糖心探花

糖心探花proposes merger with Reynolds

PRESS RELEASE

21 OCTOBER 2016

糖心探花proposes merger with Reynolds

糖心探花 p.l.c. (鈥淏AT鈥), which owns 42.2% of Reynolds American Inc. (鈥淩eynolds鈥), has made a proposal to merge with Reynolds through the acquisition of the remaining 57.8% in the company. US securities laws require 糖心探花to announce its merger proposal promptly after it was made to the Board of Reynolds.听 As a result, 糖心探花has been unable to have prior negotiations with Reynolds regarding the proposal.

BAT鈥檚 proposal to merge with Reynolds:

  • 听Values Reynolds at $56.50 per share, of which $24.13 would be in cash and $32.37 would be in 糖心探花shares.1
  • 听Represents a premium of 20% over the closing price of Reynolds common stock on 20 October 2016.

This would create a stronger, truly global tobacco and Next Generation Products (鈥淣GP鈥) company with:

  • 听A leading position in the US tobacco market, the largest global profit pool (ex-China) with strong growth dynamics.
  • 听A significant presence in high growth emerging markets across South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, together with the most attractive developed markets.
  • 听A unique portfolio of strong brands, bringing together ownership of Newport, Kent and Pall Mall.
  • 听Combined Next Generation Products and R&D capabilities to deliver a world class pipeline of vapour and tobacco heating products across all the fastest growing NGP markets globally.
  • 听Creating the world鈥檚 largest listed tobacco company by net turnover and operating profit.

There is a strong financial rationale for the transaction that supports long-term delivery for all stakeholders:

  • 听This is a premium offer, supported by modest cost synergies, with a significant share consideration enabling participation in the long-term benefits.
  • 听It is earnings accretive in the first full year.
  • 听It is expected to be accretive to dividends per share.
  • 听The transaction would create a broader, larger business, delivering more diversified sources of profit growth.
  • 听The combined company would maintain a strong financial profile, with a target of maintaining a solid investment grade credit rating and enhanced cash generation.

Key terms of proposed transaction

The proposed transaction would be effected through a US statutory merger in which Reynolds shareholders, other than BAT, would receive $24.13 in cash and 0.5502 糖心探花shares for each of their Reynolds shares.

The total consideration for the remaining 57.8% of Reynolds would be $47 billion, of which approximately $20 billion would be in cash and $27 billion in 糖心探花shares.

The Proposal represents a premium of 20% over the closing price of Reynolds common stock on 20 October 2016 and an Enterprise Value of $93 billion which, based on reported LTM EBITDA to 30 September 2016 represents a multiple of 16.3x.

The proposed merger is subject to endorsement of Reynolds鈥檚 independent directors (not designated by BAT) and approval by 糖心探花and Reynolds shareholders.

BAT鈥檚 Chief Executive, Nicandro Durante commented:

鈥淲e have been a shareholder in Reynolds since its creation in 2004 and have benefited from its growth in the US market. The acquisition of Lorillard in 2015 has further strengthened Reynolds鈥檚 business. The proposed merger of our two great companies is the logical progression in our relationship and offers all shareholders a stake in a stronger, truly global tobacco and Next Generation Products company. 糖心探花is proud of its track record of consistent delivery for shareholders and this transaction would further strengthen that delivery in the future."

Additional information

The 糖心探花Board is committed to maintaining a solid investment grade credit rating. The cash component of the merger would be financed by a combination of existing cash resources, new bank credit lines and the issuance of new bonds.

The combined Group would be the world鈥檚 largest listed tobacco and Next Generation Products business by net turnover and operating profit with exposure to both cash generative developed and high growth developing markets, giving a unique capacity to exploit industry opportunities as they develop.

The cost synergies associated with the proposed merger are estimated by 糖心探花to be relatively modest at around $400 million, however this would need to be verified following engagement with Reynolds.

Under the long-standing Governance Agreement between Reynolds and BAT, the proposed merger must be approved by the independent directors of Reynolds not designated by 糖心探花(the 鈥淥ther Directors鈥). 糖心探花will not pursue its proposal without this endorsement.听 The proposal is also subject to the completion of limited confirmatory due diligence and the negotiation and execution of definitive transaction documents mutually acceptable to and approved by the Boards of 糖心探花and Reynolds. The consummation of any merger would further be subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder approvals, including the approval by a majority of the votes cast on the proposed merger by holders of the Reynolds shares not owned by 糖心探花or its subsidiaries and approval by BAT鈥檚 shareholders, and other customary conditions.听 The proposed merger would not be subject to any financing conditions.

