DANONE S/ADR - DANOY STOCK NEWS

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.

Danone has released comprehensive information regarding their voting rights and shares as of February 28, 2021. The company's total number of shares stands at 686,629,600, with a total of 712,723,956 theoretical voting rights and 675,890,266 exercisable voting rights. This data complies with Article L. 233-8 II of the French Commercial Code and aims to keep stakeholders informed about the ownership structure and governance aspects of the company.

Danone has agreed to convert its 9.8% indirect stake in Mengniu, a leading Chinese dairy company, into a direct holding as part of a portfolio review. This conversion is the first step towards a potential divestiture of the stake, which has a book value of approximately €850 million and contributed €57 million to recurring income in 2019. The transaction requires regulatory approval, and Danone plans to return most proceeds to shareholders through a buyback program. The company remains committed to its operations in China.

Danone reported its FY 2020 results, showing a net sales decline of 1.5% like-for-like, totaling €23.62bn. Despite challenges from COVID-19, Essential Dairy and Plant-based (EDP) grew 3.4%, while Specialized Nutrition and Waters faced significant headwinds. Recurring EPS fell 13% to €3.34, although reported EPS rose 1.2% to €2.99. A €1bn savings plan is in place to support innovation and brand growth. The company anticipates recovery in Q2 2021, with FY recurring operating margin expected to align with 2020 levels. Additionally, Danone announced plans to acquire Follow Your Heart, enhancing its plant-based portfolio.

Danone disclosed the total number of voting rights and shares as of January 31, 2021. The company reported a total of 686,629,600 shares and 712,722,584 theoretical voting rights, with 675,888,894 exercisable voting rights. This information complies with French regulations, ensuring transparency in shareholding thresholds. The distinction between theoretical and exercisable voting rights is highlighted, where the former includes shares with suspended voting rights.