Nuremberg, 2 June 2005 - GfK (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: GFK, Prime Standard Segment; SDAX) intends to place up to 3.15m shares from a capital increase. The Management and the Supervisory Boards of GfK have decided to increase the Company's share capital against contribution in cash, with the exclusion of preemptive rights. The shares will be placed through an accelerated bookbuilding process to German and international institutional investors (including a placement to qualified institutional buyers in the U.S. in reliance on Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933). Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and ABN AMRO Rothschild are acting as Joint Bookrunners of the transaction. Pricing and allocation of the capital increase is expected to occur on or before 3 June 2005.
The issue proceeds will be used to partly refinance the acquisition of NOP World from United Business Media, further to the successful closing of the acquisition on 1 June 2005.
This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission or an exemption from registration. The issuer does not plan to register the securities for sale to the public in the United States.