Macquarie issues the largest single tranche of warrants on the Singapore Exchange

07 December 2004

After issuing its first warrants in November, the Macquarie Bank Group, Australia’s largest investment bank, has announced the issuance of a further 16 structured warrants.

The issuance is the largest single tranche of warrants issued on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“Singapore Exchange”), and are due to commence trading on 14th December 2004.

Explaining the quick succession of launches, Mr Barney Matthews of Macquarie’s Equity Markets Group said, “When investing in warrants investors require  a comprehensive range of products so they can purchase a warrant linked to their chosen share and one which suits their risk profile.  This launch increases to eighteen the number of underlying shares over which  Macquarie has issued warrants”.

Call warrants are to be issued over CapitaLand, City Developments, Creative Technology, DBS Group, Keppel Corp, OCBC, Singapore Airlines, Singapore Press, Singapore Telecommunications, STATS ChiPac, UOB and Venture Corp.  Macquarie has also issued put warrants over Singapore Airlines and Venture Corp.

Macquarie has had a presence in Hong Kong for 10 years and has grown to become the largest issuer of structured warrants with a market share of 29 per cent*. We are very optimistic about the prospects for the warrants market in Singapore and believe our experience can be used to build the local market”, said Mr Matthews.  Macquarie has differentiated itself from other foreign issuers by establishing in Singapore a full service warrants desk.   Matthews says that over the next few months, Macquarie will be committing resources to investor education.

Note to the Editor

In July 2004, the Macquarie Bank Group successfully completed the acquisition of ING’s Asian cash equity business  and rebranded it Macquarie Securities Asia (MSA). MSA operates in 10 Asian locations and the addition of its approximately 450 staff took Macquarie’s Asian-based employees to more than 680, reflecting Macquarie’s continued confidence in Asian markets.  Macquarie is now positioned to provide a broader range of investment banking services across the Asia Pacific region.

The Macquarie Bank Group is a diversified provider of specialist financial and investment services with over 6,000 people in 23 countries. For more than a decade the Macquarie Bank Group has reported successive years of record profits and consistent growth.

* Based on turnover January 2004 to September 2004 in warrants listed on Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and based on information obtained from Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and Macquarie Equities (Asia) Limited as at 25^th November 2004.

For further information, please contact:

Citigate Dewe Rogerson, i.MAGE
Edwina Ong or Yu Poh Leng
Tel:       +65 6534 5122

The information provided herein, is produced by Macquarie Securities (Singapore) Pte  Limited (“MSSPL”) (Registration No 198702912C), holder of a capital markets services licence under the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore. The information is directed and available to residents of Singapore only.

Macquarie Bank Limited  (ABN 46 008 583 542) is the Issuer of the Macquarie Warrants (“Warrants”).  References to Macquarie include Macquarie Bank Limited and MSSPL.   Any other parties distributing this product are only doing so as a distributor for Macquarie Bank Limited.  MSSPL will provide administrative services to Macquarie Bank Limited. Macquarie Bank Limited, does not carry on banking business in Singapore.   Macquarie Bank Limited does not hold a license under the Banking Act, Chapter 19 of Singapore and therefore is not subject to the supervision of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

MSSPL is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act (Commonwealth of Australia), and MSSPL’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited (ABN 46 008 583 542).  Macquarie Bank Limited does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of MSSPL.

The Issuer may enter into discount, commission or fee arrangements with brokers, distributors and/or any of its affiliates with respect to the primary or secondary market in the Warrants.  Warrants can be volatile instruments and may be subject to considerable fluctuations in value.  The issuer makes no representation nor can it give any assurance as to the liquidity in the trading of Warrants as the Designated Market Maker (MSSPL) may be the only person quoting prices in the warrants.  You should consult, to the extent necessary, your own independent, competent, legal, financial and other professional advisers, to ensure that any decision you make is suitable for you with regards to your circumstances and financial position.