Peabody Energy and ArcelorMittal Submit Offer to Acquire Macarthur Coal for Total Value of A$15.66/Share

Peabody Energy BTU and ArcelorMittal MT today confirm that following the recent completion of due diligence they intend to launch an all-cash off-market takeover bid to acquire all the shares in Macarthur Coal Ltd. Under the offer, Macarthur shareholders will be offered A$15.50 cash per share, valuing the equity in Macarthur at approximately A$4.7 billion. Macarthur shareholders will also be entitled to retain any final dividend declared by Macarthur in respect of the financial year ended June 30, 2011, up to an amount of 16 cents per share, without reducing the offer price. This represents a total value of A$15.66 cash per share. Following due diligence, Peabody and ArcelorMittal attempted to negotiate a bid implementation agreement (BIA) with Macarthur. However, Macarthur was not willing to engage on a BIA on customary terms even with Peabody and ArcelorMittal's willingness to improve the price from the original proposal if such a BIA could be agreed. As a result, a formal offer was submitted to Macarthur, valuing the company at $15.66 per share without a BIA while seeking a recommendation. The Macarthur board declined to recommend this offer.