Filed by Agrium Inc. (Commission File No. 333-157966) Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
Subject Company: CF Industries Holdings, Inc. |
Important Information
This communication does not constitute an offer to exchange, or a solicitation of an offer to exchange, common stock of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF), nor is it a substitute for the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO or the Prospectus/Offer to Exchange included in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 (including the Letter of Transmittal and related documents) (collectively, as amended from time to time, the Exchange Offer Documents) filed by Agrium Inc. (Agrium) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on March 16, 2009, as amended. The Registration Statement on Form F-4 has not yet become effective. The offer to exchange is made only through the Exchange Offer Documents. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AGRIUM AND CF ARE URGED TO READ THE EXCHANGE OFFER DOCUMENTS AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE OFFER TO EXCHANGE.
In connection with the solicitation of proxies for the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders of CF, Agrium and its wholly-owned subsidiary North Acquisition Co. (North) filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC on April 6, 2009. The definitive proxy statement of Agrium and North and accompanying proxy card will be mailed to stockholders of CF. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF CF ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Copies of any documents filed by Agrium with the SEC are available free of charge through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, by calling the SEC at telephone number 800-SEC-0330 or by directing a request to the Agrium Investor Relations/Media Department, Agrium Inc, 13131 Lake Fraser Drive S.E., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2J 7E8. Free copies of any such documents can also be obtained by calling Georgeson Inc. toll-free at (866) 318-0506.
Agrium, North, their respective directors and executive officers and certain other persons are deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CF stockholders for CFs 2009 annual meeting of stockholders. Information regarding such participants and a description of their direct and indirect interests in such solicitation, by securities holdings or otherwise, is contained in the definitive proxy statement filed by Agrium and North with the SEC on April 6, 2009.
Agrium, North, their respective directors and executive officers and certain other persons may be deemed to be participants in any solicitation of proxies from CFs stockholders in respect of the proposed transaction with CF. Information regarding Agriums directors and executive officers is available in its management proxy circular dated April 3, 2009 relating to the annual general meeting of its shareholders to be held on May 13, 2009. Other information regarding potential participants in such proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in any proxy statement filed in connection with the proposed transaction.
All information in this communication concerning CF, including its business, operations and financial results, was obtained from public sources. While Agrium has no knowledge that any such information is inaccurate or incomplete, Agrium has not had the opportunity to verify any of that information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and other information included in this communication constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation or constitute forward-looking statements (together, forward-looking statements). All statements in this communication, other than those relating to historical information or current condition, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, estimates, forecasts and statements as to managements expectations with respect to, among other things, business and financial prospects, financial multiples and accretion estimates, future trends, plans, strategies, objectives and expectations, including with respect to future operations following the proposed acquisition of CF. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements.
Events or circumstances that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, CFs failure to accept Agriums proposal and enter into a definitive agreement to effect the transaction, Agrium common shares issued in connection with the proposed acquisition may have a market value lower than expected, the businesses of Agrium and CF, or any other recent business acquisitions, may not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, the expected combination benefits and synergies and costs savings from the Agrium/CF transaction may not be fully realized or not realized within the expected time frame, the possible delay in the completion of the steps required to be taken for the eventual combination of the two companies, including the possibility that approvals or clearances required to be obtained from regulatory and other agencies and bodies will not be obtained in a timely manner or will be obtained on conditions that may require divestiture of assets expected to be acquired, disruption from the proposed transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees and suppliers, general business and economic conditions, interest rates, exchange rates and tax rates, weather conditions, crop prices, the supply, demand and price level for our major products, gas prices and gas availability, operating rates and production costs, domestic fertilizer consumption and any changes in government policy in key agriculture markets, including the application of price controls and tariffs on fertilizers and the availability of subsidies or changes in their amounts, changes in development plans, construction progress, political risks, including civil unrest, actions by armed groups or conflict, governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities, including changes in government policy, changes in environmental, tax and other laws or regulations and the interpretation thereof and other risk factors detailed from time to time in Agrium and CFs reports filed with the SEC.
Agrium disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this communication as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable U.S. federal securities laws or applicable Canadian securities legislation.
These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Expected future developments are based, in part, upon assumptions respecting our ability to successfully integrate the businesses of Agrium and CF, or any other recent acquisitions.
All of the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and by the assumptions that are stated or inherent in such forward-looking statements. Although we believe these assumptions are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these assumptions and such forward-looking statements. The key assumptions that have been made in connection with the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, CFs acceptance of Agriums proposal and the entering into of a definitive agreement to effect the proposed transaction, closing the proposed transaction, the market value of Agrium common shares issued in connection with the proposed acquisition, our ability to successfully integrate within expected time frames and costs, and realize the expected combination benefits and synergies and costs savings from, the combination of the businesses of Agrium and CF, or any other recent business acquisitions, and our ability to maintain relationships with customers, employees and suppliers during the course of the proposed transaction.
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Agrium Inc. published the following advertisement in the Wall Street Journal and the Chicago Tribune on April 7, 2009.
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Attention CF Industries Stockholders:
NOW IS THE TIME TO SEND A MESSAGE TO CFS BOARD AND MANAGEMENT
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WITHHOLD Your Vote For CFs Three Director Nominees On April 21
Agrium is offering you $35.00 in cash plus one Agrium share for each CF share.
Agrium is offering you a substantial premium. Based on our closing price on March 26, 2009, the day before we raised our offer for CF, this offer is a 35% premium to CFs closing price on February 24, 2009, the day before we announced our initial proposal and a 48% premium to CFs 30-day volume weighted average price through that date. You get the best of both worlds a substantial cash premium at closing plus shares in a well-positioned company with a track record of growth, successful integration of acquisitions, and attainment of synergies.
The CF board has refused to engage with us on your behalf.
Despite this substantial premium and our public statement that we would consider increasing our offer further to reflect any additional value that CF can demonstrate CFs board has summarily rejected our offer. We are left with no choice but to take our offer directly to you but you need to act now!
The CF board has taken away your vote.
We believe that CFs board knows CFs stockholders would choose Agriums offer over CFs offer to acquire Terra Industries. After all, wouldnt you want to receive a substantial premium rather than pay one? Thats why CF restructured the Terra offer to take away your right to vote on the CF/Terra combination.
RiskMetrics Group (ISS) says:
We believe that CF has advanced a somewhat absurd rationale for its decision to restructure the Terra offer. In effect, CF has disenfranchised its own shareholders to quell the concerns of another companys board, and arguably to thwart an unwelcome bid.
(CF Industries (CF): Withhold on a Hostile End Run? March 25, 2009)
How can you protect your interests?
CF is trying to make an end run around its stockholders. Withholding votes for CFs directors at CFs Annual Meeting on April 21 is the way for you to send a strong message to CFs board that they should engage with us to get value for you.
Use The Green Proxy Card For A Voice In The Future Of Your Company!
If you have questions, or for assistance in voting your shares, please call Agriums proxy solicitor: Georgeson Inc., toll-free at (866) 318-0506 banks and brokerage firms please call (212) 440-9800.
Time is short, so vote today.
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This communication does not constitute an offer to exchange, or a solicitation of an offer to exchange, common stock of CF nor is it a substitute for the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO or the Prospectus/Offer to Exchange included in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 (including the Letter of Transmittal and related documents) filed by Agrium with the SEC on March 16, 2009, as amended. The Registration Statement on Form F-4 has not yet become effective. The offer to exchange is made only through the exchange offer documents referred to above. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE OFFER TO EXCHANGE. In addition, certain statements and other information included in this communication, other than those relating to historical information or current condition, constitute forward-looking statements.