SEC Info  
    Home      Search      My Interests      Help      Sign In      Please Sign In

Nestle SA – ‘424B3’ on 7/3/08

On:  Thursday, 7/3/08, at 9:39am ET   ·   Accession #:  1193805-8-1663   ·   File #:  333-150565

Find Words in Filings emoji
 
  in    Show  and   Hints

  As Of                Filer                Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size              Issuer               Agent

 7/03/08  Nestle SA                         424B3                  1:81K                                    E-Data Systems, Inc./FA

Prospectus   —   Rule 424(b)(3)
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 424B3       Prospectus                                            23    104K 

424B31st Page of 23TOCTopPreviousNextBottomJust 1st
 

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) Registration Statement on Form F-6 Reg. No. 333-150565 [FORM OF ADR] Number _____________ CUSIP NUMBER: _______ American Depositary Shares (one (1) American Depositary Share representing one (1) fully paid registered share AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT for AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES representing DEPOSITED REGISTERED SHARES of NESTLE S.A. (Incorporated under the laws of Switzerland) CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary (the "Depositary"), hereby certifies that ________________________ is the owner of ______________ American Depositary Shares (hereinafter "ADS"), representing deposited registered shares, including evidence of rights to receive such registered shares (the "Shares"), of Nestle S.A., a corporation organized under the laws of Switzerland (the "Company"). As of the date hereof, one (1) ADS represents one (1) Share deposited under the Deposit Agreement with the Custodian, which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is Citibank, N.A., Zurich (the "Custodian"). The ADS(s)-to-Share(s) ratio is subject to amendment as provided in Articles IV and VI of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary's Corporate Agency Office is located at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, U.S.A. The Depositary's principal executive office is located at 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022. (1) The Deposit Agreement. This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts (hereinafter "ADR" or "Receipt"), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2007 (as further amended and supplemented from time to time, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of the Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting a Receipt becomes bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. The Deposit 1
424B32nd Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 2nd
Agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADRs and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property and cash are herein called "Deposited Securities"). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Corporate Agency Office of the Depositary and with the Custodian. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and applicable ADR(s), and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof. The statements made on the face and reverse of this ADR are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association of the Company (as in effect on the date of the signing of the Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the ADSs into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of ADSs held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable to such ADSs. (2) Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. The Holder of this ADR (and of the ADSs evidenced hereby) shall be entitled to Delivery (at the Custodian's designated office) of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (i) the Holder (or a duly-authorized attorney of the Holder) has duly Delivered to the Depositary at its Corporate Agency Office the ADSs evidenced hereby and this ADR for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented hereby, (ii) if so required by the Depositary, this ADR delivered to the Depositary for such purpose has been properly endorsed in blank or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) if so required by the Depositary, the Holder of the ADSs has executed and delivered to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in such order, and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 of, and Exhibit B to, the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this ADR evidencing the surrendered ADSs, of the Deposit Agreement, of the Company's Articles of Association and of any applicable laws and the rules of SIS, and to any provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof. 2
424B33rd Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 3rd
Upon satisfaction of each of the conditions specified above, the Depositary (i) shall cancel the ADSs Delivered to it (and, if applicable, the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs so Delivered), (ii) shall direct the Registrar to record the cancellation of the ADSs so Delivered, and (iii) shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the Custodian's designated office the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs so canceled together with any certificate or other document of title for the Deposited Securities, or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available), as the case may be, to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in the order delivered to the Depositary for such purpose, subject however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, of this ADR, of the Articles of Association of the Company, of any applicable laws and the rules of the SIS, and to the terms and conditions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof. The Depositary shall not accept for surrender ADSs representing less than one Share. In the case of Delivery to it of ADSs representing a number other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) return to the person surrendering such ADSs the number of ADSs representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Share represented by the ADSs so surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the person surrendering the ADSs. Notwithstanding anything else contained in this ADR or the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may make delivery at the Corporate Agency Office of the Depositary of (i) any cash dividends or cash distributions, or (ii) any proceeds from the sale of any distributions of securities or rights, in each case, which are at the time held by the Depositary in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs surrendered for cancellation and withdrawal. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering ADSs represented by this ADR, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held by the Custodian in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Agency Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. (3) Transfer, Combination and Split-Up of ADRs. The Registrar shall register the transfer of this ADR (and of the ADSs represented hereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall (x) cancel this ADR and execute new ADRs evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by this ADR when canceled by the Depositary, (y) cause the Registrar to countersign such new ADRs and (z) Deliver such new ADRs to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) this ADR has been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Corporate Agency Office for the purpose of effecting a transfer hereof, (ii) this ADR has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) this ADR has been duly stamped (if required by the laws of the State of New York or of the United States), and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and 3
424B34th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 4th
governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 of, and Exhibit B to, the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this ADR, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law, in each case as in effect at the time thereof. The Registrar shall register the split-up or combination of this ADR (and of the ADSs represented hereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall (x) cancel this ADR and execute new ADRs evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by this ADR when canceled by the Depositary, (y) cause the Registrar to countersign such new ADRs and (z) Deliver such new ADRs to or upon the order of the Holder thereof, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) this ADR has been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Corporate Agency Office for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination hereof, and (ii) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 of, and Exhibit B to, the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this ADR, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law, in each case as in effect at the time thereof. (4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, the registration of issuance, transfer, split-up, combination or surrender, of any ADR, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, the Company or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of ADSs or of an ADR of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of, and Exhibit B to, the Deposit Agreement and in this ADR, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of ADRs or ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, (B) the provisions of the Company's Articles of Association as in effect from time to time and applicable resolutions or regulations of the Company's board of directors adopted pursuant to Swiss law and such Articles of Association and (C) such reasonable regulations as the Depositary and the Company may establish consistent with the provisions of this ADR, the Deposit Agreement and applicable law. The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the deposit of particular Shares may be refused, or the registration of transfer of ADRs in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of ADRs generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Company, the Depositary, a Registrar or the Share Registrar are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange on which the Shares or ADSs are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, or under any provision of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or because of a meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to Section (24) hereof. 4
424B35th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 5th
Notwithstanding any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR to the contrary, Holders are entitled to surrender outstanding ADSs to withdraw the Deposited Securities at any time subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and (iv) other circumstances specifically contemplated by Instruction I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 under the Securities Act (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time). (5) Compliance With Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with requests from the Company pursuant to applicable Swiss law, the rules and requirements of SWX Swiss Exchange, and of any other stock exchange on which Shares or ADSs are, or will be, registered, traded or listed, the Articles of Association of the Company as in effect from time to time or resolutions and regulations of the Company's board of directors adopted pursuant to Swiss law and such Articles of Association, which are made to provide information, inter alia, as to the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs (and Shares, as the case may be) and regarding the identity of any other person(s) interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owners at the time of such request. (6) Ownership Restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision of this ADR or of the Deposit Agreement, the Company may restrict transfers of the Shares where such transfer might result in ownership of Shares exceeding limits imposed by applicable law or the Articles of Association of the Company. The Company may also restrict, in such manner as it deems appropriate, transfers of ADSs where such transfer may result in the total number of Shares represented by the ADSs owned by a single Holder or Beneficial Owner to exceed any such limits. The Company may, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of the limits set forth in the preceding sentence, including but not limited to, the imposition of restrictions on the transfer of ADSs, the removal or limitation of voting rights or a mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the ADSs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Articles of Association of the Company. Each Holder shall be deemed, by holding an ADS or owning a beneficial interest therein, to consent to and agree to be bound by the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities (including, without limitation, provisions of Swiss law, the Company's Articles of Association as in effect from time to time and resolutions and regulations of the Company's board of directors adopted pursuant to provisions of Swiss law or such Articles of Association) including, without limitation, those which require the disclosure of beneficial or other ownership of Deposited Securities, other Shares and other securities and the address and nationality of each Holder to the Company or impose limitations on 5
424B36th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 6th
the voting thereof and on the inscription thereof on the register of Shares with voting rights and to agree that the Company may provide for blocking voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or enforce compliance with such limitations. The Depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to comply with the Company's instructions as to Receipts in respect of any such enforcement and Holders and all persons taking and holding Receipts thereby shall comply with all such disclosure requirements and such limitations and shall cooperate with the Depositary's compliance with such Company instructions. The right of Holders to direct the voting of Deposited Securities shall be conditioned on the disclosure to the Company of the information referred to in this Section (6). Subject to certain exceptions provided by the Swiss Code of Obligations, the Company's Articles of Association or as may be permitted by the board of directors of the Company, no shareholder of the Company may for the aggregate number of Shares held or represented by such holder, directly or indirectly, exercise voting rights in respect of more than 5% of the total share capital of the Company. In addition, subject to certain exceptions as set forth above, no person may be registered as a shareholder of the Company with a right to vote for Shares which it holds, directly or indirectly, in excess of 5% of the share capital of the Company. Legal entities that are linked to one another through shareholding, voting rights, management or in any other manner, as well as natural persons or legal entities acting in concert with a view to circumventing such limit, are counted as one shareholder or person for these purposes. (7) Liability of Holder for Taxes and Other Charges. Any tax or other governmental charge payable with respect to any ADR or any Deposited Securities or ADSs shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of a Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or charges, the Holder and the Beneficial Owner remaining liable for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver ADRs, to register the transfer of ADSs, to register the split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Section (24) hereof) to process requests for the withdrawal of Deposited Securities until it receives payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, and any of their agents, officers, employees and Affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any tax benefit obtained for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner. (8) Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares. Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized, validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, non-assessable and legally obtained by such person, (ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, (v) the Shares presented for deposit are not, and the ADSs issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities (except as contemplated in Section 2.13 of the Deposit Agreement), and (vi) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights 6
