12th Mar 2007 08:30
Unilever PLC12 March 2007 UNILEVER ANNOUNCES COMMENCEMENT OF SHARE BUY-BACK PROGRAMME Unilever today announces the commencement of its share buy-back programme. This follows the company's announcement on 8 February 2007 of its plan to buyback ordinary shares up to an aggregate market value of Euro 1.5 billion in2007. The purpose of the share buy-back programme is to provide a flexible route forreturning cash to shareholders, over and above regular annual dividends. The buy-back may be of either Unilever NV shares, Unilever PLC shares or anycombination of the two. The buy-back will take place within the limitations ofthe authority which has been granted or will be granted to the Boards by therespective general meetings of shareholders. Any share purchases during close periods will be made according to irrevocablemandates issued prior to the periods concerned. About Unilever Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs fornutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good,look good and get more out of life. Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goodswith strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Itsportfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brandsincluding twelve €1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories inwhich the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as: Knorr,Hellmann's, Lipton, Blue Band, Flora/Becel, Bertolli; Dove, Lux, Pond's, Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure; Skip/Persil; Cif and Domestos. Unilever has around 206,000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generatedannual sales of €40 billion in 2005. For more information about Unilever andits brands, please visit www.unilever.com. SAFE HARBOUR STATEMENT: This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States PrivateSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'expects','anticipates', 'intends' or the negative of these terms and other similarexpressions of future performance or results, including financial objectives to2010, and their negatives are intended to identify such forward-lookingstatements. These forward-looking statements are based upon currentexpectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and otherfactors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are theyguarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statementsinvolve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could causeactual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by theseforward-looking statements, including, among others, competitive pricing andactivities, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage keycustomer relationships and supply chain sources, currency values, interestrates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures,physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax andlegal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative,fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions inthe geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities ofthe Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting theGroup are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange,Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including theAnnual Report & Accounts on Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speakonly as of the date of this announcement. Except as required by any applicablelaw or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertakingto release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statementscontained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regardthereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any suchstatement is based. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Unilever