`
Leverage Shares
plc
26 March
2024
Notice to the ETP
Securityholders of a Meeting of the Leverage Shares 2x Microsoft
ETP
THIS NOTICE IS IMPORTANT AND
REQUIRES THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF THE HOLDERS OF THE ETP
SECURITIES. IF ANY ETP SECURITYHOLDER IS IN ANY DOUBT AS TO THE
ACTION THEY SHOULD TAKE, THEY SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT
PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS IMMEDIATELY. THIS NOTICE MAY CONTAIN INSIDE
INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU)
596/2014.
If
you have recently sold or otherwise transferred your entire
holding(s) of ETP Securities referred to below, you should
immediately forward this document to the purchaser or transferee or
to the stockbroker, bank or other agent through whom the sale or
transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser or
transferee
Leverage
Shares PLC
2nd Floor, Block 5
Irish
Life Centre
Abbey
Street Lower
Dublin
1
D01
P767
Ireland
(the
"Issuer")
Leverage
Shares 2x Microsoft ETP (ISIN: IE00BF03XY85)
(together
the "Relevant
Series")
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a
meeting convened by the Issuer (the "Meeting") of the ETP Securityholders
of the Relevant Series will be held at 2nd Floor, Block
5, Irish Life Centre, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1, D01 P767,
Ireland on 18 April 2024 (which is at least 21 calendar days after
the date hereof (exclusive of the day on which this notice is given
and of the day of the Meeting) at 4.00 pm Dublin time. Such Meeting
will be held for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit,
passing the resolution set out in Annex 1 hereto, which will be
proposed as an Extraordinary Resolution, in accordance with the
provisions of Schedule 6 (Provisions for Meetings of the ETP
Securityholders) of the master trust deed originally dated 5
December 2017 as most recently amended and restated on 16 August
2022 and as supplemented by a supplemental trust deed dated 7
December 2017 (the "Trust
Deed") made between the Issuer and Apex Corporate Trustees
(UK) Limited (the "Trustee") and constituting the
Relevant Series.
Capitalised terms used, but not
defined, in this Notice shall have the meaning given thereto in the
Conditions of the ETP Securities set out therein.
BACKGROUND TO PROPOSED DIVISION OF THE ETP SECURITIES OF THE
RELEVANT SERIES
The Issuer considers that the ETP
Security Value of the ETP Securities of the Relevant Series is too
high for the ETPs to be an attractive investment for prospective
investors. The Issuer is therefore proposing to divide all of the
ETP Securities of the Relevant Series into ETP Securities with a
proportionately lower ETP Security Value of approximately US$ 30.15
per ETP Security (the "Target ETP
Security Value"), so that for every ETP Security of the
Relevant Series held by an ETP Securityholder, they will hold a
greater number of ETP Securities after the division such that the
resulting ETP Security Value is as close as possible to the Target
ETP Security Value (the "Division"). The number of ETP
Securities resulting from the division relative to the number of
ETP Securities before the division (the "Division Ratio") would be determined by
the Issuer by reference to the ETP Security Value of the Relevant
Series on a Valuation Date following approval of the Division, as
shall be notified to ETP Securityholders.
ETP Securityholders should be aware
that it is not proposed to reduce the Principal Amount applicable
to the Relevant Series proportionate to the Division.
The below example demonstrates the
impact the Division would have on an ETP Securityholder's economic
interest in a Series of ETP Securities, assuming a target ETP
Security Value of $10
|
# ETP Securities held by an ETP
Securityholder
|
Hypothetical Value per ETP
Security
|
Value
economic interest
|
Pre
division effective date
|
20
|
US$1000
|
US$20,000
|
Division effective date
|
2000
[20*100]
|
US $10
[1000/100]
|
US$20,000
|
The Division would be effected by a
deed supplemental to the Trust Deed prepared by the Issuer and in
such form as the Issuer considers necessary, appropriate or
expedient to give effect to the Division (the "Division Supplemental Trust
Deed").
PROPOSAL
The purpose of the Meeting is for
the ETP Securityholders to consider and, if thought fit, approve
the Division (the "Proposal").
The
Issuer is aware of 2 holders of ETP Securities, together holding 2
ETP Securities of the Relevant Series, who have indicated their
intention to vote in favour of the Proposal. Accordingly, if
such indications are correct and if no other ETP Securityholders of
the Relevant Series choose to vote, it is anticipated that the
Proposal will ultimately be approved.
If the Proposal is approved by the
Meeting, the Division would become effective on such date as shall
be notified to the ETP Securityholders of the Relevant Series by
the Issuer.
FORM OF THE EXTRAORDINARY
RESOLUTION
The resolution that will be put to
the ETP Securityholders of the Relevant Series at the Meeting in
order to pass the Proposal is set out in Annex
1 hereto. The Proposal is set out in a single Extraordinary
Resolution.