424B37th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 7th
or entitlements. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares, the issuance and cancellation of ADSs in respect thereof and the transfer of such ADSs. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and the Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof. (9) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit, and any Holder and any Beneficial Owner, may be required, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary and the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, to execute such certifications and to make such representations and warranties, and to provide such other information and documentation (or, in the case of Shares in registered form presented for deposit, such information relating to the registration of Shares on the books of the Company or of the Share Registrar) as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s). The Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or delivery or registration of transfer of any ADR or ADS or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or, to the extent not limited by Section (24) hereof, the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations are made, or such other documentation or information is provided, in each case to the Depositary's, the Registrar's and the Company's satisfaction. (10) Charges of Depositary. The Depositary shall charge the following fees: (i) Issuance Fee: to any person depositing Shares or to whom ADSs are issued upon the deposit of Shares (excluding issuances pursuant to paragraph (iv) below), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement; (ii) Cancellation/Delivery Fee: to any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or any person to whom Deposited Securities are delivered, a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so surrendered; (iii) Cash Distribution Fee: to any Holder of ADSs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) held for the distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions (i.e., upon the sale of rights and other entitlements) under the terms of the Deposit Agreement; (iv) Stock Distribution /Rights Exercise Fee: to any Holder of ADSs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued pursuant to stock dividends or other free stock distributions or upon the exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs; 7
424B38th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 8th
(iv) Other Distribution Fee: to any Holder of ADSs receiving a distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per unit of 100 securities (or fraction thereof) distributed; (vi) Annual Depositary Services Fee: to any Holder of ADSs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) held on the last day of each calendar year, except to the extent of any cash dividend fee(s) charged under paragraph (iii) above during that calendar year; and (vii) ADR Transfer Fee: to any person presenting an ADR for transfer, a fee not in excess of U.S. $1.50 per ADR so presented for transfer. In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges: (i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges; (ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively; (iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs; (iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency; (v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and (vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, the Custodian or any nominee in connection with the delivery or servicing of Deposited Securities. 8
424B39th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 9th
Any other charges and expenses of the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be paid by the Company upon agreement between the Depositary and the Company. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by Section (22) of this ADR. The Depositary will provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary. (11) Title to ADRs. It is a condition of this ADR, and every successive Holder of this ADR by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this ADR (and to each ADS evidenced hereby) shall be transferable upon the same terms as a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York; provided, that the ADR has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary and the Company may deem and treat the Holder of this ADR (that is, the person in whose name this ADR is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation nor be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this ADR to any holder of this ADR or any beneficial owner unless such holder is the Holder of this ADR registered on the books of the Depositary or, in the case of a beneficial owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owner's representative is the Holder registered on the books of the Depositary. (12) Validity of ADR. The Holder(s) of this ADR (and the ADSs represented hereby) shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company unless this ADR has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Registrar, and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Registrar for the registration of issuances and transfers of ADRs. ADRs bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such ADR by the Depositary. (13) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books. The Company furnishes the Commission with certain public reports and documents required by foreign law or otherwise under Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Exchange Act. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Corporate Agency Office of the Depositary. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Holders at its Corporate Agency Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. The Registrar shall keep books for the registration of issuances and transfers of ADRs which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such ADRs, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Registrar's knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such ADRs in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the ADRs. 9
424B310th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 10th
The Registrar may close the transfer books with respect to the ADRs, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Section (24) hereof. Dated: CITIBANK, N.A. CITIBANK, N.A. Transfer Agent and Registrar as Depositary By: _______________________________ By: _______________________________ Authorized Signatory Authorized Signatory The address of the Corporate Agency Office of the Depositary is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, U.S.A. The principal executive office of the Depositary is located at 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022. 10
424B311th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 11th
[FORM OF REVERSE OF ADR] SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (14) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of the receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Deposited Securities or any other entitlements held in respect of Deposited Securities under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will (i) if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can, in the judgment of the Depositary (pursuant to Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such cash dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (on the terms described in Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement), (ii) if applicable, establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9 of the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the Holders entitled thereto as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be held by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and become part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to Holders of ADSs outstanding at the time of the next distribution. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall, subject to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date and either (i) the Depositary shall, subject to Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in the aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the other terms of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional integral number of Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (b) taxes). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds upon the terms set forth in the Deposit Agreement. 11
