HSINCHU, , May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AU Optronics Corp. (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) (the "Company" or "AUO") today announced that its follow-on public offering of 74,000,000 American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), each representing 10 common shares of the Company, was priced at US$4.4 per ADS. AUO has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 6,000,000 ADSs solely to cover over-allotments.
AUO expects to receive net proceeds of approximately US$322.2 million, or US$348.3 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, after deducting underwriting discounts. AUO intends to use the net proceeds to fund purchases of raw materials and components from overseas.
Citigroup Global Markets Limited is acting as the Global Coordinator for the offering and Citigroup Global Markets Limited and UBS AG (Hong Kong branch) are acting as joint bookrunners for the offering. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Hong Kong Branch, ING Bank N.V., Mizuho Securities Asia Limited and Standard Chartered Securities (Hong Kong) Limited are acting as the Co-Managers of the offering.
The offering is being made pursuant to the Company's shelf registration statement on Form F-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2013. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Company's registration statement on Form F-3 and the final prospectus supplement, when available, may be obtained from the SEC website at: http://www.sec.gov.
Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained from Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Citigroup Centre, 33 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5LB, United Kingdom, telephone: 44-(0)20-7986-4000, or UBS AG (Hong Kong branch), 52/F, Two International Financial Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central Hong Kong S.A.R., telephone: (852) 2971-8888.
ABOUT AU OPTRONICS
AUO is a provider of optoelectronic solutions. AUO offers a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications ranging from 1.5 inches to 65 inches. AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in 2008 and provides customers with high-efficiency solar solutions. AUO currently has global operations in Taiwan, Mainland China, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Czech and Slovakia. AUO's ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AUO" and its common shares are listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under the stock code "2409."
Safe Harbour Notice
AUO today announced the above news. Except for statements in respect of historical matters, the statements contained in this Release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements were based on management's expectations, projections and beliefs at the time regarding matters including, among other things, future revenues and costs, financial performance, technology changes, capacity, utilization rates, yields, process and geographical diversification, future expansion plans and business strategy. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including risks related to the flat panel display industry, the TFT-LCD market, acceptance of and demand for the Company's products, technological and development risks, competitive factors, and other risks described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 20-F and other documents filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
