Valeo Combined Annual General Shareholders Meeting Notice
Paris (ots/PRNewswire)
- Public Tender Offer for its own Shares at 40 Euros
Following today's meeting of the Valeo Board of Directors, the combined Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) is called on 21 April 2005 (first notice). Failing a quorum, Valeo invites its shareholders to meet on second notice on 3 May 2005 at the Palais des Congres, 75017 Paris at 3pm.
Taking into account the results of the management efforts over the past few years, Valeo considers that it can carry out a strategy of accelerated organic growth, targeted acquisitions such as that recently completed of JCEED and the improvement of its return to shareholders.
In this context, the Board will propose to the AGM a share
purchase program for 250 million euros, which will be carried out
through a public tender offer for its own shares ("Offre Publique de
Rachat d'Actions et Offre Publique d'Achat Simplifiee") at a price of
40 euros after payment of the 2004 dividend. This price of 40 euros
represents a premium of 12.6% compared to today's closing price and
of 21.7% over the last three months' average share price.Moreover, the Board will submit for the approval of the AGM a proposal that share options awarded to senior managers will be in the form of purchase options for which the corresponding shares will be purchased by Valeo on the market in order to avoid any dilution.
In addition, the Board will propose a dividend of 1.1 euros per share, an increase of 4.8% over the previous year. Payment of the dividend is planned on 16 May 2005.
The Board of Directors will propose to the AGM the renewal of the usual financial authorisations.
Mr Pierre-Alain de Smedt has been invited to join the Board of Directors to replace Mr Noel Goutard, who remains Honorary Chairman. The ratification of this appointment will also be proposed to the AGM.
Valeo is an independent industrial group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 129 plants, 65 R&D centers, 9 distribution platforms and employs 67,300 people in 26 countries worldwide.
Contact:
Press/Investors Contact : Kate Philipps, Communications Director,
+33-1-40-55-20-65, Remy Dumoulin, Investor Relations Director,
+33-1-40-55-29-30