Unilever N.V. Preference Shar

RNS Number : 5911L

Unilever PLC

10 May 2010

 



POSITION OF MAJOR HOLDERS OF PREFERENCE SHARES ON PROPOSAL TO CANCEL AND BUY BACK EXISTING PREFERENCE SHARES

London, 10 May 2010. - On 29 March 2010, Unilever N.V. announced a proposal to its general meeting of shareholders to improve and simplify its corporate governance and capital structure. Unilever N.V. proposes to cancel the 4% Unilever N.V. cumulative preference shares and to seek authorisation to buy back its 6% en 7% Unilever N.V. cumulative preference shares. Unilever believes these actions will reduce the disproportionate voting rights in relation to the economic value.

Unilever N.V. now announces that it has been notified by the three major holders of these preference shares that they will vote against these proposals in tomorrow's Unilever N.V. general meeting of shareholders. They also do not intend to tender their preference shares in the proposed offer. 

The position of these holders does not change Unilever N.V.'s proposals and given the anticipated wide support of other shareholders, Unilever N.V. is optimistic that the proposals will be approved by the general meeting of shareholders as a whole (although, as before, of course no certainty can be provided on matters within the remit of the Unilever shareholders).

-Ends-

This release relates to Unilever N.V. only (and not to Unilever PLC).

Enquiries:

Unilever                                                

Media: Media Relations Team UK [phone] [e-mail] NL [phone]  [e-mail]

Investors: Investor Relations Team  [phone]  [e-mail] [phone]

About Unilever

 

Unilever works to create a better future every day. We help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others.

We are one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100 countries.  Our portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brands including eleven €1 billion brands, and global leadership in many categories in which we operate. The portfolio features iconic brands such as: Knorr, Lipton, Becel/Flora, Blue Band/Rama/Country Crock, Wall's/OLA/Langnese, Hellmann's, Calvé, Unox, Dove, Pond's, Lux, Axe/Lynx, Sunsilk, Vaseline, Rexona/Sure, Omo, Surf, Cif, and Glorix/Domestos.

We have around 163,000 employees in approaching 100 countries, and generated annual sales of €40 billion in 2009.  For more information about Unilever and its brands, please visit www.unilever.com.

Safe Harbour

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'believes' or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, and their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, competitive pricing and activities, economic slowdown, industry consolidation, access to credit markets, recruitment levels, reputational risks, commodity prices, continued availability of raw materials, prioritisation of projects, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain sources, consumer demands, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures, the ability to complete planned restructuring activities, physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 20-F Report and the Annual Report and Accounts 2009. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

10 May 2010

 

END

 

 

MSCSSEEEUFSSEII