UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

SCHEDULE 14D-9

 

Solicitation/Recommendation Statement
Under Section 14(d)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 


 

FX ALLIANCE INC.

(Name of Subject Company)

 


 

FX ALLIANCE INC.

(Name of Person Filing Statement)

 


 

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

361202104

(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

 


 

Philip Z. Weisberg

Chief Executive Officer
FX Alliance Inc.

909 Third Avenue, 10th Floor

New York, New York 10022

(646) 268-9900

(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive
notices and communications on behalf of the persons filing statement)

 


 

With copies to:

 

David Fox, Esq.

Joshua N. Korff, Esq.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

(212) 446-4800

 

x           Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer.

 

 

 



 

The following is a joint press release issued by FX Alliance Inc. and Thomson Reuters on July 9, 2012, announcing the proposed tender offer and merger.

 

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Thomson Reuters Agrees to Acquire FX Alliance Inc. (FXall), the Leading Multi-Bank Electronic Foreign Exchange Platform

 

Transaction provides FX community with an integrated end to end solution

 

NEW YORK, July 9, 2012 — Thomson Reuters (TSX / NYSE: TRI ) , the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of FXall for $22 per share in cash.  FXall (NYSE:FX), is the leading independent global provider of electronic foreign exchange trading solutions to corporations and asset managers. Under the agreement, Thomson Reuters will launch a tender offer, which is subject to standard regulatory approvals, for the acquisition in the coming days.  The FXall Board has unanimously resolved to recommend that all shareholders tender their shares into the offer.

 

Technology Crossover Ventures, FXall’s largest shareholder, Phil Weisberg, chairman and chief executive officer and John Cooley, chief financial officer, who collectively own approximately 32.5% of FXall’s outstanding shares, have each agreed to tender their shares into the offer (subject to certain terms and conditions).

 

This transaction brings together two leading companies in their respective segments of the dynamic foreign exchange marketplace, one of the largest and most liquid asset classes. FXall and Thomson Reuters have complementary customer bases and long standing relationships with bank liquidity providers.

 

Thomson Reuters is a key provider of access to market liquidity and workflow solutions to the inter-bank electronic FX markets. Participants in the FX market use Thomson Reuters to access content and pre-trade analytics, connect to their counterparties, find liquidity and trade in regulatory compliant and secure environments.

 

FXall’s leading trading and workflow processes are used worldwide by over 1,300 institutional clients including asset managers, corporations, banks, broker-dealers and hedge funds.

 

“Thomson Reuters and FXall have established leading positions in complementary aspects of electronic FX trading,” said Abel Clark, managing director, Marketplaces, Thomson Reuters. “This combination will enable us to provide our customers with integrated management of trades though the entire lifecycle, delivering the benefits of a more streamlined trading process and more efficient execution.”

 

“FXall will now have a bigger stage from which to drive greater innovation and growth, with access to Thomson Reuters global reach, standing in the FX community and focus on client solutions,”  said Phil Weisberg, chairman and chief executive officer, FXall. “The combined platform allows us to deliver greater value to our clients and employees, building upon the foundation that we have established over the past twelve years.  In addition, we believe this is a compelling transaction for our shareholders.”

 

Thomson Reuters expects the acquisition to close in the third quarter.  FXall remains fully committed to ensuring a seamless transition and continued quality of service to its customers.

 

In connection with the transaction, Barclays is acting as financial advisor to Thomson Reuters and J.P. Morgan is acting as financial advisor to FXall.

 

GRAPHIC

 

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Thomson Reuters

 

Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science and media markets, powered by the world’s most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs approximately 60,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.  For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.

 

FXall

 

FXall is the leading independent global provider of electronic foreign exchange trading solutions, with over 1,000 institutional clients worldwide. FXall’s offices in New York, Boston, Washington, London, Zurich, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney and Mumbai serve the needs of active traders, asset managers, corporate treasurers, banks, broker-dealers and prime brokers. For more information on FXall, visit www.fxall.com.

