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GENEVA, Switzerland, December 26, 2007 — STMicroelectronics
(NYSE:STM), announced today that Intel, Francisco Partners
and ST have agreed to extend the deadline for the closing of Numonyx,
the joint flash memory venture, to March 28, 2008. The three parties
continue to work to satisfy the conditions to closing for the transaction,
and expect the closing to take place in Q1 2008.
ST also announced that the parties have received executed bank commitments
for the financing of Numonyx, following the significant turmoil in the
debt capital markets. The revised financing terms involve a senior loan
of up to $650 million, and a $100 million committed revolving credit
facility for Numonyx. As anticipated, at closing Francisco Partners
will invest $150 million in exchange for a 6.3% shareholding. In exchange
for its contribution of its flash memory business, ST will receive 48.6%
of Numonyx’shares and $364 million through a combination of cash
(in the range from low double digits to $130 million) and long-term
subordinated interest-bearing notes. In its Financial Statements for
the fourth quarter of 2007, ST expects to recognize adjustments to its
previously estimated non-cash impairment loss, net of tax benefits,
related to this transaction.
Based on the finalized financing structure, at closing Numonyx is expected
to have a similar level of net cash, with lower indebtedness, than originally
anticipated.
After closing, Numonyx will be the industry’s largest supplier
of NOR flash memory and a leader in nonvolatile memory solutions with
a substantial patent portfolio. Intel, Francisco Partners and ST intend
for Numonyx to hit the ground running, with an energized and independent
work force, substantial intellectual property, modern and well-equipped
manufacturing facilities, and a broad and diverse customer base.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor
solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled
combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength,
Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions
the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and
its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets.
The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange,
on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2006, the Company's
net revenues were $9.85 billion and net earnings were $782 million.
Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
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