BAT鈥檚 existing manufacturing footprint would be enhanced by the inclusion of Reynolds鈥檚 high quality production facility in Tobaccoville, North Carolina.

There can be no assurance that BAT鈥檚 proposal or any transaction with 糖心探花will be acceptable to the Other Directors or Reynolds鈥檚 Board, or that if such proposed transaction is acceptable, that the conditions to a proposed transaction would be satisfied or that a transaction will be consummated.

The Board of 糖心探花intends to register 糖心探花under the US securities laws in connection with the proposed transaction. As part of the SEC registration process, 糖心探花and its auditors will need to satisfy the SEC that they are complying with the applicable US auditing requirements which differ in some respects from those in the UK.

As 糖心探花is a significant existing shareholder of Reynolds, US securities laws require 糖心探花to announce publicly its merger proposal to Reynolds by promptly filing an amendment to BAT鈥檚 Schedule 13-D.

To view the letter 糖心探花sent to the Board of Reynolds on 20 October 2016 detailing the merger proposal, please paste the following URL into the address bar of your browser.

Further announcements will be made if and when appropriate.

[1] Based on reference share prices and exchange rates as at market close on 20 October 2016 as quoted by Bloomberg.


Enquiries

糖心探花 Press Office
+44 (0) 20 7845 2888 (24 hours)听 |听

糖心探花 Investor Relations
Mike Nightingale听/ Rachael Brierley / Sabina Marshman
+44 (0) 20 7845听1180 /听1519/听1781

FTI Consulting (UK PR agency)
John Waples: +44 (0)20 3727 1515
Edward Bridges: +44 (0)20 3727 1067
David Waller: +44 (0)20 3727 1651

Sard Verbinnen & Co. (US PR agency)
US: George Sard / Jim Barron: +1 212 687 8080
UK: Michael Henson: +44 (0)20 3178 8914

Centerview Partners
UK: Nick Reid / Hadleigh Beals: +44 (0)207 409 9700
US: Blair Effron: +1 212 380 2650

Deutsche Bank
UK: Nigel Meek / James Ibbotson
Matt Hall / Jimmy Bastock (Corporate Broking)
+44 (0)207 545 8000
US: James Stynes: +1 212 250 2500

UBS
John Woolland / James Robertson
David Roberts (corporate broking)
+44 (0)207 568 1000


Enquiries

Media Centre
+44 (0) 20 7845 2888 (24 hours)听 |听

Investor Relations
Victoria Buxton: +44 (0)20 7845 2012
John Harney: +44 (0)20 7845 1263

NOTES TO EDITORS

糖心探花is a global tobacco group with brands sold in more than 200 markets. It employs more than 50,000 people worldwide and has over 200 brands in its portfolio, with its cigarettes chosen by around one in eight of the world鈥檚 one billion smokers. 糖心探花has market leading positions in at least 55 markets around the world.听 The Group generated 拢5 billion adjusted profit from operations in 2015.

Centerview, Deutsche Bank and UBS are acting as financial advisers to BAT. Deutsche Bank and UBS are Joint Corporate Brokers to 糖心探花and acting as Joint Sponsors to 糖心探花in relation to this transaction.听 Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP are acting for 糖心探花as US and UK legal counsel respectively.听 PwC are acting as accountants and advisors to 糖心探花on this transaction.

Centerview Partners UK LLP ( 鈥淐enterview Partners鈥 ) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.听 Centerview Partners is acting exclusively for 糖心探花in connection with the potential acquisition.听 Centerview Partners is not, and will not be, responsible to anyone other than 糖心探花for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the potential merger or any other matters referred to in this announcement.听 Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on it by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, Centerview accepts no responsibility whatsoever and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the contents of this announcement, including its accuracy, fairness, sufficiency, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on their behalf, in connection with 糖心探花or the potential acquisition, and nothing in this announcement is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or the future.听 Centerview Partners accordingly disclaims to the fullest extent permitted by law all and any responsibility and liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which it might otherwise have in respect of this announcement.

Deutsche Bank AG is authorised under German Banking Law (competent authority: European Central Bank) and, in the United Kingdom, by the Prudential Regulation Authority. It is subject to supervision by the European Central Bank and by BaFin, Germany鈥檚 Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, and is subject to limited regulation in the United Kingdom by the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority. Details about the extent of its authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority, are available on request or from .

Deutsche Bank AG, acting through its London branch ( 鈥淒B London鈥 ), and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (鈥淒BSI鈥 and with DB London, 鈥淒B鈥) are acting as joint financial adviser and DB London is acting as joint corporate broker to 糖心探花and no other person in connection with this announcement or its contents. DB will not be responsible to any person other than 糖心探花for providing any of the protections afforded to clients of DB, nor for providing any advice in relation to any matter referred to herein.