DOCUMENTATION
The
Trustee has not been involved in the formulation or negotiation of
the Proposal (as defined herein) and, in accordance with normal
practice, the Trustee expresses no opinion on the merits of the
Proposal (which it was not involved in negotiating) or the
Extraordinary Resolution (as set out herein) and no opinion on
whether the ETP Securityholders would be acting in their best
interests voting for or against the Proposal or the Extraordinary
Resolution but on the basis of the information contained in this
Notice has authorised it to be stated that it has no objection to
the Extraordinary Resolution being submitted to the ETP
Securityholders for their consideration. The Trustee makes no
representation that all relevant information has been disclosed to
the ETP Securityholders in connection with the Proposal in this
Notice or otherwise. The Trustee is not responsible for the
accuracy, completeness, validity or correctness of the statements
made in this Notice or omissions therefrom. Nothing in this Notice
should be construed as a recommendation to the ETP Securityholders
from the Trustee to vote in favour of, or against, any of the
Proposal or the Extraordinary Resolution. The Trustee recommends
that the ETP Securityholders take their own independent
professional advice on the merits and the consequences of voting in
favour of, or against, each of the Extraordinary Resolution and the
Proposal.
No
person has been authorised to make any recommendation on behalf of
the Issuer, the Trustee or the Issuing and Paying Agent as to
whether or how the ETP Securityholders should vote pursuant to the
Proposal. No person has been authorised to give any information, or
to make any representation in connection therewith, other than
those contained herein. If made or given, such recommendation or
any such information or representation must not be relied upon as
having been authorised by the Issuer, the Trustee or the Issuing
and Paying Agent.
This Notice is issued and directed only to the ETP
Securityholders of the Relevant Series and no other person shall,
or is entitled to, rely or act on, or be able to rely or act on,
its contents.
Each person receiving this Notice must make its own analysis
and investigation regarding the Proposal and make its own voting
decision, with particular reference to its own investment
objectives and experience, and any other factors which may be
relevant to it in connection with such voting decision. If such
person is in any doubt about any aspect of the Proposal and/or the
action it should take in respect of it, it should consult its
professional advisers.
QUORUM AND
VOTING
The provisions governing the
convening and holding of the Meetings are set out in Schedule 6 to
the Trust Deed (Provisions for
Meetings of ETP Securityholders).
Quorum
The quorum required at a meeting called to pass
the Extraordinary Resolution is two or more ETP Securityholders or
agents present in person holding or representing in the aggregate
more than 50 per cent. of the number of the ETP Securities for the
time being outstanding.
If a quorum is not present within 15 minutes
from the time initially fixed for the Meeting, the Meeting shall be
adjourned until such date, not less than 14 nor more than 42
calendar days later at such time and place as the chairman of such
meeting (the "Chairperson")
determines (the "adjourned
meeting"). If a quorum is not present within 15 minutes from
the time fixed for the adjourned meeting, the adjourned meeting
will be dissolved. At least 14 calendar days' prior notice of a
meeting adjourned through want of a quorum shall be given in the
same manner as for an original meeting and such notice shall state
the quorum required at the adjourned meeting. The quorum required
for any such adjourned meeting will be two or more ETP
Securityholders or agents present in person being or representing
ETP Securityholders, whatever the number of the ETP Securities so
held or represented.
Voting
The provisions for meetings of the
ETP Securityholders is set out in Schedule 6 of the Master Trust
Deed. A holder of an ETP Security may appoint a proxy in
accordance with the relevant rules and procedures of the Relevant
Clearing System.
In order to exercise voting
instructions an ETP Securityholder must request the Relevant
Clearing System to block the ETPs of the Relevant Series in his own
account and to hold the same to the order or under the control of a
Paying Agent not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for the
Meeting in order to give voting instructions to the relevant Paying
Agent in respect of the votes attributable to the blocked Relevant
ETP Securities. Unless an ETP Securityholder instructs otherwise,
the chairman of the Meeting shall be deemed to be appointed as the
ETP Securityholder's proxy for the Meeting. The Relevant ETP
Securities so blocked will not be released until the earlier of (i)
the conclusion of the Meeting or, where the Meeting is not quorate,
the conclusion of the adjourned meeting; and (ii) in respect of a
form of proxy, not less than 48 hours before the time for which the
Meeting is convened or the revocation of such form of proxy where
notice of such revocation has been given to the relevant Paying
Agent. Any voting instructions
received by the Registrar with respect to the Meeting, shall,
unless revoked in accordance with the provisions set out herein,
remain valid for any adjourned meeting.
Voting instructions must
therefore be received by the Registrar by
4.00pm on 16 April 2024. The deadlines set by any intermediary,
broker, dealer, commercial bank, custodian, trust company or other
nominee institution and each Relevant Clearing System for the
submission and (in the limited circumstances where permitted)
revocation of voting instructions may be earlier than the relevant
deadlines specified above. You should check with your relevant
custodian or nominee immediately to understand what earlier
deadlines are set by your nominee institution or
institutions.
Any proxy so appointed or
representative so appointed shall so long as such appointment
remains in full force be deemed, for all purposes in connection
with the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting of the ETP
Securityholders, to be the holder of the ETP Securities to which
such appointment relates and the holder of the ETP Securities shall
be deemed for such purposes not to be the holder or owner,
respectively.
