Approval of the share capital reduction and return of 2 euros per share to all shareholders.
As a result the nominal value of CCHBC shares will be reduced from 2.50 euros to 0.50 euros. The company's new share capital will therefore be 118,334,298 euros divided into 236,668,596 common bearer shares each with a nominal value of 0.50 euros.
The reduction to the share capital and the nominal value has now been approved by the Ministry of Development (decision Κ2-14226/10.11.2003) The Athens Stock Exchange was informed in its board meeting of November 14, 2003 of the share capital decrease and the change in CCHBC's share nominal value.
Coca-Cola HBC's Board of Directors has set the record date for the capital return on Friday November 28, 2003. As from Monday December 1, 2003 the company's shares will be trading on the Athens Stock Exchange with the new nominal value of 0.50 euro each and ex-capital return right.
Share capital return payments will begin on Friday 5 December 2003 through submission of the relevant Central Securities Depository certificates by shareholders or their brokers or financial institutions. The share capital return payments will take place through the EFG Eurobank Ergasias branch network until 30 June 2004. After this date, payment will only be made through the Company's Central Offices.
Brokers and financial institutions that represent shareholders are kindly requested to contact Mrs Kiki Alafogianni at EFG Eurobank Ergasias, Trustee Directorate, Corporate Action Department, 5 Santaroza, 3rd floor, Athens tel: 210 335 7149.
For the share capital return payment shareholders need to submit the following:
- Central Securities Depository Certificate of beneficiary ownership of Bearer Securities share capital return
- Police Department Identification Card
- Tax Registration Number and the relevant Tax Office
Payment of the share capital return will only be made to a third party if a power-of-attorney of the beneficiary including the above documents is submitted and verified for signature authenticity by the Police or other Authority.
Coca-Cola HBC is one of the world's largest bottlers of products of The Coca-Cola Company and has operations in 26 countries serving a population of more than 500 million people. CCHBC shares are listed on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE: EEEK), with secondary listings on the London (LSE: CCB) and Australian (ASX: CHB) Stock Exchanges. CCHBC's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CCH).