The Thomson Corporation [LOGO OMITTED]
Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, Suite 2706
PO Box 24, Toronto-Dominion Centre
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1A1
Tel (416) 360-8700 Fax (416) 360-8812
www.thomson.com
News Release
Investor Contact: Media Contact:
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John Kechejian Janey Loyd
Vice President, Investor Relations Vice President, Corporate Communications
(203) 969-8700 (203) 969-8700
[email protected] [email protected]
Jason Stewart
Director, Public Relations
(203) 969-8700
[email protected]
For Immediate Release
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THE THOMSON CORPORATION ANNOUNCES CLOSE OF
INVESTIGATION BY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REGARDING
PROPOSED PRIMARK TRANSACTION
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TORONTO, ONTARIO, September 1, 2000 - The Thomson Corporation (TSE:
TOC) announced today that the Antitrust Division of the United States
Department of Justice has closed its investigation of Thomson's previously
announced tender offer for Primark Corporation (PMK). Accordingly, the
condition to Thomson's tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of
common stock of Primark requiring the expiration or termination of the
waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976 has been satisfied.
Thomson's offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common
stock of Primark is scheduled to expire on Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 5:00
p.m., EDT New York City time. The offer to acquire all of the outstanding
Primark 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Notes") is scheduled to
expire on Wednesday, September 13, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. EDT New York City time.
Based on the latest count of tendered shares and Notes, as of 5:00 p.m.
EDT on August 31, 2000, 17,083,500 shares of Primark common stock (constituting
approximately 84% of the outstanding common stock) had been tendered and not
withdrawn, and US$150 million in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
(constituting 100% of the outstanding Notes) had been tendered and not
withdrawn.
The tender offer for the Primark common stock is being made through,
and the foregoing announcement is qualified in its entirety by reference to,
Marquee's Offer to Purchase dated June 14, 2000, and the related letter of
transmittal. The tender offer for the Notes is being made through, and the
foregoing announcement is qualified in its entirety by reference to, Marquee's
Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated June 22, 2000, and
the related letter of transmittal. Primark stockholders and noteholders should
read the applicable Offer to Purchase and
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related letter of transmittal in their entirety prior to making any decision as
to the respective tender offers.
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 1999 revenues of US$5.8
billion, is a leading, global e-information and solutions company in the
business and professional marketplace. Thomson's common shares are listed on the
Toronto and London Stock Exchanges.
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