E-Malt.com News article: 3385

Australia: Foster's (FBG Finance Limited and FBG Treasury (Aust) Limited) announced on October 5, 2004 the successful repurchase of US$118,650,000 of its outstanding 15/11/05 6.75% US$200,000,000 notes and €120,000,000 of its 17/03/05 5.75% €300,000,000 notes pursuant to tender offers announced to the market on 23 September 2004. Further details of these transactions are included as attachments A and B to this announcement.

In addition to the above tenders, Foster’s has also repurchased US$40,000,000 of its outstanding 15/6/11 6.875% US$500,000,000 notes. The purchases of the abovementioned securities will be funded by the net proceeds of a US$300,000,000 offering of 4.875% notes due October 1, 2014, announced by the Group on 29 September 2004, the company said.

Foster's Group is a premium global multi-beverage company delivering a total portfolio of beer, wine, spirits, cider and non-alcohol beverages. Foster's makes and markets Australia's most famous beer, Foster's Lager, and produces premium. Foster's Carlton & United Breweries brews Australia's leading beer brands including Victoria Bitter, Crown Lager, Carlton Draught and Cascade Premium Lager. Foster's Group has a total operating revenue of A$5.2 billion with operations across the globe in Australia, New Zealand, China, California, Italy, Chile, Vietnam, India and Fiji. As an Australian public company with a global focus and a business balance across 150 countries, Foster's emphasises excellence in manufacturing, technological innovation, the development of superior brands and working collaboratively with our customers and key suppliers to build brand equity. These attributes, combined with Foster's business philosophy of building long-term growth through this clear focus on brand equity, margin management and capital efficiency, are driving Foster's to generate increased shareholder value and maintain its status as a leading global investment choice.


05 October, 2004