Simpson Thacher is representing JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, in connection with the committed financing for the acquisition of Zale Corporation by Signet Jewelers Limited.  The financing is expected to consist of a combination of bank debt, other debt financing and the securitization of a significant portion of Signet’s accounts receivable portfolio.

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Squire Sanders has represented chemicals manufacturer Ashland Inc. on a US$1.8 billion agreement to sell its Water Technologies business to private investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Water Technologies is a leading supplier of specialty chemicals and services to the pulp and paper and industrial water markets. More >>

Sutherland Asbill and Brennan LLP counseled Oglethorpe Power Corporation in negotiating, and closing on February 20, 2014, a $3.057 billion Department of Energy guaranteed loan to finance a portion of Oglethorpe Power’s share of the costs of construction of the two new Westinghouse AP1000® nuclear electric generating units at Plant Vogtle in Burke County, Georgia. Oglethorpe Power owns 30% of the two new units, representing approximately 660MW of capacity. The Plant Vogtle project is the first nuclear generating project to receive support through the Department of Energy’s Innovative Technologies loan guarantee program.

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Hogan Lovells has advised Qatar Insurance Company S.A.Q (QIC) on its acquisition of Antares Holdings Limited, a leading Lloyd’s specialist insurer and reinsurer with a particular focus in Property, Casualty, Marine and Aviation underwriting. The transaction signed on 13 February.

QIC is a publicly listed insurer with a market capitalisation in excess of US$ 2.9 billion; and an underwriting footprint across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. QIC is the market leader in Qatar and a dominant insurer in the GCC & MENA region. More >>

Global legal practice Norton Rose Fulbright has advised J.P. Morgan and Bank of America Merill Lynch as global coordinators on EUR 900 million high-yield bond offering of P4 Sp. z o.o. (Polish Mobile Network Operator MNO operating under the ”PLAY” brand). The funds raised were used for refinancing PLAY’s existing funding arrangements and distribution to PLAY’s shareholders. The debt offering comprised EUR 600 million fixed rate senior secured notes due in 2019, PLN 130 million (EUR 30 million) floating rate senior secured notes due in 2019 and EUR 270 million fixed rate senior notes due in 2019.

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The Firm recently represented BMO Capital Markets and Deutsche Bank Securities in connection with the 144A and Regulation S offering of $425 million aggregate principal amount of 10.75% Senior Secured Notes issued by Westmoreland Escrow Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Westmoreland Coal Company (“Westmoreland”).

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Clifford Chance advises Shell on the sale of its Retail, Supply & Distribution, Logistics and Aviation businesses in Italy to Kuwait Petroleum International

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance announces it has advised Shell on an agreement in the sale of shares in the companies containing the Retail, Supply & Distribution, Logistics and Aviation businesses in Italy to the affiliates of Kuwait Petroleum International. Shell’s retail network includes over 830 retail sites and under the agreement it will be re-branded to Q8. The sale is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to complete in 2014.

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On February 19, 2014, Signet Jewelers Limited, the largest specialty retail jeweler in the U.S. and the UK, and Zale Corporation, a leading specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Signet to acquire all of the issued and outstanding stock of Zale for $21.00 per share in cash consideration, representing an enterprise value of approximately US$1.4 billion. Cravath represented Zale in connection with this transaction, which is subject to Zale stockholder approval, certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

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Davis Polk is advising J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as financial adviser to Signet Jewelers Limited in connection with its approximately $1.4 billion acquisition of Zale Corporation. The transaction is subject to approval by Zale’s stockholders, certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

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Dentons acted as legal counsel to Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A., Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A., BRE Bank S.A., ING Bank Śląski S.A. on the PLN 495 million (approx. US$162 million) multipurpose financing to Inter Cars S.A., the biggest automotive spare parts distributor for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and trucks in Middle-Eastern Europe.

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