CGI Group Inc. (CGI) (TSX: GIB.SV.A; NYSE: GIB) announced today that it has concluded five-year unsecured revolving credit facilities, which replace its previous syndicated bank facilities. The new credit facilities are comprised of a US tranche worth the equivalent of CDN$ 300 million and a Canadian tranche worth CDN$500 million.
"These new credit facilities provide a number of benefits," said André Imbeau, executive vice-president and CFO. "They increase our ability to fund our growth strategy. The participation of US, European and Asian banks, in addition to Canadian banks, is consistent with our growing operations. Also, CGI secured a better pricing than for its previous bank facilities. Our ability to negotiate a larger credit facility on more favorable terms and conditions reflects CGI's continuing strong performance, financial position and outlook."
In this new bank syndicate, the National Bank of Canada acts as administrative agent and lead arranger; JPMorgan Chase Bank and Caisse centrale Desjardins act as syndication agents and lead arrangers; TD Bank, Bank of America, KeyBank and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec act as documentation agents; ABN AMRO, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, the Royal Bank of Canada, United Overseas Bank and Société Générale act as managing agents and Citibank acts as participant.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in North America. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 25,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific as well as from centers of excellence in India, the US, Europe and Canada. CGI's annualized revenue run rate is currently CDN$3.8 billion (US$3.1 billion) and at September 30, 2004, CGI's order backlog was CDN$13 billion (US$10.3 billion). CGI's shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.SV.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology and MidCap Indices.
Website: www.cgi.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements represent CGI Group Inc.'s intentions, plans, expectations, and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, of which many are beyond the control of the Company. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements.
These factors include and are not restricted to the timing and size of contracts, acquisitions and other corporate developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; market competition in the rapidly-evolving information technology industry; general economic and business conditions, foreign exchange and other risks identified in the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in CGI Group Inc.'s Annual Report or Form 40-F filed with the SEC, the Company's Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities authorities, as well as assumptions regarding the foregoing. The words "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", and similar expressions and variations thereof, identify certain of such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. In particular, statements relating to future revenue from outsourcing contracts are forward-looking statements. CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
.
-30-
For more information:
CGI:
Investor relations
Jane Watson
(514) 841-3200 or (416) 945-3616
Ronald White
(514) 841-3230
Media relations
Eileen Murphy
(514) 841-3430
