Exhibit (a)(5)(ii)
26 February 2003
REUTERS BEGINS TENDER OFFER TO ACQUIRE MULTEX
London - Reuters Group PLC (LSE: RTR, NASDAQ: RTRSY), the global information
company, today is commencing its previously-announced tender offer for all
outstanding shares of Multex.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: MLTX), a premier provider of
global financial information.
The offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, 25
March 2003, unless the offer is extended.
The two companies last week announced an agreement for Reuters to acquire Multex
for $7.35 per share in cash. The tender offer, which is being conducted pursuant
to the agreement, is subject to customary conditions, including standard
regulatory approvals, and requires that sufficient shares be tendered for
Reuters to obtain at least a majority of Multex's fully diluted shares when
added to the 6% interest it already holds. The tender offer will be followed by
a merger in which all remaining Multex shareholders will receive the same per
share price.
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. has been retained by Reuters to act as information
agent for its tender offer.
CONTACT
REUTERS:
Nancy Bobrowitz Tel: +1 917 662 9279
Corporate Communications - US
nancy.bobrowitz@reuters.com
Susan Allsopp Tel: +44 207 542 8404
Corporate Communicate - UK
susan.allsopp@reuters.com
MULTEX:
Deborah Lipson Hochberg Tel: +1 212 607 2601
Investor Relations & Corporate Strategy
lipsond@multex.com
Samantha Topping Tel: +1 646 576 5584
Director Global Media Relations
stopping@multex.com
MULTEX'S STOCKHOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ REUTERS' TENDER OFFER STATEMENT ON
SCHEDULE TO AND MULTEX'S SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9
BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE RELATED
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND CERTAIN OTHER OFFER DOCUMENTS, AS WELL AS THE
SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT, ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS
OF MULTEX, AT NO EXPENSE TO THEM. THE SCHEDULE TO, THE SCHEDULE 14D-9 AND OTHER
FILED DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE AT THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION'S WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV. COPIES OF THE TENDER OFFER
MATERIALS AND THE SCHEDULE 14D-9 ARE ALSO BE ABLE TO BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING
MACKENZIE PARTNERS AT (800)-322-2885 TOLL-FREE OR BY EMAIL TO
PROXY@MACKENZIEPARTNERS.COM. THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO PURCHASE
NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL SECURITIES OF MULTEX. THE TENDER OFFER
WILL BE MADE SOLELY BY AN OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
BEING DISSEMINATED IN CONNECTION WITH THE TENDER OFFER.
Reuters Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect
to Reuters financial condition, results of operations and business. In
particular, statements regarding the consummation of the transaction are subject
to risks that the closing conditions to the transaction will not be satisfied,
including the risks that sufficient tenders by Multex shareholders are not
received or that necessary regulatory approvals are not obtained. These
statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend
on circumstances that may occur in the future. There are a number of factors
that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For additional
information regarding such factors, please see the press release issued by
Reuters 18 February 2003 regarding its Strategy Update and 2002 Results
Highlight as well as "Risk Factors" in the Reuters Annual Report and Form 20-F
for the year ended 31 December 2002. Copies of the press release and Annual
Report and Form 20-F are available on request from Reuters, 85 Fleet Street,
London EC4P 4AJ. Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Reuters
speak only as of the date they are made. Reuters does not undertake to update
any forward-looking statements.
Multex Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
This press release includes forward-looking statements made under the safe
harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words
such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks,"
"estimates," and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements.
These statements are not
guarantees of future performance. They are based on our current expectations and
projections about future events, and are subject to a number of risks,
uncertainties and assumptions about Multex that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed herein. Such risks and uncertainties are
described in the periodic reports Multex files with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including under the caption "Risk Factors that May Affect Future
Results" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to: Changing Internet markets and economic
conditions; downturns in the financial services industry; increasing competition
in our investment research, earnings estimates and ASP businesses; the loss of
existing customers or channel partners; our ability to attract and retain highly
skilled employees; uncertainty as to future U.S. and international regulations
governing the Internet; and potential failures of our network infrastructure.
Our reported results should not be considered an indication of future
performance. Unless required by law, Multex undertakes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements.
About Reuters
Reuters (www.about.reuters.com), the global information company, provides
indispensable information tailored for professionals in the financial services,
media and corporate markets. Our information is trusted and drives decision
making across the globe based on our reputation for speed, accuracy and
independence. We have 16,000 staff in 94 countries, including some 2,400
editorial staff in 197 bureaux serving approximately 130 countries, making
Reuters the world's largest international multimedia news agency. In 2002, the
Reuters Group had revenues of L3.6 billion.
Reuters and the sphere logo are the trade marks of the Reuters group of
companies.
About Multex
Founded in 1993, Multex is a leading provider of global broker and independent
research, consensus and detailed analyst estimates, and comprehensive
fundamental and business information on more than 25,000 active companies
worldwide. Through multiple delivery channels, we serve the information needs of
investment management firms, broker-dealers, corporations and individuals. Based
in New York, Multex has over 550 employees in offices across North America,
Europe and Asia.