424B312th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 12th
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, if the Company in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement has furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of (a) taxes and (b) fees and charges of, and the expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement. Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary shall, upon consultation with the Company, determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (on the terms described in Section (16)) and establish procedures to enable Holders to elect the receipt of the proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to receive the proposed distribution in cash, the distribution shall be made as in the case of a distribution in cash upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be made as in the case of a distribution in Shares upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. If such elective distribution is not reasonably practicable or if the Depositary did not receive satisfactory documentation set forth in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in Switzerland in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares, in each case, upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the elective distribution in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares. Upon timely receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes rights to subscribe for additional Shares to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary, upon consultation with the Company, shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of rights is reasonably practicable. If any of the conditions are not satisfied or if the Company requests that the rights not be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions 12
424B313th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 13th
set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the terms described in Section 4.9 of the Deposit Agreement) and establish procedures (x) to distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs (by means of warrants or otherwise), (y) to enable the Holders to exercise such rights (upon payment of the subscription price and of the applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes), and (z) to deliver ADSs upon the valid exercise of such rights. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs). If (i) the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive satisfactory documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines it is not reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a riskless principal capacity, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem practicable. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes) upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above, the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act (or other applicable law) covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders of ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges. There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive or exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or be able to exercise such 13
424B314th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 14th
rights. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights. Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary, upon consultation with the Company, shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record, as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by them respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes withheld. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution. If any of the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem practicable and shall (i) cause the proceeds of such sale, if any, to be converted into Dollars and (ii) distribute the proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes) to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property for the account of the Holders in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances. (15) Redemption. Upon timely receipt of (i) notice from the Company that it intends to exercise its right of redemption in respect of any of the Deposited Securities, and (ii) satisfactory opinions of counsel and upon determining, in consultation with the Company, that such proposed redemption is practicable, the Depositary shall (to the extent practicable) provide to each Holder a notice setting forth the Company's intention to exercise the redemption rights and any other particulars set forth in the Company's notice to the Depositary. Upon receipt of confirmation that the redemption has taken place and that funds representing the redemption price have been received, the Depositary shall convert, transfer, and distribute the proceeds (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (b) taxes), retire ADSs and cancel ADRs, if applicable, upon delivery of such ADSs by Holders thereof and upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. If less than all outstanding Deposited Securities are redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as may be determined by the Depositary. The redemption price per ADS shall be the Dollar equivalent of the per share amount received by the Depositary (adjusted to reflect the ADS(s)-to-Share(s) ratio) upon the redemption of the Deposited Securities represented by ADSs (subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes) multiplied by the number of Deposited Securities represented by each ADS redeemed. 14
424B315th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 15th
(16) Fixing of ADS Record Date. Whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of the fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of holders of Deposited Securities entitled to receive any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies of, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date ("ADS Record Date") for the determination of the Holders of ADSs who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, to give or withhold such consent, to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each ADS. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this ADR and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of ADSs at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distributions, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action. (17) Voting of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy in accordance with Section 4.9 of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been timely received by the Depositary), at the Company's expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, distribute to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy, (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the Articles of Association of the Company and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder's ADSs, and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given, including an indication that Holders for which the Depositary has not timely received specific voting instructions will be deemed, and the Depositary shall deem such Holders, to have given a proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders' ADSs (unless the Company informs the Depositary otherwise) in favor of the motions and recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Company. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, the Depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by law, regulations or applicable stock exchange requirements, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the Depositary in connection with any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies from, holders of Deposited Securities, distribute to the Holder of ADSs a notice that provides such Holder with a means to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials). 15
