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EX-99.1 - PRESENTATION - ZALE CORPex991-.htm
 


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

____________________

FORM 8-K
____________________

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 13, 2014

____________________


Zale Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

____________________

Delaware
 
001-04129
 
75-0675400
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 
    901 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX
75038
 
 
    (Address of principal executive officers)
(Zip Code)
 


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 580-4000

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

____________________


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨       Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨       Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 


 
 
 

 
 

 
Item 8.01. Other Events

On May 13, 2014, Zale Corporation (“Zale”) made a presentation to Institutional Shareholder Services.  A copy of such presentation is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)           Exhibits

Exhibit
No.
Description
99.1
 
Presentation to Institutional Shareholder Services, dated May 13, 2014.
 

***********

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this communication about Zale’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts, including statements regarding the proposed acquisition of Zale by Signet (the “proposed transaction”) and the expected timetable for completing the proposed transaction that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect(s),” “estimate(s),” “project(s),” “positioned,” “strategy,” “outlook” and similar expressions. All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, are the following: the parties’ ability to consummate the proposed transaction on the expected timetable or at all; the conditions to the completion of the proposed transaction, including the receipt of stockholder approval; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, competitors or suppliers) may be greater than expected following the announcement of the proposed transaction; the retention of certain key employees of Zale may be difficult; Zale is subject to intense competition and increased competition is expected in the future; and general economic conditions that are less favorable than expected.  Additional information and other factors are contained in Zale’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013 and subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Because the factors referred to above and other risk factors, including general industry and economic conditions, could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this communication, based on information available to Zale as of the date hereof, and Zale disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such date.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed transaction. In connection with the proposed transaction, Zale filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC on May 1, 2014.  Stockholders of Zale are urged to read all relevant documents filed with the SEC, including Zale’s definitive proxy statement, because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Investors and stockholders are able to obtain the documents (when available) free of charge at the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov, or for free from the Company by contacting Zale Investor Relations by phone at (972) 580-4391 or by email at ir@zalecorp.com.

 
 
 

 
 
Participants in the Solicitation

Signet, Zale and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of Zale in favor of the proposed transaction. Information about Signet’s directors and executive officers is set forth in Signet’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 26, 2013, and its Form 8-Ks filed with the SEC on July 9, 2013 and July 11, 2013. Information about Zale’s directors and executive officers is set forth in Zale’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on October 2, 2013, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on September 27, 2013. Information concerning the interests of Zale’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of Zale’s stockholders generally, is set forth in the definitive proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction.

 
 
 

 
 
 
SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
  Zale Corporation  
       
Date: May 13, 2014
By:
/s/ Thomas A. Haubenstricker  
    Name:  Thomas A. Haubenstricker  
    Title:  Senior Vice President,  
               Chief Financial Officer  


 
 
 

 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
No.
Description
99.1
 
Presentation to Institutional Shareholder Services, dated May 13, 2014.