 

Important Information

 

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any of the FXall common shares. The tender offer described herein has not yet been commenced. On the commencement date of the tender offer, an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and related documents will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and thereafter a solicitation/recommendation statement with respect to the tender offer will be filed by FXall with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of these documents will be mailed to shareholders of record and will also be made available for distribution to beneficial owners of common shares. The solicitation of offers to buy the FXall common shares will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents. When they are available, shareholders should read the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents, as well as the solicitation/ recommendation statement, carefully because they will contain important information, including the various terms of, and conditions to, the tender offer. When they are available, shareholders will be able to obtain the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents and the solicitation/recommendation statement without charge from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Website at www.sec.gov.  Shareholders will be able to obtain the offer to purchase, letter of transmittal and related documents without charge from the information agent that Thomson Reuters selects and will be able to obtain free copies of FXall’s solicitation/recommendation statement and related documents filed by FXall with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the Investor Relations section of FXall’s website at www.fxall.com. Shareholders are urged to read carefully those materials when they become available prior to making any decisions with respect to the tender offer.

 

FXall Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of FXall to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that refer to expectations or other characterizations of future events, circumstances or results, including, without limitation, all statements related to the proposed business combination transaction and related transactions and the outlook for FXall’s businesses, performance and opportunities and regulatory approvals, the anticipated timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction; the expected timing of the completion of the transaction; the ability to complete the transaction considering the various closing conditions; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties as to the timing of the tender offer and business combination; uncertainties as to how many of FXall’s stockholders will tender their stock in the offer; the possibility that competing offers will be made; the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction; the effects of disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, other business partners or governmental entities; other business effects, including the effects of industry, economic or political conditions outside of FXall’s control; transaction costs; actual or contingent liabilities; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FXall from time to time, as well as the tender offer documents to be filed by Thomson Reuters and the solicitation/recommendation statement to be filed by FXall. All of the materials related to the offer (and all other offer documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) will be available at no charge from the Securities

 

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and Exchange Commission through its website at www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders will  also be able to obtain free copies of the documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FXall on the Investor Relations section of FXall website at  www.fxall.com. FXall does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as expressly required by law.

 

Thomson Reuters Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statement s

 

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of combining Thomson Reuters and FXall’s, electronic FX trading activities including future financial and operating results, the timing for the closing of the acquisition, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts.  There can be no assurance that the acquisition of FXall will be completed.  These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and reflect current expectations. As a result, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations are discussed in materials that Thomson Reuters from time to time files with, or furnishes to, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Thomson Reuters annual and quarterly reports are also available in the “Investor Relations” section of www.thomsonreuters.com.  There is no assurance that any forward-looking statements will materialize. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect expectations only as of the date of this news release.

 

CONTACTS

 

 

 

Thomson Reuters

 

Alan Duerden

Frank J. Golden

PR Director, Thomson Reuters

SVP, Investor Relations, Thomson Reuters

D: +44 20 7542 0561

D: +1 646 223 5288

alan.duerden@thomsonreuters.com

frank.golden@thomsonreuters.com

 

 

FXall

 

Dafina Grapci-Penney

Andrew Posen

D: +44 20 7324 5484

Head of Investor Relations, FXall

M: +44 7525335733

D: +1 646 268 9952

dafina.grapci-penney@greentarget.co.uk

andrew.posen@fxall.com

 

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The following memorandum was sent to the staff of FX Alliance Inc. on July 9, 2012.

 

GRAPHIC

 

To:

All FXall Staff

From:

Phil Weisberg, on behalf of the Board of Directors

Date:

July 9, 2012

Subject:

Company News

 

Today FXall publicly announced that it has entered into an agreement for Thomson Reuters Corporation to acquire 100% of the shares of FXall at $22/share in cash ( Click here for press release).  This transaction brings together two market-leading companies with deep experience and relationships in the foreign exchange market.  FXall and Thomson Reuters have complementary customer bases and long-standing relationships with bank liquidity providers.

 

Once the transaction is completed, FXall will join the Marketplaces business segment.  Marketplaces is part of Thomson Reuters’s Financial & Risk business — one of the company’s five business units.  Thomson Reuters will continue to support the FXall trading platform for clients and providers within their organization.  Thomson Reuters clearly values all that we have accomplished together:  our growth, market knowledge and our talent to help achieve our strategic objectives for all our businesses.  This is a very compelling opportunity for our customers, employees and shareholders, which enables us to take the next logical step in our evolution to become the FX trading platform of choice.