424B316th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 16th
Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of ADSs representing an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt from a Holder of ADSs as of the ADS Record Date of voting instructions in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the Articles of Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to vote, or cause the Custodian to vote, the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by such Holder's ADSs in accordance with such voting instructions. Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of the Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with the voting instructions timely received from Holders or as otherwise contemplated herein. Deposited Securities represented by ADSs, for which no specific voting instructions are timely received by the Depositary from the Holder shall be voted in favor of all motions or recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, that no such Deposited Securities represented by ADSs shall be so voted or deemed to be represented at the meeting with respect to any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to provide such information promptly in writing) that the Company does not wish such Deposited Securities represented by ADSs voted. On the business day following the date fixed by the Depositary as the last date for delivery of voting instructions, the Depositary shall give notice to the Company of (a) the voting instructions received by the Depositary from the Holders and (b) the ADSs (and the Deposited Securities represented thereby) with respect to which no specific voting instructions from Holders have been timely received, in each case, as of the close of business as of such fixed date. Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Deposit Agreement or any Receipt, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with respect to any meeting, or solicitation of consents or proxies, of holders of Deposited Securities if the taking of such action would violate U.S. laws. The Company agrees to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to enable Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing to the Deposited Securities and to deliver to the Depositary an opinion of U.S. counsel addressing any actions requested to be taken if so requested by the Depositary. There can be no assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner. (18) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in nominal or par value, split-up, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement of or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the ADRs shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. The Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (and, if reasonably requested by the Depositary after consultation with the Company, receipt of an opinion of counsel to the Company reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that 16
424B317th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 17th
such distributions are not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations), execute and deliver additional ADRs as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding ADRs to be exchanged for new ADRs, in either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary modifications to the form of ADR contained in Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities or corporate change. The Company agrees to, jointly with the Depositary, amend the Registration Statement on Form F-6 as filed with the Commission to permit the issuance of such new form of ADRs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject, if reasonably requested by the Depositary after consultation with the Company, to receipt of an opinion of Company's counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that such action is not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among such Holders and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities. (19) Exoneration. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or incur any liability (i) if the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, Switzerland or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Articles of Association of the Company or any provision of or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement or in the Articles of Association of the Company or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information, (iv) for the inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of ADSs or (v) for any consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The 17
424B318th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 18th
Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents, any Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR. (20) Standard of Care. The Company and the Depositary assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this ADR to any Holder(s) or Beneficial Owner(s), except that the Company and the Depositary agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement and this ADR without gross negligence or bad faith. Without limitation of the foregoing, neither the Depositary, nor the Company, nor any of their respective controlling persons, or agents, shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the ADSs, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be required (and no Custodian shall be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary). The Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote; provided, that any such action or omission is in good faith and in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of Section 4.4(c) of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company. (21) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective upon the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement), or (ii) the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal, which removal shall be effective on the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement), or (ii) the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall be required by the Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by applicable law), shall become fully 18
424B319th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 19th
vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor (other than as contemplated in Sections 5.8 and 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement). The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in Sections 5.8 and 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding ADRs and such other information relating to ADRs and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly provide notice of its appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act. (22) Amendment/Supplement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 22, the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, the ADRs outstanding at any time, the form of ADR attached to the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the prior written consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding ADSs until the expiration of thirty (30) days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding ADSs. The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs to be settled solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADSs, to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such ADSs and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require an amendment of, or supplement to, the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and this ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement and this ADR in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, rules or regulations. (23) Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by providing notice of such termination to the Holders of all ADRs then outstanding at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. If ninety (90) days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to 19
