Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc Announces Transfer to ESCC Category

Rhea-AI Summary

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) announces the Financial Conduct Authority's approval to transfer its ordinary shares listing from Equity Shares (Transition) to Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category, effective November 15, 2024. This transfer is a step toward potential FTSE UK Index Series inclusion, subject to meeting liquidity requirements. The company needs to demonstrate a minimum daily trading volume of 0.025% of its traded free float (approximately 51,000 shares or £3.1m) on UK equity trading venues. If liquidity requirements are met between November 2024 and February 2025, CCEP could be eligible for FTSE indexation by March 2025.

Positive

• Potential inclusion in FTSE UK Index Series could increase stock visibility and trading volume
• Successful transfer to Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category indicates regulatory compliance

Negative

• Uncertainty about meeting required liquidity test requirements for FTSE inclusion
• Need to achieve significant daily trading volume (51k shares/£3.1m) on UK venues

Insights

Financial Market Analyst

The transfer of CCEP's listing category to Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) represents a technical but strategically important move. This reclassification, combined with meeting liquidity requirements, could pave the way for inclusion in the prestigious FTSE UK Index Series. The key metric to watch is the daily trading volume requirement of £3.1m worth of shares on UK venues, representing 0.025% of free float.

The potential FTSE inclusion could trigger significant institutional buying, as index-tracking funds would need to add CCEP to their portfolios. However, investors should note that this is not guaranteed and depends on meeting the liquidity test consistently from November 2024 through February 2025. The earliest possible inclusion would be during the March 2025 rebalancing.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A PROSPECTUS OR PROSPECTUS EQUIVALENT DOCUMENT AND NEITHER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT NOR ANYTHING HEREIN FORMS THE BASIS FOR ANY OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR ANY SHARES OR OTHER SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY NOR SHALL IT FORM THE BASIS FOR ANY CONTRACT OR COMMITMENT WHATSOEVER.

UXBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / Further to the announcement on 18 October 2024, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc ("CCEP" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the approval by the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") of the transfer of the listing category of its ordinary shares from the Equity Shares (Transition) category to the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category of the Official List of the FCA (the "Transfer") which became effective at 8:00 a.m. (GMT) today.

Following the transfer and subject to other conditions being met, including a sufficient volume of its trading in the ordinary shares migrating to UK equity trading venues¹, the Company should, subject to FTSE approval, be eligible in due course for admission to the FTSE UK Index Series.

The FTSE UK Index Series Guide to Calculation Method for the Median Liquidity Test ("the Liquidity Test") requires that as a pre-requisite to future FTSE indexation eligibility, a minimum of 0.025% of the Company's traded free float to be traded on UK equity trading venues¹ against the sterling quote over certain periods. This is calculated on a median monthly basis and is currently equivalent to c.51k (or c. £3.1m) ordinary shares per day. Subject to the outcome of the Liquidity Test being satisfactory, in each month from November 2024 up to and including February 2025, the earliest it could be satisfied is ahead of FTSE Russell's quarterly rebalancing review in March 2025. There can be no certainty that the Liquidity Test will be met.

About CCEP
CCEP is one of the world's leading consumer goods companies. We make, move and sell some of the world's most loved brands - serving nearly 600 million consumers and helping over 4 million customers across 31 countries grow. We combine the strength and scale of a large, multi-national business with an expert, local knowledge of the customers we serve and communities we support.

For more information about CCEP, please visit www.cocacolaep.com & follow CCEP on LinkedIn @CCEP. For a copy of CCEP's latest factsheet: Presentation Title (cocacolaep.com)

Enquiries
Corporate broker, joint sponsor and joint financial adviser BNP Paribas: Virginia Khoo virginia.khoo@uk.bnpparibas.com
Corporate broker, joint sponsor and joint financial adviser Deutsche Numis: Lewis Burnett lewis.burnett@dbnumis.com
General Counsel and Company Secretary: Clare Wardle secretariat@ccep.com
Investor Relations: Sarah Willett sarah.willett@ccep.com
Media: ccep@portland-communications.com

¹ Section 2.1.6 of the FTSE UK Index Series Guide to Calculation Method for the Median Liquidity Test, v2.9 October 2024, lists volumes trading on the following venues which will be aggregated for the purpose of the liquidity test; The London Stock Exchange, CBOE CXE, CBOE BXE and CBOE OTC.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains statements, estimates or projections that constitute "forward-looking statements" concerning the financial condition, performance, strategy and objectives of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc and its subsidiaries (together CCEP or the Group). Generally, the words "ambition", "target", "aim", "believe", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", "seek", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might", "will", "forecast", "outlook", "guidance", "possible", "potential", "predict", "objective" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from CCEP's historical experience and present expectations or projections including that there can be no assurance whether or when our ordinary shares will meet the Liquidity Test or be admitted to FTSE UK Index Series. As a result, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.

Due to these risks, CCEP's actual future financial condition, results of operations, and business activities, including its results, dividend payments, capital and leverage ratios, growth, including growth in revenue, cost of sales per unit case and operating profit, free cash flow, market share, tax rate, efficiency savings, achievement of sustainability goals, including net zero emissions and recycling initiatives, capital expenditures, and ability to remain in compliance with existing and future regulatory compliance, may differ materially from the plans, goals, expectations and guidance set out in forward-looking statements. These risks may also adversely affect CCEP's share price. Additional risks that may impact CCEP's future financial condition and performance are identified in filings with the SEC which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. CCEP does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required under applicable rules, laws and regulations. Any or all of the forward-looking statements contained in this filing and in any other of CCEP's public statements may prove to be incorrect.

End.

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SOURCE: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

When did CCEP transfer to the Equity Shares Commercial Companies category?

CCEP transferred to the Equity Shares Commercial Companies category on November 15, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. (GMT).

What trading volume does CCEP need for FTSE UK Index Series eligibility?

CCEP needs a minimum daily trading volume of 0.025% of its traded free float (approximately 51,000 shares or £3.1m) on UK equity trading venues.

When could CCEP potentially join the FTSE UK Index Series?

If liquidity requirements are met between November 2024 and February 2025, CCEP could be eligible for FTSE indexation by March 2025's quarterly rebalancing review.