Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
London - Unilever PLC announces the commencement of its
programme to buy back shares with an aggregate market value
equivalent of up to €3 billion.
On 29 April 2021, Unilever PLC announced its
first quarter results and a share buyback programme of up to
€3 billion to be completed by the end of this
year.
The first tranche of this buyback programme (the "Initial
Programme") will commence on 6 May 2021 and will be for an
aggregate market value equivalent to €1.5 billion which will
be bought back in the form of Unilever PLC ordinary
shares.
Any further tranches of the buyback programme, which may be
conducted after completion of the Initial Programme, will be
announced in due course.
The Initial Programme, the purpose of which is to reduce the
capital of Unilever PLC, will take place within the limitations of
the authority granted to the Board of Unilever PLC by its general
meeting, held on 5th May 2021, pursuant to which the maximum number
of shares to be bought back by Unilever PLC is
262,811,000.
The Initial Programme will commence on 6 May 2021 and will end on
or before 27 August 2021.
Unilever PLC has entered into non-discretionary instructions with
UBS AG, London Branch to conduct the Initial Programme on its
behalf and to make trading decisions under the Initial Programme
independently of Unilever PLC.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including
'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such
as 'will', 'aim', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'looks',
'believes', 'vision', or the negative of these terms and other
similar expressions of future performance or results, and their
negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current
expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and
other factors affecting the Unilever Group (the 'Group'). They are
not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future
performance.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements. Among other risks and
uncertainties, the material or principal factors which could cause
actual results to differ materially are: Unilever's global brands
not meeting consumer preferences; Unilever's ability to innovate
and remain competitive; Unilever's investment choices in its
portfolio management; the effect of climate change on Unilever's
business; Unilever's ability to find sustainable solutions to its
plastic packaging; significant changes or deterioration in customer
relationships; the recruitment and retention of talented employees;
disruptions in our supply chain and distribution; increases or
volatility in the cost of raw materials and commodities; the
production of safe and high quality products; secure and reliable
IT infrastructure; execution of acquisitions, divestitures and
business transformation projects; economic, social and political
risks and natural disasters; financial risks; failure to meet high
and ethical standards; and managing regulatory, tax and legal
matters. A number of these risks have increased as a result of the
current Covid-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any
applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any
obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or
revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto
or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any
such statement is based.
Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the
Group are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock
Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange
Commission, including in the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2020 and
the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2020 available on our
corporate website.
Dates Referenced Herein and Documents Incorporated by Reference