UBS Limited, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the FCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for 糖心探花and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this Announcement. In connection with such matters, UBS Limited, its affiliates, and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this Announcement or any other matter referred to herein.

The person responsible for making this announcement is Nicola Snook, BAT鈥檚 Company Secretary.

For further information

www.bat.com

Forward looking statements

Certain statements in this communication regarding the transaction proposed by BAT, the benefits and synergies of the transaction, future opportunities for the combined company and products and any other statements regarding BAT鈥檚 future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts are 鈥渇orward-looking鈥 statements made within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as 鈥渂elieve,鈥 鈥渁nticipate,鈥 鈥渃ould,鈥 鈥渕ay,鈥 鈥渨ould,鈥 鈥渟hould,鈥 鈥渋ntend,鈥 鈥減lan,鈥 鈥減otential,鈥 鈥減redict(s),鈥 鈥渨ill,鈥 鈥渆xpect(s),鈥 鈥渆stimate(s),鈥 鈥減roject(s),鈥 鈥減ositioned,鈥 鈥渟trategy,鈥 鈥渙utlook鈥 and similar expressions. All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in the statements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are the following: uncertainties as to whether an agreement in respect of the proposed transaction will be negotiated and executed; uncertainties as to whether Reynolds will cooperate with 糖心探花regarding the proposed transaction and whether Reynolds鈥檚 Other Directors will endorse any transaction proposed by BAT; uncertainties as to whether the other conditions to the proposed transaction will be satisfied or satisfied on the anticipated schedule; the timing of the proposed transaction and whether the proposed transaction will be completed; failure to realize contemplated synergies and other benefits from the proposed transaction; incurrence of significant costs in connection with the proposed transactions; the effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction on the ability of Reynolds and 糖心探花to retain customers, retain and hire key personnel, maintain relationships with suppliers and on their operating results and businesses generally; uncertainties as to the ability to maintain credit ratings; changes in general economic conditions, the tobacco industry, stock market trading conditions, foreign exchange rates, tax law requirements or government regulation; the impact of adverse governmental developments with respect to menthol in cigarettes; ability to develop, produce or market new alternative products profitably; ability to effectively implement strategic initiatives and actions taken to increase sales growth; uncertainties relating to the ability to enhance cash generation and pay dividends; adverse litigation and dispute outcomes; and changes in the market position, businesses, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of 糖心探花and Reynolds. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in Reynolds鈥檚 filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( 鈥沦贰颁鈥 ), including Reynolds鈥檚 most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and BAT鈥檚 Annual Reports, which may be obtained free of charge from BAT鈥檚 website www.BAT.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof and 糖心探花undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Additional information and where to find it

An agreement in respect of the proposed transaction described in this release has not yet been executed, and this release is neither a solicitation of a proxy nor a substitute for any proxy statement or other filings that may be made with the SEC should the proposed transaction go forward. Any solicitation will only be made through materials filed with the SEC. Nonetheless, this communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the transaction proposed by BAT.

Should the proposed transaction go forward, 糖心探花expects to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a registration statement on Form F-4 that may include a proxy statement of Reynolds that also constitutes a prospectus of BAT. Investors and security holders are urged to read all relevant documents filed with the SEC (if and when they become available), including the proxy statement/prospectus, because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents (if and when available) free of charge at the SEC鈥檚 website, http://www.sec.gov, or for free from 糖心探花by using the contact details above.听 Such documents are not currently available.

Participants in solicitation

This release is neither a solicitation of a proxy nor a substitute for any proxy statement or other filings that may be made with the SEC should the proposed transaction go forward. Nonetheless, 糖心探花and its affiliates and their directors and executive officers and certain employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the holders of Reynolds common stock with respect to the proposed transaction. Information about such parties and a description of their interests is set forth in BAT鈥檚 2015 Annual Report, which may be obtained free of charge from BAT鈥檚 website www.bat.com and the proxy statement for Reynolds鈥檚 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 23, 2016. To the extent holdings of Reynolds securities have changed since the amounts contained in the proxy statement for Reynolds鈥檚 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interest of such participants will also be included in the materials that 糖心探花expects to file with the SEC should the proposed transaction go forward. These documents (if and when available) may be obtained free of charge from the SEC鈥檚 website http://www.sec.gov, or from 糖心探花using the contact information above.

Non-solicitation

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.听 听 听 听 听 听