 

We are particularly excited about this transaction because it will allow us to continue to build upon our already strong, leading position in the FX market.  Our two businesses are an excellent fit and complement each other very well— Thomson Reuters has a strong position with the sell-side community while we have a similar position with the buy-side — Thomson Reuters’s strength in pre-trade analysis combines well with our execution and post-trade capabilities.   Clients of both of our companies will enjoy a seamless, integrated end-to-end solution offering the full FX product suite.  And, we are pleased to say that FXall’s employees will have access to a larger stage for enhanced professional development.

 

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter and there will be plenty of opportunities for us to understand each other’s capabilities by then. Until the transaction is finalized, we must continue with business as usual while regulatory reviews are ongoing.  During this period we must be mindful that FXall remains independent and as such we must protect client confidentiality.  Please do not share client names or opportunity details, trading volume or non-public financial data with Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters and FXall will form a joint transition team that over the coming months will determine how best to leverage both firms’ capabilities to best serve clients.  I encourage you to read the joint press release, which was issued today.

 

To provide everyone with an update on what is happening, please join us for an All Hands meeting today, Monday at 9 AM EST .  Separate dial-in details will follow.

 

I’m sure you have a lot of questions, and while we may not be able to answer them all during today’s call, you will be hearing much more in the weeks and months ahead.  FXall will provide you with regular updates.  As mentioned above, for the time being nothing changes. It’s business as usual for all of us.

 

Should you receive any inquiries from clients, we are attaching talking points for your reference.  Please refer any questions to your regional sales manager.  All media inquiries should be directed to Lenore Kantor, while any analyst or shareholder inquiries should be directed to Andrew Posen.

 

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We want to thank you for your dedication and hard work, which has made FXall the outstanding company it is today and has made this transaction possible.

 

Important Information

 

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any of the FXall common shares. The tender offer described herein has not yet been commenced. On the commencement date of the tender offer, an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and related documents will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and thereafter a solicitation/recommendation statement with respect to the tender offer will be filed by FXall with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  Each of these documents will be mailed to shareholders of record and will also be made available for distribution to beneficial owners of common shares. The solicitation of offers to buy the FXall common shares will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents. When they are available, shareholders should read those materialsthe offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents, as well as the solicitation/recommendation statement, carefully because they will contain important information, including the various terms of, and conditions to, the tender offer. When they are available, shareholders will be able to obtain the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents and the solicitation/recommendation statement without charge from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Website at www.sec.gov.  Shareholders will be able to obtain the offer to purchase, letter of transmittal and related documents without charge or from the information agent that Thomson Reuters selects and will be able to obtain free copies of FXall’s solicitation/ recommendation statement and related documents filed by FXall with the Securities and Exchange Commission on FXall’s website at www.fxall.com. Shareholders are urged to read carefully those materials when they become available prior to making any decisions with respect to the tender offer.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this communication constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of FXall to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that refer to expectations or other characterizations of future events, circumstances or results, including, without limitation, all statements related to the proposed business combination transaction and related transactions and the outlook for FXall’s businesses, performance and opportunities and regulatory approvals, the anticipated timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction; the expected timing of the completion of the transaction; the ability to complete the transaction considering the various closing conditions; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties as to the timing of the tender offer and business combination; uncertainties as to how many of FXall’s stockholders will tender their stock in the offer; the possibility that competing offers will be made; the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction; the effects of disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, other business partners or governmental entities; other business effects, including the effects of industry, economic or political conditions outside of FXall’s control; transaction costs; actual or contingent liabilities; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FXall from time to time, as well as the tender offer documents to be filed by Thomson Reuters and the solicitation/recommendation statement to be filed by FXall. All of the materials related to the offer (and all other offer documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) will be available at no charge from the Securities and Exchange Commission through its website at www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders will also be able to obtain free copies of the documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FXall on FXall’s website at www.fxall.com. FXall does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as expressly required by law.

