Danone - DANOY STOCK NEWS

Danone's Shareholders’ Meeting took place on April 29, 2021, with 64.09% of capital represented. All resolutions were approved, including the financial statements for 2020 and a proposed cash dividend of €1.94 per share, reflecting an 8% decrease from 2019. The ex-dividend date is May 10, 2021. Additionally, the Board's committee compositions were updated, and the capital increase program for employees was extended, allowing a 20% discount on shares. Danone aims for B Corp certification by 2025 and generated €23.6 billion in sales in 2020.

In the first quarter of 2021, Danone reported consolidated sales of €5.657 billion, reflecting a decline of -3.3% on a like-for-like basis and a -9.4% drop in reported sales, primarily due to currency impacts and Covid-related challenges. The company anticipates a return to like-for-like growth in Q2 and profitable growth by H2 2021. Key segments saw mixed performance: Essential Dairy and Plant-based grew by +1.6%, while Specialized Nutrition fell by -7.7%. Management changes include the appointment of interim co-CEOs, with a search for a permanent CEO underway.

Danone has reported its total number of shares and voting rights as of March 31, 2021. It holds a total of 686,629,600 shares. The total number of theoretical voting rights stands at 712,709,996, while the total number of exercisable voting rights is 675,876,306. This information is provided in compliance with the French Commercial Code and AMF regulations.

Danone has announced its Combined Shareholders’ Meeting scheduled for April 29, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. (Paris time) to be held behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Shareholders can access the meeting via a live webcast on the company's website. An additional agenda item requested by several shareholders has been included, with relevant details available in an addendum. Voting is encouraged to be conducted electronically. Written questions from shareholders must be submitted by April 27, 2021.

Danone has filed its 2020 Universal Registration Document with the French Financial Markets Authority on March 18, 2021. This document includes key components such as:

• Annual Financial Report
• Board of Directors’ report on governance
• Share buyback program
• Management report with non-financial performance statement

The document is available for public access on Danone's website. Additionally, draft resolutions for the upcoming Shareholders’ Meeting on April 29, 2021, can also be found online.

The Danone Combined Shareholders’ Meeting is scheduled for April 29, 2021, at 2:30 pm (Paris time), to be held behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions. Shareholders can participate via a live webcast on the company's website. The Board has decided to pause the nominations of Ariane Gorin and Susan Roberts and will only propose renewals for existing Directors, including Guido Barilla and Serpil Timuray. Additionally, the planned Capital Market Event for March 25 has been canceled. Details regarding voting procedures will be published in early April.

The Board of Danone announces significant governance changes, with Emmanuel Faber stepping down as Chairman and CEO. Gilles Schnepp has been appointed as the new non-executive Chairman, while Véronique Penchienati-Bosetta and Shane Grant will jointly lead the company during the search for a new CEO. The Board aims to maintain Danone's commitment to sustainable practices and high performance. Gilles Schnepp emphasized the importance of effective governance and thanked Faber for his contributions, highlighting Danone's strong foundation for future growth.

Danone has released its consolidated financial statements and the statutory auditors’ report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. These documents are available for public access on Danone's official website, under the Investors / Regulated Information section. In 2020, Danone achieved sales of €23.6 billion. The company focuses on health-oriented products across three main segments: Essential Dairy & Plant-Based, Waters, and Specialized Nutrition. Danone aims for B Corp™ certification by 2025 and operates sustainably, highlighted by its 'One Planet. One Health' initiative.

On March 1, 2021, Danone's Board of Directors announced its unanimous support for Emmanuel Faber, who will separate the roles of Chairman and CEO. This decision comes as part of a governance review and will allow Faber to focus on his role as non-executive Chairman once a new CEO is appointed. The Board is also strengthening governance by appointing Gilles Schnepp as Vice-Chairman, and Jean-Michel Severino as Lead Independent Director. This restructuring aims to support Danone's 'Local First' adaptation plan, which is designed to enhance operational efficiency and growth.