Mandarin Oriental will provide the Purchasers with a fixed sum of US$37 million towards planned enhancements to the Property.

 

Valuation Analysis and Financial Impact

 

Total purchase price: US$925 million

 

Total floor area: 301,555 square feet

 

The purchase price of the Property reflects the carrying value of the Property by Mandarin Oriental as of 30 June 2025. The carrying value was based on a market valuation of the Property prepared by an independent valuation firm. The Property represents 36% of the total value of Mandarin Oriental's tangible fixed assets and investment properties, using the carrying value as at 30 June 2025. The remaining office and retail space of One Causeway Bay, amounting to 286,984 and 82,550 square feet respectively, remain owned by Mandarin Oriental.

 

Use of Proceeds

 

The Company will repay borrowings of US$96m drawn for construction of the Property and will retain up to 3% of the gross proceeds to fund the remaining construction cost of One Causeway Bay. The Company will provide the Purchasers with a fixed sum of US$37 million towards planned enhancements to the Property.

 

The remaining proceeds, after selling expenses, are expected to amount to approximately US$758m and will be distributed to shareholders via a special dividend. Details regarding the special dividend, including the amount per share, record date and payment date, will be announced in due course.

 

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Kieren Barry, Group Counsel.

 

 

- end -

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Mandarin Oriental International Limited

 

Max Fleming                                                                                                maxfleming@mohg.com

Director of Corporate Finance, Hong Kong                                                (852) 2895 9171

 

Chris Orlikowski                                                                                          corlikowski@mohg.com

Director of Global Communications, London                                             (44) 791 7280 210

 

This and other Group announcements can be accessed online at 'www.mandarinoriental.com'.

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