 

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The following e-mail was sent to clients of FX Alliance Inc. on July 9, 2012.

 

Subject : FXall News Update

 

Dear {client name}:

 

I am pleased to make you aware that today FXall publicly announced Thomson Reuters agreement to buy FXall.  This transaction brings together two market-leading companies with deep experience and relationships in the dynamic foreign exchange marketplace.  FXall and Thomson Reuters have complementary customer bases and long-standing relationships with bank liquidity providers. This combination allows us to take the next logical step in our evolution to become the FX trading platform of choice for corporate, asset management, hedge fund/CTA and bank clients.

 

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, pending regulatory approvals. Until then, it is business as usual at FXall with our focus remaining on supporting our customers, rolling out our latest enhancements, such as integrated access to algorithms, limit orders and options trading, and continuing to expand our capabilities to meet our clients growing needs.

 

The combination with Thomson Reuters positions us effectively to create new opportunities by providing FXall clients with access to the support, resources and commitment of a well-respected, established brand with a global footprint in over 100 countries.  Thomson Reuters will continue to support the FXall brand and trading platform for clients and providers within their Marketplaces group as part of Thomson Reuters’s Financial and Risk Division. Our two businesses are an excellent fit and complement each other very well, from our customer bases — Thomson Reuters has a strong position with the sell-side community while we have a similar position with the buy-side — to functionality — Thomson Reuters strength in pre-trade analysis combines well with our execution and post-trade capabilities.  Clients of both of our companies will enjoy a seamless, integrated end-to-end solution offering the full FX product suite.

 

I want you to know that we are committed to a seamless transition.  Your FXall sales and relationship management contacts will remain as they are now and they will be in contact with you to discuss this new information and to answer any questions that you may have. Your FXall support services remain the same and may be accessed by +1 (646) 268-9901 and support@fxall.com. We look forward to sharing other new benefits with you as that information becomes available in the coming weeks and months.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Phil Weisberg

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

FXall

 

www.fxall.com

 

 

7



 

Important Information

 

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any of the FXall common shares. The tender offer described herein has not yet been commenced. On the commencement date of the tender offer, an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and related documents will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and thereafter a solicitation/recommendation statement with respect to the tender offer will be filed by FXall with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of these documents will be mailed to shareholders of record and will also be made available for distribution to beneficial owners of common shares. The solicitation of offers to buy the FXall common shares will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents. When they are available, shareholders should read those materials the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents, as well as the solicitation/recommendation statement, carefully because they will contain important information, including the various terms of, and conditions to, the tender offer. When they are available, shareholders will be able to obtain the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents and the solicitation/recommendation statement without charge from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Website at www.sec.gov.  Shareholders will be able to obtain the offer to purchase, letter of transmittal and related documents without charge or from the information agent that Thomson Reuters selects and will be able to obtain free copies of FXall’s solicitation/recommendation statement and related documents filed by FXall with the Securities and Exchange Commission on FXall’s website at www.fxall.com. Shareholders are urged to read carefully those materials when they become available prior to making any decisions with respect to the tender offer.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this communication constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of FXall to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that refer to expectations or other characterizations of future events, circumstances or results, including, without limitation, all statements related to the proposed business combination transaction and related transactions and the outlook for FXall’s businesses, performance and opportunities and regulatory approvals, the anticipated timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction; the expected timing of the completion of the transaction; the ability to complete the transaction considering the various closing conditions; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties as to the timing of the tender offer and business combination; uncertainties as to how many of FXall’s stockholders will tender their stock in the offer; the possibility that competing offers will be made; the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction; the effects of disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, other business partners or governmental entities; other business effects, including the effects of industry, economic or political conditions outside of FXall’s control; transaction costs; actual or contingent liabilities; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FXall from time to time, as well as the tender offer documents to be filed by Thomson Reuters and the solicitation/recommendation statement to be filed by FXall. All of the materials related to the offer (and all other offer documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) will be available at no charge from the Securities and Exchange Commission through its website at www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders will also be able to obtain free copies of the documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FXall on FXall’s website at www.fxall.com. FXall does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as expressly required by law.

 

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