LensCrafters 2009 Annual Report Download - page 106

> 104 | ANNUAL REPORT 2009
shareholding stake. The exercise of the options will result in the Group owning 100% of the Turkey subsidi-
ary. The purchase price is approximately Euro 61.5 million. The sale is not yet effective as it is subject to the
prior approval of the Turkish antitrust authority.
On January 29, 2010, our subsidiary US Holdings closed a private placement of US$ 175 million of senior
unsecured guaranteed notes, issued in three series (Series D, Series E and Series F). The aggregate princi-
pal amount is US$ 50 million for each of Series D and Series E and US$ 75 million for Series F. The Series D
Notes mature on January 29, 2017, the Series E Notes mature on January 29, 2020 and the Series F mature
on January 29, 2019. Interest on the Series D Notes accrues at 5.19 percent per annum, interest on the Se-
ries E Notes accrues at 5.75 percent per annum and interest on the Series F Notes accrues at 5.39 percent
per annum. The proceeds from the Notes were used for general corporate purposes.
On February 8, 2010 Luxottica Group SpA and Essilor International announced that the two companies
have formed a long-term joint-venture for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Under the terms of the
agreement, the joint-venture will manage Eyebiz Pty Limited, Luxottica’s Sydney-based optical lens finish-
ing laboratory, which, as a result of this alliance, will be majority-controlled by Essilor. Eyebiz will continue
to supply all of Luxottica’s retail optical outlets in Australia and New Zealand: OPSM, Budget Eyewear and
Laubman & Pank.
On March 31, 2010, Luxottica Group S.p.A. announced a three-year renewal of its exclusive license agree-
ment with Jones Apparel Group for the design, production and global distribution of prescription frames
and sunglasses under the Anne Klein New York brand. The new agreement, which is substantially un-
changed from the previous agreement, extends the license through December 2012, with a provision for
a further renewal.
On March 31, 2010, Retail Brand Alliance, Inc., and Luxottica Group S.p.A. announced a five-year extension
of the licence agreement for the design, production and worldwide distribution of prescription frames and
sunglasses under the Brooks Brothers brand. The new agreement will run through December 2014, with
an option for a further five-year extension under the same terms. The terms were substantially unchanged
from those of the previous agreement.
In the first three months of 2010, in connection with the share buyback program approved at the Sharehold-
ers’ Meeting on October 29, 2009 and launched on November 16, 2009, the Company purchased under
that buyback program an aggregate amount of 546,712 treasury shares on the Milan Stock Exchange’s
Mercato Telematico Azionario (MTA) at an average unit price of Euro 18.8 for an aggregate amount of Euro
10,280,809.
In parallel, Arnette sold during the same period on the MTA an aggregate amount of 705,000 treasury
shares, at an average unit price of Euro 18.87, for an aggregate amount of Euro 13,303,645.
DIVIDEND PROPOSAL AND TAX REGIME
To our stockholders
At the Ordinary Stockholders’ Meeting of Luxottica Group S.p.A. (the "Company") which will be held in
Milan on April 29, 2010 on first call (or on April 30, 2010 on second call), the Board of Directors of the Com-
pany will submit to stockholders a proposal to adopt a resolution for the distribution of a cash dividend in
the amount of Euro 0.35 per Ordinary Share, and therefore per American Depositary Share ("ADS") (each
American Depositary Share represents one Ordinary Share), payable out of 2009 net income.