424B320th Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 20th
the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided herein and in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by providing notice of such termination to the Holders of all ADRs then outstanding at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Holder of an ADR will, upon surrender of such ADR at the Corporate Agency Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of ADSs referred to in Section (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such ADR. If any ADRs shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of ADRs, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for ADSs represented by such ADR surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of an ADS, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders whose ADRs have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement with respect to the ADRs, the ADSs and the Deposited Securities, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of an ADS evidenced by such ADR, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement. (24) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any provision in this ADR or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Instruction I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act. (25) Certain Rights of the Depositary; Limitations. Subject to the further terms and provisions of this Section (25), the Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities 20
424B321st Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 21st
of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Such evidence of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific guarantees of ownership of Shares. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that the Depositary may (i) issue ADSs pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Deposit Agreement prior to the deposit of Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Deposit Agreement, including ADSs which were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not have been received (each such transaction a "Pre-Release Transaction"). The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under (ii) above. Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) subject to a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the "Applicant") to whom ADSs or Shares are to be delivered (w) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (x) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (y) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or ADSs and (z) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days' notice and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release Transactions at any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding (without giving effect to ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not the earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the Applicant). 21
424B322nd Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 22nd
(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES) FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto __________________________ whose taxpayer identification number is _________________ and whose address including postal zip code is ________________, the within ADR and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ________________________ attorney-in-fact to transfer said ADR on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated: Name: ______________________________________ By: Title: NOTICE: The signature of the Holder to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. If the endorsement be executed by an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, the person executing the endorsement must give his/her full title in such capacity and proper evidence of authority to act in such capacity, if not on file with the Depositary, must be forwarded with this ADR. __________________________ SIGNATURE GUARANTEED All endorsements or assignments of ADSs must be guaranteed by a member of a Medallion Signature Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc. Legends [The ADSs issued in respect of Partial Entitlement American Depositary Shares shall bear the following legend on the face of the ADR: "This ADR evidences ADSs representing `partial entitlement' registered shares of Nestle S.A. and as such do not entitle the holders thereof to the same per-share entitlement as other registered shares (which are `full entitlement' registered shares) issued and outstanding at such time. The ADSs represented by this ADR shall entitle holders to distributions and entitlements identical to other ADSs when the registered shares represented by such ADSs become `full entitlement' registered shares."] 22
424B3Last Page of 23TOC1stPreviousNextBottomJust 23rd
NOTICE OF CHANGE OF RATIO FOR NESTLE S.A. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES TO THE HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES ("ADSs") OF NESTLE S.A. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPANY: NESTLE S.A., a company incorporated under the laws of Switzerland. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPOSITARY: CITIBANK, N.A. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPOSITED SECURITIES: Registered Shares of the Company (the "Shares"). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPOSIT AGREEMENT: Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2007 (the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs issued thereunder. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADS CUSIP NO: 641069406 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company is effecting a 10-to-1 split of its Shares in the local market. The record date for the forward split of Shares in the local market is June 27, 2008. As a result of the forward split, each ADS will represent 2.5 Shares. In connection with the Share split, the Company and the Depositary have agreed to further change the ADS to Share ratio ("New Ratio") as follows: Existing Ratio: 4 ADSs to 1 Share Forward Split Ratio: 1 ADS to 2.5 Shares New Ratio (with ADS distribution): 1 ADS to 1 Share The Effective Date for the new ratio is July 3, 2008. In connection with the Share split and the ADS to Share ratio change, existing holders of ADSs will receive 1.5 new ADSs for each ADS held. The Depositary will not issue fractional ADSs. Existing holders of ADSs will receive whole ADSs only. Any entitlement for fractional ADSs will be sold and the net proceeds from such sale will be remitted by the Depositary to the applicable ADS holders. The new ADSs will be issued as "uncertificated ADSs" and will be credited to an account in the name of the ADS holders on the books of the Depositary. A statement reflecting the new ADSs issued to the existing ADS holders will be mailed to ADS holders promptly. Please note that the American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") issued prior to the date hereof, which do not reflect the new ADS to Share ratio, do not need to be exchanged for new ADRs and may remain outstanding until such time the Holder chooses to surrender them for any reason under the Deposit Agreement. If you wish to exchange your ADR(s) for "uncertificated ADSs" please follow the instructions included with the account statement that the Depositary will mail to you. The Company has informed the Depositary that, as a result of a change in the Company's Articles of Association approved by the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on April 10, 2008, the maximum percentage of voting rights a shareholder can exercise was changed from 3% to 5%. If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact Citibank, N.A. at 1-877-248-4237. CITIBANK, N.A., as Depositary June 16, 2008

Dates Referenced Herein

Referenced-On Page
This ‘424B3’ Filing    Date First  Last      Other Filings
Filed on:7/3/0823None on these Dates
6/27/0823
6/16/0823
4/10/0823
5/23/07123
 List all Filings 
Top
Filing Submission 0001193805-08-001663   –   Alternative Formats (Word / Rich Text, HTML, Plain Text, et al.)

Copyright © 2024 Fran Finnegan & Company LLC – All Rights Reserved.
AboutPrivacyRedactionsHelp — Sat., May 4, 1:20:58.1am ET