Each question submitted to the Meeting shall be
decided by a show of hands unless a poll is (before, or on the
declaration of the result of, the show of hands) demanded by the
chairman, the Issuer, the Trustee or one or more persons
representing 2 per cent. of the aggregate number of the ETP
Securities outstanding.
Unless a poll is demanded, a declaration by the
chairman that a resolution has or has not been passed shall be
conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or
proportion of the votes cast in favour of or against it.
If a poll is demanded, it shall be taken in
such manner and (subject as provided below) either at once or after
such adjournment as the chairman directs. The result of the poll
shall be deemed to be the resolution of the Meeting as at the date
it was taken. A demand for a poll shall not prevent the Meeting
continuing for the transaction of business other than the question
on which it has been demanded.
A poll demanded on the election of a chairman
or on a question of adjournment shall be taken at once.
On a poll, every such person has one vote in
respect of each ETP Security of such Series of ETP Securities so
produced or represented by the voting certificate so produced or
for which he is a proxy or representative. Without prejudice to the
obligations of proxies, a person entitled to more than one vote
need not use them all or cast them all in the same way.
To be passed at the Meeting, an
Extraordinary Resolution requires a majority of at least 75
per cent. of the votes cast.
An Extraordinary Resolution shall be binding on
all the ETP Securityholders, whether or not present at the meeting
and each of them shall be bound to give effect to it accordingly.
The passing of an Extraordinary Resolution shall be conclusive
evidence that the circumstances justify its being passed. The
Issuer shall give notice of the passing of an Extraordinary
Resolution to ETP Securityholders within 14 calendar days but
failure to do so shall not invalidate such an Extraordinary
Resolution.
Subject to the quorum for the
Meeting being satisfied and the Extraordinary Resolution being
passed at the Meeting by a majority of at least 75 per cent. of the
votes cast and all relevant documents being executed, the Proposal
will become effective and the ETP Securityholders will be notified
thereof by the Issuer in accordance with the Conditions.
This notice is given by:
Leverage Shares plc
___________________
Dated 26 March 2024
Contact details:
Apex IFS Limited
2nd Floor, Block
5
Irish Life Centre
Abbey Street Lower
Dublin 1
D01 P767
ANNEX 1
FORM OF EXTRAORDINARY
RESOLUTION
"THAT this meeting of the holders of
the Leverage Shares 2x Microsoft ETP of Leverage Shares plc
currently outstanding (the "ETP
Securityholders", the "ETP
Securities" and the "Issuer" respectively) constituted by
the master trust deed originally dated 5 December 2017 as most
recently amended and restated on 16 August 2022 and as supplemented
by a supplemental trust deed dated 7 December 2017 (the
"Trust Deed") made between,
among others, the Issuer and Apex Corporate Trustees (UK) Limited
(the "Trustee") as trustee
for the ETP Securityholders hereby resolves by way of Extraordinary
Resolution to:
1.
assent to the Division and authorise and direct
the Trustee to concur and agree to the Division and authorise and
direct the Trustee and the Issuer, where applicable, to execute the
Division Supplemental Trust Deed (the matters referred to above,
the "Proposal");
2.
sanction every abrogation, modification,
variation, compromise, waiver or arrangement in respect of the
rights of the ETP Securityholders appertaining to the ETP
Securities, whether or not such rights arise under the Trust Deed,
involved in or resulting from or effected by the Proposal and its
implementation or otherwise necessary or appropriate to carry out
and give effect to the Proposal;
3.
waive any and all formalities described in and
required by the Trust Deed, the ETP Securities, the Conditions
and/or any other document relating to the ETP Securities in
connection with the Proposal;
4.
authorise, direct, request and empower the Trustee
and the Issuer to concur in the Proposal and, in order to give
effect thereto and to implement the same, to execute the Division
Supplemental Trust Deed and to execute and do, all such other
deeds, instruments, acts and things as may be necessary, expedient,
desirable or appropriate to carry out and give effect to this
Extraordinary Resolution and the implementation of the
Proposal;
5.
discharge and exonerate the Trustee and the Issuer
from all and any liability for which they may have become or may
become responsible under the Trust Deed or the ETP Securities in
respect of any act or omission in connection with the Proposal, its
implementation or this Extraordinary Resolution and its
implementation;
6.
irrevocably and unconditionally waive any claim
that we may have against the Trustee as a result of anything done
or omitted to be done by the Trustee in good faith in connection
with this (i) Extraordinary Resolution, (ii) the Division, (iii)
the Division Supplemental Trust Deed and/or (iv) the
Proposal;
7.
indemnify the Trustee, on demand, against any
cost, loss or liability incurred in connection with (i) any act (or
omission to act) or step implementing this Extraordinary
Resolution, (ii) the Division, (iii) the Division Supplemental
Trust Deed and/or (iv) the Proposal; unless such cost, loss or
liability has been caused by the Trustee's fraud, gross negligence
or wilful default; and
8.
acknowledge that capitalised terms used in this
Extraordinary Resolution have the same meanings as those defined in
the Notice of Meeting and/ or the Trust Deed (including the
Conditions of the ETP Securities), unless otherwise defined herein
or unless the context otherwise requires."